connecting 2 pcs together

can anyone help i have 2 computers running win xp pro
both have network cards installed can i just connect a
lead between both pcs to get a network or do i have to
purchase a hub i have bought a lead see and connected
them but it keeps saying there is a network card
unplugged on both pcs
any help would be appriciated thanks
mike

On Sun, 10 Oct 2004 11:53:33 -0700, mike_2001 wrote:

can anyone help i have 2 computers running win xp pro
both have network cards installed can i just connect a
lead between both pcs to get a network or do i have to
purchase a hub i have bought a lead see and connected
them but it keeps saying there is a network card
unplugged on both pcs
any help would be appriciated thanks
mike

If you are connecting 2 network cards directly to each other you need a
"cross over" cable. If you are using a hub between the computers you need 2
straight through cables.

See: http://www.homenethelp.com/web/diagram/crossover.asp

On Sun, 10 Oct 2004 11:53:33 -0700, "mike_2001"
wrote:

can anyone help i have 2 computers running win xp pro
both have network cards installed can i just connect a
lead between both pcs to get a network or do i have to
purchase a hub i have bought a lead see and connected
them but it keeps saying there is a network card
unplugged on both pcs
any help would be appriciated thanks
mike

Mike,

By A "lead" I'd bet you mean an Ethernet cable? If so, you'll need a special
cross-over cable Ethernet cable, as opposed to the standard straight-thru
Ethernet cable.

If you were to use a hub, you'd connect the hub to your two computers with two
straight-thru cables. To connect without a hub, you need a cross-over cable.

Here are a few websites with useful tutorials:
http://www.cablesense.com/
http://www.homenethelp.com/
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
http://www.wown.com/

For more help, when you post in the futu

How to Compose a Good Newsgroup Post
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

How to Act Smart on Usenet
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Getting Your Post Noticed - and Answered
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f.../Mar27pmvp.asp

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.