hi i am trying to get my 2 computers to network (they both are on win xp home). i have purchased 2 network cards, also a d-link hub, which i'm told i don't need if i just want to connect 2 computers. once connected without the hub i get the message that i need to re new the ip address. i have follwed the guides on this forum, but it doesn't work. i try to release and renew the ip address on both computers but it does nothing. any ideas

If you just want to network two computers without Internet connection, then a hub is fine. You could have done it without a hub by connecting the two computers by a crossover cable. However, if you ever wanted to add a third computer, then you would need a hub. As you already have a hub, you might as well use it. In all cases you need to set the IP address manually. You appear to have it set to obtain IP address automatically which it cant because there is no DHCP server in the network. Set one computer to an IP address of 192.168.0.1 and the other with an address of 192.168.0.2 and a mask of 255.255.255.0. IP address renew doesn't come into it as you are not connected to a DHCP server. That comes with connecting to the Internet, either via a router or via Internet Connection Sharing. Stuart

Hi Stuart many thanks for the advice. (without trying to sound to stupid) how do i manually set the ip address?

Run Network connections from the Control Panel. Right click on Local Area Connection then properties. Select TCP/IP and click properties. Make sure that Use the Following IP is selected and enter the above addresses. Don't worry about DNS. That only applies if you are connected to the Internet. Stuart

hi stuart after tearing my hair out for 3 months, you sorted my problem out in 1 day. you are a star, thankyou very much. i am now networked! thanks again