i have 2 pc base units next to each other under my desk only one is connected to a mouse/keyboard and monitor. How do i link them up so i can use them as a network 1 pc has a dvd writer the other does not--so what i want to do is transfer the files from the pc without the dvd writer to the one that does so i can burn the files to disk. any help in plain "newbie" terms would be great cheers arthur

the best thing you could do is use your built in help in xp. it will guide you through all the steps that you need to take to set you up with the network. You can also google for "networking". There is also a program that will allow you to use the same mouse and keyboard to operate on two different pc's at the same time but i forgot what it is...maybe someone else here knows it and will link you to it. IN THE MATTERS OF STYLE, swim with the current; in matters of principle, STAND LIKE A ROCK

you need 2 ethernet cards, some cable (ask for right type in store, I dont know what it is in english...lol) And the workstations set in same workgroup. Give the cards basic ip-addresses from same network, f.ex 10.10.10.1 and 10.10.10.2 share a folder for the workgroup and have fun :) Like Lurks said, there is an automatic setup for that in XP too. Found at "network connections" ! It will ask you some basic questions how you wanna set it up. IF you have an firewall, you can add this HOME-network card to thrusted zone :) It won´t have anything to do with the possible internet-networkcard, or internet. Cards cost - in my area 6 euros a piece (8 $?) The cable, for 1-2 meters just about the same. Weeeee!

How about take the Hard Drive out of the unit that does not have a dvd writer and put it in the other machine as a slave drive. No expense, 15 min job tops, plus you get all that extra disk space on your main machine.

You can link computers a number of different ways and not just through etherenet cards. Ethernet just happens to be the most effective method. But other methods include links through the modems, parallel, or serial ports. XP network setup will take you through the steps.