How-To Geek

How do i get a Lan network working between XPsp2 and vista machines?

its got to be cabled, as i already have alot of them lying around, and its gotta be cheap...

what do i need & how do i set it all up?

If you are wired all the way, a switch like this works best and is the cheapest and easiest solution. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol.....4699430298 Note: there are many makes and models, the simpler, the better. I happen to have this one which works very well. http://www.officedepot.com/a/p.....et-Switch/

There is really nothing to do. Each system will run as if it was on a single Ethernet wire. That's the beauty of the switch - no setup (other than stringing the wires - of course). Btw.: The incoming wire (the one from the modem), you can plug into any plug - at least with the Netgear model. I am telling you because I was at first puzzled looking for the in/out plugs - but they are all the same.

Games I do not know. I have never done that. But I do share printers. There is one printer on each system which can be accessed by the other systems. You still have to make the sharing settings in Vista and XP, of course - same like with a router.

3? 1x XPsp2 2x vista (know one but not the other)

1mb. i'm using a usb adsl modem if that changes things?

Hi Jack. Hows the performance with all 3 players on?