SAMMAU COMPUTERS

How to Hook Up Two PCs Without a Router by Chris Hoffman You can connect computers directly if you don't have a router. Local networks are normally created by connecting computers to a router. If you have two PCs that you want to network but no router, you can connect them using an Ethernet crossover cable or establish an ad-hoc wireless network if they have Wi-Fi hardware. You can do anything you could on a normal network after hooking them up, including sharing files and printers. Some network adapters don’t require crossover cables and can function with any type of Ethernet cable; check your network adapter’s documentation for more details. Wired 1. Connect the Ethernet crossover cable to the Ethernet ports on the back of each PC. You’ll find this port on the left or right side of laptops. 2. Click “Start” on one of the PCs, select “Control Panel” and click “View Network Status and Tasks” under Network and Internet. 3. Click “Public Network” under Unidentified Network and select “Home” or “Work.” 4. Click the “Change Advanced Sharing Settings” link in the sidebar and expand the “Home or Work” section by clicking it. 5. Verify “Turn On Network Discovery” is enabled and click “Save Changes.” Also select “Turn On File and Printer Sharing” if you want to share files and printers. 6. Repeat this process on the other PC to enable network discovery and file and printer sharing. Wireless 1. Click “Start” and select “Control Panel” on one computer. 2. Click “View Network Status and Tasks” under Network and Internet. 3. Click “Set Up a New Connection or Network” under Change Your Networking Settings. 4. Select the “Set Up a Wireless Ad Hoc (Computer-to-Computer)” option and click “Next.” 5. Type a name for your wireless network into the “Network Name” box. 6. Select a security type such as “WPA2-Personal” from the “Security Type” box. 7. Type a passphrase into the “Security Key” box. You’ll need this to connect on the other PC. 8. Click the “Save This Network” check box and select “Next” to create the network. 9. Click the “Network” icon in the second computer’s system tray, select the network you created and provide its passphrase to connect.