Newbie on networking

An Ancient Newbie with a query. I have a Advent Machine running Vista and an Ei with Windows XP. Both fully functional The Advent is connected to the internet Virgin cable hub. I want to connect the 2 together using ONE monitor, both with internet access. Reason is that a lot of essential data on the Windows XP machine will not run on Vista. THe alleged "compatibility" widget will not always work
I have loads of J45 crossover cables and have tried out a KVM switch which was useless.but need to know more details.

I gather I connect the cable hub and machines to a Switch but that will not give the Ei access to the monitor. Do I need an additional piece of equipment for this.

 

@Drover. You should have started your own thread. What you should be doing is plugging a network cable from your cable modem to the wan/internet port on a router. Then cable the computer into the other ports on that router.
A normal home router comes with 1 wan port for the modem and 4 or 5 switch ports for computers.
You should also be using straight through cable, not cross over. If your computers and router dont auto sense the cable type, you may have to get straight through cable.


The KVM is used for what you want to do with 1 monitor and 2 computers. Has nothing to do with networking.

 

Thanks again King Steve. Bear with me please. I was aware of the use of Routers but the Tech Guys at a firm i will not mention said a KVM switch would dothe job. The inital one I had was more suitable for undersea comunications but I now have a Belkin Switch 2 which is an improvement. The Router you describe is one I had previously but disposed of as it had no switch to change machines. So presumably I now need a Router in addition to the Switch2? Need this have a switch ( some do some do not it seems) or will the KVM suffice Fortunately I have ample space for all this this gear which would not have been needed if Vista ran all the earlier programs - such as Lotus.!

 

Hi Drover. I think youre confusing an ethernet switch and a kvm switch.

You'll need a router to connect your modem to so all your computers can get private addresses and access the internet. A home router typically has ethernet switch ports, so one router with no extra devices will do the trick to get you on the internet.

Like i said before, unless are is a KVM that handles network connects too that im not aware of, all the kvm will do is allow you to connect one monitor keyboard and mouse to as many different boxes as the kvm itself will allow. again, a KVM switch should not be confused with an Ethernet switch.

I hope this makes sense. Unless im misunderstanding what it is that youre trying to do.

I'm understanding you want to connect 2 computers so they both have internet access, but use one monitor, mouse, and keyboard to control both computers.

So breaking it down - a KVM switch will allow you to switch between computers.
A router with the built in ethernet switch will allow both of those computers to access the internet. Does the KVM you have include ethernet ports on it or something? Either way, you will likely need a router anyway to give all your machines private addresses that are routed to the internet.


Post the model of KVM switch you have and ill check it out if youre unsure of what to check for.

 

King Steve. Thanks again I see where I went wrong. There r only slots for mouse, monitor, keyboard and sound on the KVM 2 but obviously ethernet slots on both machines. Pity I stupidly disposed of a router i had - 4 ports - before I had the KVM because it did not have a switch for the machines. Will get sorted.

As a plea in my defence I'm 84 yeaars old and dream about computers being as uncomplicated as the Sinclair Spectrum or Amstrad's Word Processor!! I think I'll start a new thread on that!!

 

No problem. If you have other questions or anything just post back. Me or someone else around here can help im sure.