How do I set up a Home Network ?

[minoukat]

We just bought a Linksys EtherFast DSL/Cable router, and, I can't set up my network. Could anyone make or point to some how-to guide for setting up a home network between 2 comps using : 1=Windows 98SE, and 2=Windows ME ? Thanks !

[Amedeo602]

do u have cable or dsl?



but other than internet it's very simple...the hardest part is the software. i can walk u through the 98se, but don't know if ME is the same (it should be very close)

give me about an hour to post the guide...i have to go to work in a few min. after i get there i'll try to break away to post it...

[Amedeo602]

Here's a guide to the basic setup (I'm going to use Win 98SE and cable since they seem to be the most popular) to networking 2 (or more) computers using a router to share internet access:


1) I'm going to assume that anyone reading this is at least moderately proficient with computers and knows what he/she is doing. And be sure to RTFM! This is a generic guide and in no way is meant to replace the manual that came with your router.

2) Turn off all machines and install any NICs (network interface cards).

3) Connect the cable modem to the router. If the router has an integrated switch/hub then make sure to plug the modem into the WAN (wide area network) port. If there is a switch for using the router as just a router or also as a switch/hub then make sure it's set properly.

4) Connect an appropriate length of Cat5 wire to the first port on your switch. Connect the other end to the RJ45 port on your NIC in one computer.

5) Repeat number 4 using the next port available until all machines are physically connected to the switch.

6) Turn on all machines and let them find the new hardware. Install appropriate drivers and reboot as necessary. I also recommend installing IPX/SPX protocol for gaming and TCP/IP for internet browsing/gaming.

7) To install protocols (remember, this is Win98SE) click Start, Settings, and then control Panel. Open the Network control panel. (Or right-click on Network Neighborhood on your desktop and select Properties.) Make sure your NIC is listed and go to step 8.

8) Click "Add..." then select the protocols you wish to use (TCP/IP is a must. IPX/SPX is good for gaming. File/Printer Sharing if you want to enable it). TCP/IP and IPX/SPX can both be found under Microsoft Protocols.

9) Change the Log In Using box to display "Client for Microsoft Networks" Click on the identification tab and type a name for your LAN. Decide whether you want quick log in or not.

10) Click "Apply" The machine will most likely ask for the Win98 CD. After it's done applying your changes, you'll need to reboot.

11) Repeat for all other machines on the network.

--> At this point it's a good time to test all the machines to make sure they can print and share files. Try hosting a LAN game. If you can see games and join them then all is well and you're ready to proceed (after a few rounds of Counter-Strike to relax from all this hard work :p ).

//Now for the router

12) Pick a machine to configure the router. Most routers can be configured through a web browser, so that's how I'll explain it. I'm going to assume that the router uses the 192.168.0.x format (most do).

13) Open your web browser and type in "192.168.0.1" and hit enter.

14) Log in as admin (probably no password set on it, you'll need to do that later) and set up the router as directed by the owner's guide.

15) After setup, try out some of your favorite websites ( www.overclockers.com !). If all goes well, then you're all set! If not, get to www.overclockers.com and post what's happening in the Internet and Networking Forum and some kind soul will be glad to help you :)


I thank everyone for reading this far and I hope this helps someone in their time of need!

[rugby]

Or he could have read the sticky at the top.

:)

[Amedeo602]

Originally posted by rugby
Or he could have read the sticky at the top.

:)

your guide is good, but when i was typing this up i went for the "Idiot-Proof Step-by-Step Guide" so I could refer other people to it later and not have to repeat myself 100 times. your guide doesn't really go as in-depth as mine...yours is more of a general info guide where mine is a how-to

[minoukat]

But the File sharing doesn't work ! Sorry for the misleading, I've done the internet sharing thing, just I can't share files between my two comps ! Please a guide for how to make file and printer sharing !

PS: The manual doesn't say anything about file and printer sharing, that's why I'm asking !

[Amedeo602]

(before you begin make sure the machines both log on to the same domain at bootup)



It's in the network properties box.

