Hi, I have 2 PC's running Windows ME. I have a DSL connection. The DSL goes into a Netgear RT314 gateway router / 4 port switch and from there to the computers. Can I set up a LAN so I can map drives between the computers? I know the computers local IP addresses. I've turned sharing on for the drives. What else? Also, is there anyway I can monitor the bandwidth usage? Thanks. Johnny.

Make sure you have fully configured firewall or access list on your router if you connected to internet.

You probably want to set up a peer to peer network. You can share files between these two computers easily. Your DSL modem is not even a factor for this, as the switch is what will actually 'creates' the physical network. First make sure you have these Microsoft Client (I'm not even sure if the MS client is necessary, but install it just in case), TCP/IP, and Microsoft File Sharing installed for both computers. Right click on network neighborhood, choose properties. Make sure the computer is logging into a windows network. Click the identification tab. Here is where it gets important: Give each PC a unique name but the SAME workgroup name, I.E. something like home_network or my_network. After that go back to the general tab under network neighborhood, press the filesharing button and make sure printing and file sharing are both enabled. Now click the access tab, and make sure the shared-access level control radio button is selected. Close out of network neighborhood (it will probably prompt you to restart your pc, do it). Go to the other computer, do exactly the same for it as you did above. Now right click on all resources you want to share (resources being printers and drives) and choose sharing. Give each share a unique name and then choose security and make sure everyone has full access. That's it! Now when you browse (double click) network neighborhood it will list all the shared computers on the network. Just double click the computer name and it will display the shared resources it has. Right clicking on a shared drive will allow you to map a drive to that drive or directory which is recommended. Oh at this point, if you have a persistent connection to the internet such as your DSL modem, you are very vunerable to attacks from the outside world. Find yourself a good firewall and install it so you will be protected. -Michael!