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Anyone help?

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  • 04-09-2007 3:30am
    #1
    craggel
    Closed Accounts Posts: 51 ✭✭


    I am a bit "new" to this networking thing so I have a multitude of questions but I'll start with a few....
    I have a new Dell and an old dell that I want to hook up to BT broadband. The new one is running Vista and the old one is running XP.
    1. Do I have to set up a network for this?
    2. If so will I be able to have the operating systems work together or will I have to upgrade one or downgrade the other?
    3. Could I just get a wireless router and hook up each computer without networking??:confused:

    Any help for a computer numpty would be great! Thanks


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    #2
    Snowbat
    Registered Users Posts: 1,064 ✭✭✭Snowbat


    You seem to be confusing 'networking' with 'file & printer sharing'. Hooking two or more machines up to a NAT router is networking them and will enable them to share your BT broadband connection. If you want, you can *also* share files and printers over your network. You shouldn't encounter any problems sharing files and printers between XP and Vista though Vista networking has some separate issues:

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928233
    http://www.ghacks.net/2007/08/29/fix-for-slow-vista-network-transfer-while-playing-music/


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    #3
    craggel
    Closed Accounts Posts: 51 ✭✭craggel


    Any recomendations for a NAT router that would be best suited? I have a zykel router that came with BT broadband but it isn't recognised by Vista. I would prefer to go wireless also.
    Thanks BTW


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    #4
    tech
    Registered Users Posts: 2,839 ✭✭✭tech


    If its Zyxel router usually these have 4 network points on the back if so plug a cable into each pc and away you go

    The router should have an IP address of 192.168.1.1

    this will allow both pc's to surf by pluggin the cable ..


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    #5
    Snowbat
    Registered Users Posts: 1,064 ✭✭✭Snowbat


    If your Vista machine is unable to pick up an IP address from the Zyxel, try the registry hack here:
    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928233

    For reasons best known to themselves, Microsoft decided to change the way the Vista DHCP client works, abandoning the normal method as used in Win95/98/2k/XP for an obscure method that was only included in RFC2131 as an *OPTIONAL* workaround to support legacy systems. Since it was an option, not a requirement, and hasn't been needed for years, many DHCP servers and routers do not support it. The registry hack makes Vista revert to the normal method.

    Vista Bug Costs Users In Swedish Town Their Internet
    http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/09/02/1223209


    For a standalone wireless router, I like the Linksys WRT54GL.
    http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=314078

    If you want to replace your Zyxel with an all-in-one box, you could look out for an ex-eircom Netopia Cayman 3347W.


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