Creating Windows Network between desktop and lappy...

[jhoover]

Hello!

Situation:
I will be getting an X40 soon and wanted to know how to create a Windows Network between my X40 (XPP) and my desktop (W2KP). I do not have an external cd-rom drive, hence, this network is necessary in order to install Office 03 Professional on the lappy.

(2) questions:
1. Besides the Windows Network Wizard, is there different source/link that can teach me how to do this?
2. What addtl networking hardware will I need? (is it as simple as plugging an ethernet cable from the desktop to the lappy?

I'm a complete newbie so your advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[carbon_unit]

You can use a crossover cable between your desktop and lappy but you would be better off getting a hub and two cables. Then plug both computers into the hub and start sharing files.

[level]

I use a usb network adapter for my internet connection to my desktop and a crossover cable from the desktop to my T-41. With the 10/100 card in my desktop and the gigabit card in the IBM, I'm getting transfer speeds that are faster than using firewire between the two (using a pcmcia firewire card in the laptop).

[hausman]

This will give you a simple overview on how to connect two PCs via Ethernet crossover cable. You can buy a crossover cable at most computer stores, but if you have a spare straight-thru cable you can easily convert it to crossover. You just need to carefully remove about an inch of the plastic sheath find the pin 1, 2, 3 and 6 wires, cut them, strip off the insulation and then splice them together again crossed over.
http://www.homenethelp.com/web/diagram/crossover.asp

[jhoover]

Wow...seems a lot easier than I initially suspected. Thanks a lot for spelling it out for me. You posters are awesome! I love my fellow TP Heads!

[stinkyfeet]

Isn't the Gigabit lan autosensing? Which means you don't need a crossover cable if atleast one ends of the connection is a Gigabit lan card.

I'm fairly confident i'd tested this after my TP arrived. I used a regular network cable to connect my TP to a dell with a 10/100 lan card and stuff worked.