[RESOLVED] Small Home Network Help

[JamesD]

I hope someone can help me with this, i'm sorry if it's in the wrong area, but help would be really apreciated.

I have at home:

1 Pentium 100mhz with 64mb RAM, 4.3GB HD CDROM and 10/100 NIC

1 Pentium Pro 200mhz with 64mb RAM, 2.1GB HD CDROM and 10/100 NIC

1 Pentium 200mhz MMX with 64mb RAM, 4.3GB HD CDROM and 10/100 NIC

1 HP690C Printer
1 56k Modem

Antiques i know but i'm poor, and i like tinkering. I would love to learn some networking as my expeirience is build based and fault finding, with my last employment as a database tech (I HATE FILEMAKER PRO). Networking has never been a strong point of mine, and i would appreciate advice on hardware and software or pointers to relevant sites. Ideally i'd like a file/print/modem server and two access points. (The p100 is languishing in a corner)So thanks in advance oh nice wonderful techs from around the globe[IMG]PS AlienDyne i love your site pictures http://forums.windrivers.com/cgi-bin/forum/smilies/cwm20.gif[/IMG]

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To be me, i must have done something very evil in a former life...

[CompuDocs]

Pretty simple with Windows 95/98 to set up a peer to peer. On Win98SE you can share the modem onto the network.

1. 1st machine to have win98se installed
2. Networking applet looks like this on all machines:

Client for Microsoft Networking <<Client>>
Dialup Adapter <<Adapter>>
(your NIC) <<Adapter>>
TCP/IP <<Protocol>>
File and Printer Sharing For Microsoft Networks <<Service>>

On the IDentification Tab make sure the Workgroup name is simple and about 7-8 characters long, no spaces in the name. All machines must have a different Computer Name and have the same Workgroup name.

Double click on the TCP/IP protocol bound to the NIC, make sure it is using DHCP in the WINS tab (default)

3. Hook em all up to the hub, share the drives or folders and check network neighborhood to see each PC. Sharing the printer is pretty easy. In the printers folder, right click on the printer and click share. Then on the other PC's install it as a network printer.

4. Connect to the net on the Win98SE machine. Stay connected while you go to the Add/Remove Programs in the control panel. Click Windows Setup, Internet Tools and add Internet Connection Sharing. Follow the directions.

Good Luck

Charlie



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"Oh Bother," said Pooh, as Windows crashed for the umpteenth time.

[JamesD]

Thanks, any recommendations on cheap hubs? any manufacturers to steer clear of?

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To be me, i must have done something very evil in a former life...

[Eagle PC Diagnostech]

Cheap:
Encore, D-Link, Netgear, all easy to use
Steer clear of:
Linksys, most of the time it has compatibility problems.

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An obstacle is something you see when you take your eyes off your goal.

[tyroneshu]

Try diamond technologies Home networking cards only go at 1mbps but for a home network and considering the speed of your computers would work GREAT. Try http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=HOMEFREEK
they have a kit for two computers for only 12.50!!!!!