SORRY! Just realised this is in totally the wrong place, but I don't know how to move it!

I must have read about 4 tutorials on how to do this, and I am more confused than ever!
This is what I have:
Main PC
Athlon 2600+, Win XP, DSL 512kbps, possibly increasing to 2Mbps, if I feel like paying the extra.
Net Adapters visible on Device Manager:
1)1394 Net Adapter
2) Via compatible Fast Ethernet Adapter
3)Zyxel USB ADSL Modem (Native ATM Mode)

PC 2
Athlon 64 3800+, Win Media Centre
Net Adapters visible on Device Manager:
1)1394 Net Adapter
2) Nvidia NForce Networking controller
Also Belkin F5D7050UK External Wireless Network Adapter

Nvidia Netbus Enumerator

PC3
Home use in holidays only
Laptop (Win XP) used in termtime with WiFi internet connection through a Netgear Router, shared with two other laptops in same house,
on a Telewest Broadband package, cable I think

This is what I need to be able to do, and it needs to be wireless:
Share files and printer
Share internet connection.

So, can anyone tell me exactly what hardware I need to buy?

Thankyou!!!
Anji

Hi Anjistar, sorry for the delay in answering, ok, it looks like you already have the network cards, so basically all you need now is:

*Get a network cable, or a wireless router to connect pc1 to pc2 this will allow internet sharing between pc1 and pc2.

*By the looks of it you will probably need to put the Belkin F5D7050UK External Wireless Network Adapter in pc1 so that internet can be shared over 2 connections, (dsl between laptop and pc2).

*This will connect all computers together so you are now ready to do the network setup. I don't know if you want help setting this up or if you just needed to know what hardware to buy, so i thought I may aswell post the steps anyway to help you get them all connected and up-and-running quicker so here you go:

*On the main computer goto start-->control panel-->network connections and highlight both the wireless network connection and the local area connection (this is the one that links pc1 to pc2), click advanced at the top and click bridge connections.

*On each computer goto start-->control panel-->network setup wizard

*Press next and click checklist for creating a network (this is a blue hyperlink in the text, this saves my time from having to type more

*Ok so you've read that, now click next and tick the box Ignore disconnected network hardware and click next, you will then be asked to enter a computer name for each computer, and type a workgroup (the workgroup should be the same on every computer) on the main computer you will need to enable internet sharing through the wizard (and need to have made a bridged connection through your network connections i will explained this above).

*Internet sharing is easy to enable and you are asked to do this through the network setup, This is all off the top of my head so no complaints please.


*Click finish and you will need to restart all computer, bit of a pain but must be done, go to main computer and goto control panel and network connections, right click your dsl connection for the internet, click properties, click advanced and click allow other users to connect through this computers internet connection, and tick the allow users to control or disable internet connection if you wish, one this is done click ok.If ur connected to the net u will have to disconnect n reconnect, ok thats done,

*Now open your dsl (internet) connection and tick the save password and the for anyone who uses this computer boxes then dial and you should have access to internet through all computers and files on other computers, be aware you may have to configure your firewall but reply to this message and say so if your having problems.

*Also i forgot to say on every computer make sure you have gone into network connections and right clicked the network connection e.g local area connection or on main computer bridged connection and clicked enable, if the connection is not enabled you wont have access to the internet.

*Also the main computer will have to be on for u to have access to internet on other computers. also to access files on another computer you must first allow that file to be shared, to do this right click the file and click sharing, click share this folder on network, select a name and click ok, hope this helps urs dave God my fingers are killing!!! lol Have Fun, TTFN

Hey Guys,

@Dave, thanks for helping out. I'd really feel more comfortable if we let Gromit handle this one. Being that he sets up Networks for a living and all. He will be able to handhold Anji though this.

@Anji, don't despair, Dave's info is basic but sound. Let me get Gromit onto this thread and see if he can't step by step you to a LAN set up.

Keep an eye out for his thread,

TTFN

LGW

Thanks a lot, guys, for the help so far - much appreciated!
I shall, as you say, watch out for Gromit - should I tempt him with a particularly fine cheddar I have here, do you think?
Cheers
Anji

hi again, hopefully gromit can be more helpful than me as my info is ment to be basic, (which i think its sort of basic) anyway, i would rather leave it to gromit as he does networking as a living as LGW says.

@LGW well u can't blame me 4 trying no problems though, i suppose i learn more like u've sed to me, by u telling me wats good n wats not, thx again, dave

@Anji, I'm sure that a fine cheddar is just the thing, LOL.

@Dave, nicely done.

I will contact Gromit again, I am sure that he must have been detained.

TTFN

LGW

Hi Guys

Sorry for the delay I've been feeling rather poorly - All together now... arghh...

Anyway.. to some suggestions. The best choice is to keep it simple.
Do you have a wireless router that can be used by all of the PCs/Laptops from you comments I'm not sure if you have 2 setups??

You mention a Netgear router and an ASDL Modem. Can you give me the following details:
Number of PCs/Laptops needing a connection and whether they need to be wireless or not.

As per Dave's comments you already have most of what you need (if I read it correctly)

I look forward to your reply
Gromit