PC Tech question for all you bright people!
 

Just got the 2nd pc for the office.

What exactly do i need to do/buy in order to share files and connection between the two?

Also, will it significantly slow down my existing pc by networking them?

cheers guys! any help would be greatly appreciated :D

Do you have broadband on the first PC? or do you envisage BB in the office?

If so I'd get a BB router a couple of Cat5 cables and n/w cards in the PC's if they haven't got them, and just share out folders via explorer.

If no broadband then buy a network hub, couple of Cat5 cables and n/w cards if needed.

Performance will be no different or not noticeable, and it will only be affected when X pc accesses Y pc and vice versa (obviously the specs of the PC's will affect performance anyway)

both PCs need a network card then you have 2 choices

1st just use a CAT5 crossover cable to join the 2 and give the an IP address and your away

2nd get a small 5 or 8 port switch/hub and connect them to that, IP address and your away


it should not slow them down unless you read/write big database files

got the 2nd one because we get HUGE files for our digital printer.

If i keep them as completely seperate PC'S, can i simply 'share' the broadband connection by putting a double socket at BT socket?

may sound like stupid q's, apologies in advance for being a caveman!:D

You could, but you'd need the same BB software installed on the other machine and swapping the modem back and too also, too much hassle IMO.

Get a router (see my first option) and that will split the BB connection between the pair, if you want to share files you can, and if you want to share say a printer you can also...

do you have a usb broadband modem then, you would need to change to a broadband router and then you networking is solved. printing files should not be a problem speed wise

cheers guys, sounds simple enough!

Which will mean struggling for days probably :D

Could be really lazy/clever and just put Skype on them both.

www.skype.com/download