I *think* (doing this from memory...) there's a button entitled "File and Printer Sharing..." -- click that, then place a checkmark in each box you want to enable (2 boxes, one for files, one for printers) Click "Add..." then "Services" then File/Printer sharing. Click apply then repeat for the other computers.

To share a file or folder: right click the file, then select the new "Sharing..." option and select the appropriate boxes.

To share a printer (some printers can't be shared...don''t ask why) : For the comp the printer is attached to, make sure the printer is shared (in the printer menu, make sure the "Allow others to print to this printer" is checked)

On the other computer(s):
Double-click My computer, then Printers. Open the printer box and click "Add new printer" then Network printer, and go through the computer the printer is on and it should appear. select it and install the appropriate drivers. print a test page and voila!

[minoukat]

What do you mean by domain ? (I'm a newbie in networking !) And I just want to use a Peer-to-Peer network between my two comps.

[rugby]

Originally posted by Amedeo602


your guide is good, but when i was typing this up i went for the "Idiot-Proof Step-by-Step Guide" so I could refer other people to it later and not have to repeat myself 100 times. your guide doesn't really go as in-depth as mine...yours is more of a general info guide where mine is a how-to


Oh I know, I was just giving him a hard time.

[Amedeo602]

Originally posted by minoukat
What do you mean by domain ? (I'm a newbie in networking !) And I just want to use a Peer-to-Peer network between my two comps.

a domain is basically "where" the computers go on the network. You can name it anything, but be sure they all go to the same place or you can run into trouble.

[Amedeo602]

Originally posted by rugby



Oh I know, I was just giving him a hard time.

I know, I was just giving you a hard time :)

[rugby]

Hmmm....maybe we could collaborate to make the ultimate home network faq.

[minoukat]

Originally posted by Amedeo602


a domain is basically "where" the computers go on the network. You can name it anything, but be sure they all go to the same place or you can run into trouble.

How do I setup a domain ?

[Amedeo602]

Originally posted by rugby
Hmmm....maybe we could collaborate to make the ultimate home network faq.

we could do that...a little copy-paste and we're already half done :)

i have noticed half the questions here are "how do i share internet" or similar. i'm all for it

[Amedeo602]

Originally posted by minoukat


How do I setup a domain ?

i'm at work and i can't check the network boxes here, but i think it's in the network properties box under the "Identification" tab (might be a different name...but i know it's in the network properties box)

[minoukat]

I went in Start/Help, and typed in domains, and I created one as they said, but still I can't connect both pcs together. And takes like 5 minutes to load windows now ! (on both comps, I did this on both comps and nothing !)#

[Maddman]

you probably only need to be in the same workgroup and do you have netbeui protocol setup on each computer.

[minoukat]

Netbeui ? What's that ?!?!?

[Maddman]

Originally posted by minoukat
Netbeui ? What's that ?!?!?

It's a network protocol try installing it in the networking folder in control panel. control panel networking install protocol microsoft netBEUI. do it on both computers.

instead of domain try just puting both computers on the same workgroup

[minoukat]

OK, thanks for the help, all of you, the network finally works !!! Thanks !

EDIT : How can I connect my old Windows 3.1 comp to this peer-to-peer network ?

[Amedeo602]

Originally posted by Maddman


It's a network protocol try installing it in the networking folder in control panel. control panel networking install protocol microsoft netBEUI. do it on both computers.

instead of domain try just puting both computers on the same workgroup

ahh, my bad. workgroup, not domain

sorry about that :(

[Amedeo602]

Originally posted by minoukat
OK, thanks for the help, all of you, the network finally works !!! Thanks !

EDIT : How can I connect my old Windows 3.1 comp to this peer-to-peer network ?

i really hope that's a joke...if it's not then i can't help u :eek:

[Maddman]

Here are afew pages that might help
http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/DOSCLNT3.HTM
http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/Doscltcp.htm
http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/Dosservr.htm