Not sure if this is were to ask?

R

rizay

Member
Sorry if this sounds stupid to you all. I don't know much about computers or what things are called. I will do my best to explain my problem.

I have two computers. One I use for converting my home videos and playing games. This is not connected to my dsl modem. The other computer, we use for everything else. Including surffing the net. I want to connect them together to share files between the two of them. I would also like to only have one monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and be able to connect to the internet with both computers.

Is this possible?

Both computers are on my desk. My wife is getting annoyed.
 
A KVM (Keyboard Video Mouse) should do the job for only using one keyboard screen and mouse. Basically what it does is you plug it into both computers you want to use it with and then you plug your Keyboard Screen and Mouse into it and then just push a button when you want it to change to the other computer.Something like this should do the job nicely.

You might want a different one depending on what connection your screen and keyboard and mouse uses.
 
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Just get a crossover cable and plug the computers together and away you go. You may have to tinker around with some settings, but generally setting it up shouldn't be too hard...

Oh and also, I understood that the other comp is only used to store files&stuff and needs no input/output devices at all...this corect?
 
Thanks guys. The KVM seems nice. Do they make one for usb mouse and keyboard? The monitor connection looks like the one on my new monitor. But that doesn't connect the two computers together does it? I would like to share files between the two computers. I have space for the two towers. However, I want to get rid of my crt monitor, old keyboard, and mouse.

If I use the modem to switch / hub will that allow to transfer files between the computers or is that for internet connection only?

I found a crossover cable online. Will that allow for file sharing, internet, and one monitor,keyboard, mouse setup?

As far as input/output goes, all I have is: monitors, keyboards, mice(?), two speakers, and a printer/copier. Is that what you mean?
 
The crossover cable will be fine for file sharing, but you'll need a KVM switch for k/b, mouse and monitor. If you think you'll need to connect other computers to the network later on, you'll be better of getting a hub, however. But for connecting up 2 computers, a crossover cable is fine.
 
hackapelite said:
The crossover cable will be fine for file sharing, but you'll need a KVM switch for k/b, mouse and monitor. If you think you'll need to connect other computers to the network later on, you'll be better of getting a hub, however. But for connecting up 2 computers, a crossover cable is fine.
Click to expand...

Exactly what i was going to say

rizay said:
Thanks guys. The KVM seems nice. Do they make one for usb mouse and keyboard? The monitor connection looks like the one on my new monitor. But that doesn't connect the two computers together does it? I would like to share files between the two computers. I have space for the two towers. However, I want to get rid of my crt monitor, old keyboard, and mouse.
Click to expand...

Well then you would have to use some program and it makes it difficult or you use a switch.

You plug the monitor + keyboard into the main and then have monitor + keyboard and mouse cables going to both computers and then switch between A and B

rizay said:
If I use the modem to switch / hub will that allow to transfer files between the computers or is that for internet connection only?
Click to expand...

Both

rizay said:
I found a crossover cable online. Will that allow for file sharing, internet, and one monitor,keyboard, mouse setup?
Click to expand...

Just file sharing

rizay said:
As far as input/output goes, all I have is: monitors, keyboards, mice(?), two speakers, and a printer/copier. Is that what you mean?
Click to expand...

printer you can share so when the computers on a network to each other, you can share printers and print from the second computer.
 
This is what you need:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817403063
It also will switch audio.
This is what you need to connect the computers together:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124005
Connect your DSL modem to the uplink port and connect the PCs to port 1 & 2.
Assign each PC with a static I.P. address:
http://www.hotcomm.com/FAQ/FAQ_staticIPXP.asp
With the DSL modems built in router, the assigned I.P. address will be from 192.168.0.100 thru 199.
Default Gateway will be 192.168.0.1
Preferred DNS Server will be 192.168.0.1
Alternate DNS Server will be left empty
Check both PCs for internet connectivity.
Now right click My Computer, click the Computer Name tab, and give both PCs the same workgroup name. This will require a reboot.
Pick or create folders on each PC and enable file sharing:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july23.mspx
What I do at this point is right click the Network icon (XP), click Search for computers, and type in the I.P. address of the PC I'm looking for (in your case the second PC).
Drag the resulting icon(s) from the second PCs shared folders to your desktop and create a shortcut.
You can do the same on the second PC to the first PC.

Hope this helps.
 
The hardest part is prob setting up the Static IP's but, it is prob gonna be much easier for you as you dont have a router.
 
Thanks guys.

So Quick69GTO, I ordered the parts from newegg. Should arrive today. One question. I have an eithernet cable running from my dsl modem to my pc. After I get my parts, I will disconnect that cable from my pc and connect it too the LINKSYS 10/100Mbps Workgroup Switch. From that switch, what cables do I need to connect the pc's to the switch? I looked on newegg but it doesn't say. It doesn't look like the cables come with the Linksys switch. Any idea's?
 
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