Hi, I own a pc with XP, usb ports and 56k modem and anotherone (portatil) with ME, usb ports, 56K modem and ethernet 10/100 LAN CARD. Mi questions are: 1. Can i build a home network usin the usb ports or the modem, so i shouldnt buy an ethernet card for my desktop pc? 2. Do u think is better to instal XP in both PC, or it doesnt matter that one hve ME and the other XP? 3. Please, explain me, step by step, how to build and setup a home network in the best way. Thanks a lot

The best way I think you can do it is to install XP - or windows 2000 if it's available to you - on both machines, as Win9x of any kind is not as good especially when it comes to networking. Of course they will both work, but you will notice greater speed and reliability using windows N.T. (this won't matter if the only thing you do is play games and surf the internet) Also, USB network cards are notoriously unreliable. And they only operate at 10MPBS. You can buy a 10/100 PCI NIC for $10, which is cheap as any USB network card, and it will work straight away when installed in a windowsNT system. You cannot network easily or effectively using the modem. A PCI network card is very cheap, and very easy to install and once running will give you far less trouble than a USB network card. I would go on but it takes ages to explain how USB works and why it is no good for networking. If you only ever intend to use 2 computers, your best choice is to join them together using a RJ CROSSOVER LEAD, straight from one network card into the other. If you intend to use more computers, get a network hub. you can get a 4 port 100 MBPS network hub for under $50. You will then need one patch cable for every computer connected to the hub. Once all the computers are connected and running windows XP/2000 then it should all work fine. Check back here when you have a network for more troubleshooting info as it will be impossible to list all the likeley problems here.

hacking = put your back into it(nothing is easy) 1. U could try a peer to peer with USB, but it's hard, especialy using MS windows unless u start hacking. Using your modems, u would have to configure one as a Telephone-central so u could ring-up that one, also a hacking proces.(but interesting) The aesyest way is to just buy a $10- ethernet-card and create a 'peer to peer' conection. Make sure that both machines have an identical workgroup name i.e. WORKGROUP and that each machine has it's own unique (personal) name i.e. RED001 and RED002, also each machine needs its own IP-adres i.e. 195.0.0.1 and 195.0.0.2 or just asign them automaticley using DHCP. Then share one and a nother on these machines(folder etc.).(this is when using TCP/IP-protocol[the easyest way]) 2.doesn't matter as long as they are using the same protocol.(try linux also[to begin with])preferebly seen your conditions SUSE 7.0 > yep this should be it just go and spend those $10 - PS. conect the ethernet card using 'UTP' it reliable, cheap and easy. Go for it! Juan greetz' citylights