i have a computer running w98 and just bought another one (v cheap, w/out monitor) that is exactly the same. i want to run #2 basically as just another drive to give me more room/ram. can i use this mysterious cross-over cable to join the 2? i have a wireless router for 3 computers, (internet) but any other type of networking has failed, couldn't get it to work... (xp, ME, w98...) this "new" computer's HD is blank. i have XP professional that i could load... is that recommended? #2 has 320 mg of ram, i think, while my original computer has 512. i use a lot of images, photo editing... any other ideas of how to make the best of this situation, e.g. remove ram from #1 to add to #2 and make it my main access using xp? tho i have no problems w w98... ? any advice appreciated sabine

sure, you can use corssover cabe to connect two computers. a possible issue is name resolution, this how to may help, http://www.howtonetworking.com/workgroupsetup.htm

You just can't connect the other computer because there is no operating system on it. If you just want ram and storage, install the ram and hard drive in your existing system.

thanks, blin. would i use the same workgroup name that i gave the wireless network, or is this considered a different network, seperate from the wireless one? it would make sense to me to treat it as such (seperate) as if the new additional comp were just an additional drive for the old computer... is using the crossover cable as easy as plugging it in both computers or do i need a network adapter? or is the adapter already installed w w98 (or xp if use that)? i have read the page you sent the link for, but my situation wasn't covered (i think). sabine

wizard, i have the disks for w98 that came with the CPU; i also have an unused xp professional...i will load one or the other.

Sabine Setting up the second computer will not give you more memory. Getting more drive space is easier by adding the hard drive in your original computer. You don't have to install XP to your present computer. I have W98 and sometimes use 3 hard drives. Just more drive letters. A point about using a crossover connection. It will be slower than using the regular network connection. Even with a network you probably wouldn't want to use a remote computer for regular data storage.

wizard-fred -- thanks for the input, that is definitely something worth considering. i thought i could utilize the memory on the extra computer..... problem is i have some space left on the original HD but am running out of RAM quite often. was looking for a cheap solution to the dilemma. with the additional HD i am still stuck with not enough memory (and not many options for add-on)...... oh well. back to the drawing board..... thanks, sabine