We have two computers, one is downstairs and one is upstairs. the downstairs computer has DSL and the one upstairs needs it. We both have ethernet cards and we don't have any ethernet wire. We have tons of telephone (RJ-11) cable, and splitters. We also have one router. With what we have, how can we possibly configure these computers to share the DSL connection? We need a response as soon as possible!

you could probably use the phone wire to do it, but it will be slow. Best way would be to use the router...but you'll have to run an ethernet cable from the router to the computer upstairs. If you don't want to run cables, you will have to buy a wireless router and wireless nic. Without spending some money to get the appropriate stuff, you probably won't realize high speeds

Typically, cable designed for phone lines isn't of a high enough grade to allow you to transfer data. You'll need Category 5e cable with RJ-45 connectors to connect the systems. Otherwise, check out the wireless offerings over at Linksys (http://www.linksys.com).

If you don't like wires then the only solution is to go wireless which would cost u at lest 3X what it would cost to get a cheap router and long lenght of cat5 game to run.

I have a upstairs and downstairs computer. I ran 100' of Cat 5 from the downstairs to the upstairs PC. I bought a switcher that feeds both PC's for 50 bucks. The beauty of a switcher is, its bandwidth selective. A routher is not, its a divider. I want to network the two PC's, I just gotta learn how.

For just two computers, the best way is stick two ethernet cards in the computer with the dsl line and one card in the other computer, connect your dsl modem to one of those on the two jack computer and connect a cat5 crossover in the other jack and run it to the other computer. Run the network setup wizard on both computers and wham you got your own network and filesharing.

Well, it really comes down to $$$$ and whether you want to run a long cable between the two computers. Here are my opinions and prejudices: I'll never go back to the double-nic ICS setup . . . I hate having to leave one computer on all the time so the other can use the connection. Phone lines are dead out . . . too slow and too unreliable. Since you already have a router, use it: set it up to spoof the ISP-installed nic's MAC address, and run CAT5 cables from the router to each computer. A 100' length of CAT5e cable can usually be found for less than $30, and it will be more than 9x as fast as most wireless setups if you're looking to share large files as well as your internet connection. If you don't want to run a cable up the stairs (or through the floor/ceiling), you're pretty much left with a wireless setup. You can buy a quality wireless router for $150, or you can buy a wireless access point (to connect to your current router) for $100 or less. Of course, you're also looking at $50-100 for a wireless nic for the upstairs computer. Even though most wireless setups transfer data at 11Mb/s, that's plenty of juice for sharing an internet connection. You may not like doing 700MB file transfers at 11Mb/s, though. One thing that impresses me about my wireless router is the range on that sucker. I can use my laptop sitting in my neighbor's family room.