Networking between my PC and my Laptop

Can I do that with only a modem?

[Shaqatak20]

Hey,
I have Win Xp on both my PC and my laptop. I have a surfboard modem which connects me to the internet. Now I want to be able to transfer files easily between my laptop and PC and also want to be able to access the same internet connection.

I'm pretty good with computers otherwise, but not even close when it comes to networking, so would you be able to tell me if this is possible?

I have a Motorola Surfboard Cable modem (not wireless), So the LAN wire goes into my PC. But i also have this USB wire that i can put in from the modem directly to my laptop.

and the IP address registered with the ISP is obviously the one for the PC.. ( if i put in the same ip on both the machines, naturally i get a conflict notification)

can i make a network using the lan wire and the usb wire which both go on this same MODEM? I know there has to be a way, but then..

Leaving it to the experts!

Thanks in advance, Do reply
(can i make a workgroup or something at all? OR is this not possible at all..)

/shaq

[kaled]

The cheapest solution would probably be to connect them directly using a special USB cable. Typically, the cable has a device in the middle that creates an ethernet-compatible bridge.

Such cables cost about $25.

Search for direct "usb to usb"

Kaled.

[mole]

I'd suggest the least-cost but most robust solution would be to get a broadband router.

The two computers both connect to one side of the router (and can then talk to each other on the little LAN you have created by doing that).
Your cable modem plugs in to the other side of the router.

[bill]

I agree that adding a router [microsoft.com] would add a level of security to your network and handle a lot of the networking hassles. That would be of the most value to you in my opinion.

Another option for networking would be to add another Ethernet NIC to the PC. Then you could use Windows ICS [google.com] to share the connection and link the machines together.

Microsoft has a lot of very straightforward articles with pictures and diagrams that describe various other ways to network Windows PCs: Setting up your network [microsoft.com]

[gello]

router will do your job.
I had the same problem

[coopster]

There may be an additional bonus here -- if you buy a router that can handle both wired and wireless connections (most do), and your laptop is wireless-capable you will be able to roam.

Welcome to WebmasterWorld, Shaqatak20.