Networking Win32/64 Computers At Mother's House?

I'm looking to network some of the Windows computers at my mother's house and, when I'm there, my Win10/64 laptop. The computers to network include a Win98SE computer, a WinXP laptop, my mother's personal Win10/64 mini-tower and, if possible, a DOS laptop with no hard drive. All of the computers mentioned except the DOS laptop have USB ports, but the Win98SE computer's USB ports are all used. The DOS laptop is currently networked to the Win98SE computer to act as a hard drive via a null-modem serial cable. How much would this cost, and how do I do it? BTW, what benefits do I get by networking these computers?

 

If the '98 pc has a ethernet port you could probably network up to another pc just with a cable and no internet connection required.See here....

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/how-to-connect-two-computers-with-an-ethernet-cable/

The benefit? You can share files, photos, document and maybe even send programs back and forth instead of using a usb to carry files back and forth between pc's.

 

I'm not sure how to determine whether the computers have an ethernet connection, and I'll need on-demand access, i.e. to connect and disconnect at any time. How much does an ethernet connection cost?

 

Look on the sides or back of the computer. It looks like a large telephone jack. If you have these you just need the cables.

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcR1NcCoaY3qal7qX8mo12CVsRWV35vuVCRfthM0pw9hJ8bLmixabAFF3MjTwUqS6OJ79t5BOf9GPjfjaBOTn51fvTk6rle5

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcR1NcCoaY3qal7qX8mo12CVsRWV35vuVCRfthM0pw9hJ8bLmixabAFF3MjTwUqS6OJ79t5BOf9GPjfjaBOTn51fvTk6rle5

 

I am aware of two computers that have the plug, but both need it for the internet.

 

Why don't you run DOS, Win98SE & WinXP in a virtual machine?
It will solve most of the hardware limitations you are currently experiencing.
https://m.majorgeeks.com/files/details/virtualbox.html
There are others.

 

Here's an article that shows how to start a home network using one of the win 10 pcs. It then shows how to add the other pc's. With most browsers you can save the page as a pdf for offline viewing while you work. If you have a printer, make a hard copy and highlight the steps you need as some will be repeated for each new pc added.

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-setup-and-manage-windows-10-homegroup-local-network

 

I just started to read the article, and it didn't mention Windows XP or 98. I want to network those computers as well.

 

My mother has an ethernet cable and a router for internet. Can I use that for a network?