PCTech Forums

About a year ago, when I first set up the 'new' computer, I was able to run both old and new computers straight out of the cable modem...

The old one on the USB port and the new one on the ethernet (?) port of the cable modem....

I just plugged the cables into the computers and the internet worked....

I'm trying to do the same thing again, but only one computer will work at a time... Which is the one that is connected first...

The only thing that has changed since about a year ago is that I had to reformat the New computer a couple of weeks ago and reload Windows XP and the service pack updates....

The Systems....
Old computer:
Windows XP Home edition Ver. 2002 Service Pack 1
AMD processor 909 MHz
512 MB RAM
IE Ver. 6.0.2800.1105.xpsp2.030422-1633

New computer:
Windows XP Home edition Ver. 2002 Service Pack 2
AMD Athlon XP 2700+ 2.17 GHx
1 GB RAM
IE Ver. 6.0.2900.2180.xpsp_sp2-rtm.040503-2158

Cable Modem:
RCA digital/broadband (supplied by comcast..)

Any thoughts on this??

Thanks again

Junior

My first thought is you were pretty lucky that it worked to begin with.I would recommend investing in a switch or a router.by doing that,you can share internet plus share files between the 2 pc's with no problems.

I agree. Its amazing that that worked in the first place. If I may suggestion a router for you, id go with a Lynksys router. (the purple and black ones) Ive tried other routers and these seem to be the best quality.

Secondly, running 2 computers off a modem isnt a good idea for two reasons:

1) Makes the modem itself work extra therefor overheating faster. Higher chance for it to stop working properly.

2) Running 2 computers off a MODEM (not a router ro switch) devides the connection speed in half. When you had both PCs attachted to the modem, each computer was nowhere near the max upload/download speed it was capable of.

Also here is a link that may help ya out »
And I agree with Un4g1v3n. Linksys routers are great particularly this one»

Hey, Thanks alot for the info....

I was thinking that I may have been lucky, but ya never know....

I'll invest in a router, and go from there...

Thanks again..

Junior

No problem at all. Glad to help.