Hi - Someone please HELP :) I just bought a Notebook Computer and I want to be able to share/transfer files to/from my Desktop PC. I also want to be able to use my Desktop's CDRW with the Notebook (if this is possible) The Desktop PC has a network card already installed and the Notebook has a USB Ethernet Adapter. I went to BestBuy and the guy sold me a CrossOver Cable and explained some things to me.... however, now i cant remember anything!!! I have ZERO knowledge about networking so I am hoping someone can explain things in english for me!! :) Additional Info: I have @HOME internet service. I dont know if this affects anything or not.

Go to www.Linksys.com They have a HUB that will allow you to connect up to 4 computers. This hub will also allow you to use 1 account and share it between 4 computers at the same time with no loss in speed. Your internet company will want you pay for another account in order to have two computers hooked up at one time on their service. You will need 3 cat 5e patch cables (NOT a crossover cable) to hook up the computers to the HUB. Use the directions that come with the LINKSYS hub and it will tell you how to hook up the computers. It is really easy to follow instructions. You can check the web site out for furture details www.linksys.com thank you

If you just want to connect the laptop to the desktop, you don't need a hub. You indeed need the cross-over cable. I don't exactly know what the usb-ethernetadaptor is, but I assume you can plug the cross over in it. Plug the other side in the networkcard of the destktop. If you have windows ME (the laptop probably came with winME), you can use the wizard homenatwork (somewhere in the startmenu) to establish connection. I once connected a laptop to my computer using a serial cable, and therefor I needed to install the NetBEUI-protocol and the tcp/ip-protocol. But I think the wizard will do that for you. I also fid this website very helpful, perhaps you can find something interesting: http://www.annoyances.org/win98/features/ics.html Johan

this one is also very interesting: http://www.makeitsimple.com/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=7 Johan