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TheBulbasaurfreak
01-11-2004, 12:18 PM
Is it? I don't want to use network cards yet. Can u connect 2 pcs with one modem? Or 2? Thanks for the help.

Drumbo
01-11-2004, 01:22 PM
if you dont want to use natwork yet, then probably not. unless you have an external modem with 2 in/puts. you couldnt use a special adapter thing because it wouldnt know where to send each bit of data.

sorry mate, your gonna have to get network. dont worry, its pretty easy man :)

locustfurnace
01-11-2004, 08:50 PM
Yes, you can do this without network cards, but you will still need to buy a special cable called a null modem cable, which is a special printer cable.
then you will need something to do address translation, which can be a simple proxy, such as proxy+ (http://www.proxyplus.cz/)

you will hook the null modem cable betwen each system. and one computer must be connected to the internet, and the other can share the modem.
Windows98 and up has this feature called ICS, Internet Connection Sharing. You can use this also instead of the proxy+, but i find the proxy+ easier to set up.
There are instruction on the site for hooking the proxy up.
you can read this site HERE (http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/dccmain.htm) for alot more info on DCC, Direct Cable Connections which will help you set this up.
But it will be much slower than using a network, but it is much cheaper to start out with, and still faster then what your modem is connecting at anyway.

Pete
01-12-2004, 09:02 AM
Minor correction to locustfurnace's post.
Windows 98 SE has ICS, the original "98" version requires additional software.

Use the link he provided for DCC.

The same website also has instructions for ICS:
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/j_helmig/icsw98se.htm

If your computers already have network cards and you limit it to two computers, you don't need a hub, an ethernet crossover cable may be easier and less costly than DCC.
See bottom of page at: http://www.windowsnetworking.com/j_helmig/thisted.htm
or (depending on your cards)...
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/j_helmig/thistedx.htm

Alternative:
If you want to avoid networking altogether...Like Drumbo mentioned, there are special modems made for this purpose.
Here's one:
http://www.actiontec.com/products/modems/d...m_overview.html (http://www.actiontec.com/products/modems/dual_pcmodem/dpm_overview.html)

TheBulbasaurfreak
01-12-2004, 12:27 PM
Any stores in the UK that sell serial cables?

locustfurnace
01-12-2004, 02:55 PM
Originally posted by TheBulbasaurfreak@Jan 12 2004, 01:27 PM
Any stores in the UK that sell serial cables?
Is there a Radio Shack there? if so you can find one there.

Pete
01-12-2004, 04:31 PM
Make sure you tell the store what you're trying to do. This cable has a different pin-out than a printer cable.

Radio shack probably carries them, but if you're not sure about the termonology, you may be better off at a store that specializes in computers.

locustfurnace
01-12-2004, 05:04 PM
Originally posted by Pete@Jan 12 2004, 10:02 AM
Minor correction to locustfurnace's post.
Windows 98 SE has ICS, the original "98" version requires additional software.
Right, and this is where you find Proxy+ to fill the void of the missing ICS,
The original Windows 98 does offer DCC though, just not ICS.
Radio Shack did specialize in computers for a very long time, with their Tandy lines and later they carried Aptiva's, and i think now they handle Compaq's. But they do offer adapters and the necessary hardware if you chose to wire up your own DCC cables.

Radio Shacks Null-Modem adpaters (http://www.radioshack.com/search.asp?find=null+modem&SRC=1)

Staples Null Modem Cables (http://www.staples.com/catalog/search/Search_Sum.asp?PageType=2&SearchPageType=2&cromulent=&Keywords=null+modem+cable) about $5.00

Pc to PC Connections Product page (http://www.lpt.com/)

you can also do this netorwking via a USB cable, read about it here
http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/usbmain.htm

Windows 9X Networking, Internet Connection Sharing (http://cwdixon.com/support/win98_support/dun_ics.htm)

TheBulbasaurfreak
01-14-2004, 12:58 PM
Thanks, people for your help. About USB: I thought that if u connect 2 pcs with USB, it blows them up. I live in the UK and they say that it is illegal to connect 2 pcs with USB.

locustfurnace
01-14-2004, 02:37 PM
Originally posted by TheBulbasaurfreak@Jan 14 2004, 01:58 PM
Thanks, people for your help. About USB: I thought that if u connect 2 pcs with USB, it blows them up. I live in the UK and they say that it is illegal to connect 2 pcs with USB.
Who says it is illegal? People or the law? and what reason would it be illegal to hook them up via USB? is there any websites that show evidence to this claim?

TheBulbasaurfreak
01-15-2004, 12:33 PM
In this Computer Book it says its illegal, Haynes Computer Manual.

locustfurnace
01-15-2004, 03:18 PM
Thats interesting. Can't find anything related to that on the internet though.

Pete
01-15-2004, 04:53 PM
This could explain the confusion (boldface added by me):

Originally posted by http://www.usb.org/faq/ans5
Q5: How can I connect two PCs to each other with USB?
A5: You need a specialized USB peripheral known as a USB bridge (sometimes called a USB to USB adapter) to do this. Anchor Chips and e-Tek labs, among others, make USB bridges.

Q6: You mean I can't make a direct cable connection like a null modem?
A6: Correct. In fact, if you try this with an illegal A to A USB cable, you'll short the two PCs' power supplies together, possibly destroying one or both machines or causing a fire hazard. Even there were no danger to the machines from the problem with two power supplies, there still wouldn't be any way to get the two PCs talking to each other, since USB doesn't support that particular kind of communication. A reasonably priced solution to handle this need is the USB bridge.

Q7: So why do people make A to A cables, anyway? What kinds of cables do I need to connect USB devices together?
A7: A number of cable vendors seem to have reached the conclusion that USB is like a PC's serial port, only faster, so you need all sorts of special hardware to create the USB connection you need to make. This is completely incorrect. The only kind of cables you'll ever need to connect normal USB products are A to B cables, A to mini B cables or mini A to mini B cables of various lengths. Some special kinds of devices use nonstandard connectors and so come with their own special cable.

locustfurnace
01-15-2004, 05:18 PM
USB2 TO USB2 Network Cable (http://www.cableuniverse.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=117) £17.50ex VAT. This is a USB2 to USB2 NETWORK Bridge Cable. Single cable solution for network communication , construct USB network up to 17 PCs. This cable can connect 2 computers without the need of any other hardwar, providing both of your computers have USB Ports.
Belkin USB Direct Connect (http://www.savastore.com/products/product.asp?catalog_name=Savastore&product_id=10009562&pid=45&tid=2) £32.89

TheBulbasaurfreak
01-16-2004, 02:57 PM
Thanks for the advice.