Sorry if this has been covered before - I have seen a few posts on the forums about network problems but need advice a bit more basic! I am looking to network 2 pcs and 1 laptop (all XP)and share an HP multifunction printer and an HP laser printer (neither with inbuilt printer cards). I also have a broadband connection I would like to share if possible. I already have a Belkin gateway router (cat5 type) I was going to use to share the net connection but my requirments have now got a little more complicated. Basically my question is what do I need to make the setup and what is the basic configuration. I am told that XP is pretty good at sorting it out once it is cabled up but I really just need a steer on the boxes and wires needed. I would like to share the printers and net connection independantly rather than as a shared resource from the main machine. Much obliged and tia
You should just have to set all the PCs to use DHCP and connect them to the router. I haven't used a Belkin router but I would guess that it has a built in DHCP server and a WAN port to connect to your broadband. As far as the printers go, you will have to share them off of the PCs or buy a HP Jet Direct card (not cheap) to directly connect them to the network.
