Wi-Fi network /broadband access setup advice please

Can I Wi-Fi network a XP PC to an ME PC so both could simultaneously
use the same existing wire ADSL modem internet access running on the XP
PC ?

Or do I need a WiFi USB dongle for each PC, plus a wireless
modem/router as well?

Thanks
TJ

 

Wireless Ad-Hock networking where as networking is between wireless
NIC's and one has ICS enabled is suspect to say the least about it on
the MS paltform. That's particularly true for a Win XP machine as it can
go out at the drop of a hat and not work period anymore.

Your best bet is to get a wire/wireless AP router and avoid the problems.

Duane

 

Presumably you mean that your current "ADSL modem" is plugged into a USB
socket on the machine running Windows XP.

I believe it is possible to 'share your internet connection' on the
machine that has the USB internet connection, as long as you can find a
way to connect the other machine to the one with the "modem" - but then
you would have to have the machine with the "modem" running if you want
the other one to access the internet.

A better arrangement would be to get a proper 'router'; these days,
combined "ADSL modem/router" gadgets are widely available and one of those
would replace your present "USB modem". Then you can connect each
computer to the 'router' (with wires or wireless, whichever suits you
better) and each of them can connect to the internet without the other
computer being involved at all.

The best way to make wired connections from your computers to the
'router', is to have a 'Network Interface Card' (NIC) in each computer and
use 'cat 5' cable plugged into the network sockets. Recent machines
usually have a 'network' or 'ethernet' socket already built in; if not,
NIC cards are pretty cheap for full-sized PCs, and there are PC-Card
('PCMCIA' or 'Cardbus') NICs for laptops.

Setting up a wired network like this is fairly easy, and modem/routers
came with clear step-by-step instructions.

A wireless network may be more convenient, but of course you need a
'wireless' NIC for each computer - and the security of your network
requires that the set-up and instructions for a wireless router are more
complex, but if you take it slowly one step at a time it isn't too bad.
Recent laptops often have a built-in wireless NIC, and of course there are
PC-Card Wireless cards for those that don't - and 'wireless' cards to be
fitted into desktop PCs.

USB is not a good way to connect network or internet devices; consider it a
'last resort'. ISPs tend to sell or give away USB modems because they are
cheap and with a bit of luck the customer will be able to get the
connection working without too much help from the ISP, by letting the
'installation CD' do most of the work.

You normally do not have to use the modem provided by the ISP, but of
course if you use your own then you have to make sure that it is
configured correctly with the settings that your ISP requires. The ISP
should be able to tell you what the settings are, and the instructions for
your modem/router will tell you how to make the settings - usually using
the normal web-browser on one of your computers.