3 computer network, shared internet and printer

R

recce1230

New Member
hi all i've tried reading past threads but with no luck.
me and my partner both like to go on the internet however only my computer is linked up to the net, i have 3 computers and what i wanted to know is, if its possible to have one computer linked up to the net and the printer and then have my computer and the misses computer running through it. i want to do this so we dont have to switch the modem between computers every time she wants to go on the net, as i need to do work online at the same time, and i don't like her turning my computer on and off all day long when she wants to check the net. so what wires will i need to do this, all three computers are running windows xp home.
hope i'm clear enough i confuse myself sometimes.
 
all you need is a router, which connects to your modem. If you are unable to connect all the PC's to the router with wires (ethernet cables), then consider a wireless router which will give you the ability to connect PC's both wireless and wired.

Here is a quick diagram that might help
 
The easiest thing to do would be get a router with a built in switch (most if not all home routers have them). Then you hook the modem and PCs up to the router and it takes care of the rest. You'll need network cards in the PCs but you'd need those anyway.

The router will have instructions on how to set it up to work with your modem.
 
you dont want to other computers connecting through another computer
you should have them all connect indapendent of each other.

what kinda isp you have cable ? dsl ?
like the other said get you a cable/dsl router the one intelcrazy linked is all you need.

cable is easyest just plug the router into to modem and then plug the computers into the router, you may have to setup a new network connections on each system.. control panel>network connections> setup a home or small office network. next twice. select other then next and select the top one " this computer connects to the internet directory or through a hub.... blah blah blah blah " and next until your done,

if you have dsl you will need to get the ip address of your dsl modem setup
and set it on bridged ethernet connection and you will have to set the
router up with your connection info " user name and pw "
and do the same setup a home or small office network on each computer.

for the printer you can install it on one of the systems and share it through file and printer sharing or the " print server " that intelcrazy linked would be the best option.
 
Some DSL ISP's require you to use the modem they send you upon activation. Most of those modems suck, the one I have from Verizon has built-in wireless and a router/switch built in, so it works out.

As Deepblue said you will have to bridge with DSL. It is a real pain in the arse, especially with Verizon and other PPPOe ISPs.

As for a print server, use it so you don't have to leave one system running to use the printer, it is aggravating when someone turns that PC off and you try to print.
 
hey thanks everyone for your help and advice its exactely what i wanted to know, thank you for the links as well
 
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