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Internet & Networking => Networking => Topic started by: computeruler on June 09, 2009, 12:51:58 PM

Title: connecting four laptops together
Post by: computeruler on June 09, 2009, 12:51:58 PM

So I have 4 dell laptops that all have a LAN port and they all need to be connected to be on the same network like connected to each other.  I have the laptops and one of these http://www.dell.com/us/en/business/enterprise/switch-powerconnect-2816/pd.aspx?refid=switch-powerconnect-2816&s=bsd&cs=04  My dad says that when he trys it he needs to redo it everytime he disconnects it or something.  So any ideas?

Title: Re: connecting four laptops together
Post by: Karnac on June 09, 2009, 02:57:53 PM

I'm sure you've seen this but here goes anyways...

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/setup/wired.mspx

Title: Re: connecting four laptops together
Post by: computeruler on June 09, 2009, 03:48:22 PM

Ya I saw it.  I dont want to set up an internet network or anything.  Just a network between the 4 computers.  I get just plugging them into the ethernet hub but is there anything else that I need to do?

Title: Re: connecting four laptops together
Post by: squall_01 on June 09, 2009, 04:28:01 PM

Depends on the OS

Title: Re: connecting four laptops together
Post by: computeruler on June 09, 2009, 06:40:53 PM

xp

Title: Re: connecting four laptops together
Post by: squall_01 on June 09, 2009, 06:45:16 PM

Did you run the wizard?

Title: Re: connecting four laptops together
Post by: Rob Pomeroy on June 10, 2009, 03:29:58 AM

>Networking FAQ< (http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,21311.0.html).

Title: Re: connecting four laptops together
Post by: squall_01 on June 10, 2009, 04:17:55 AM

seems way off for this case, go to my network places - in the left you'll see view an setup you'll want to click setup first read the wizard it will say about your hardware it dont matter if its connected for the time or not, then it will ask about your internet connection click next an it will have you call the machine something then it will ask for the workgroup which must be the same accrossed all four.  Finally it may ask about printer shareing so if you want it to print off of a printer connected else where.  Then it will display your settings next and it will go ahead an apply them at which point you wait, Then you can finsh the wizard or make a disk with this info for the rest of the machines but I usually just finsh it. Then it will say finish, all you have to then do is rightt click an say share whatever files an such.  You'll need a hub with direct cables if it was only two a cross over would be okay.

Title: Re: connecting four laptops together
Post by: BC_Programmer on June 10, 2009, 06:33:56 AM

@Rob- you did a *censored* fine job on that FAQ, if I may say so  :)

Quote from: squall_01 on June 10, 2009, 04:17:55 AM

seems way off for this case,

It's not.

Title: Re: connecting four laptops together
Post by: squall_01 on June 10, 2009, 06:51:45 AM

 ??? he has router mentioned an all that other stuff.

Title: Re: connecting four laptops together
Post by: Rob Pomeroy on June 10, 2009, 07:03:02 AM

Thanks BC.  :)  Squall, read the intro then section 5.  I covered several different scenarios in the FAQ, including those where a router is not part of the setup.

Title: Re: connecting four laptops together
Post by: squall_01 on June 10, 2009, 07:11:48 AM

I read the sub heading just seemed like alot to go threw at this time.

Title: Re: connecting four laptops together
Post by: Rob Pomeroy on June 10, 2009, 07:27:32 AM

Er...  It's not your thread!

Title: Re: connecting four laptops together
Post by: squall_01 on June 10, 2009, 07:34:26 AM

I know, that dont matter.

Title: Re: connecting four laptops together
Post by: BC_Programmer on June 10, 2009, 07:38:24 AM

Quote from: squall_01 on June 10, 2009, 07:11:48 AM

I read the sub heading just seemed like alot to go threw at this time.

Ahh, that makes sense- "too much to read"="seems way off for this case"



oh wait. No it doesn't.

Title: Re: connecting four laptops together
Post by: Rob Pomeroy on June 10, 2009, 09:32:11 AM

Quote from: squall_01 on June 10, 2009, 07:34:26 AM

I know, that dont matter.

I beg to differ.

Title: Re: connecting four laptops together
Post by: squall_01 on June 10, 2009, 10:42:09 AM

how so I supplied the information?

Title: Re: connecting four laptops together
Post by: computeruler on June 10, 2009, 02:10:21 PM

Thanks for the link rob.  I will look at it later though because I have no idea were the 4th laptop went so no since in setting it up now.  And squall I do not have a router for it

Title: Re: connecting four laptops together
Post by: computeruler on June 10, 2009, 02:23:06 PM

Ok apperntly they need to be connected together because

Quote

they need to communicate with each other because they share one database

Title: Re: connecting four laptops together
Post by: squall_01 on June 10, 2009, 03:12:01 PM

I never said that.  I said hub which is differnt and still can be setup regaurdless.

Title: Re: connecting four laptops together
Post by: computeruler on June 10, 2009, 06:11:41 PM

Quote from: squall_01 on June 10, 2009, 06:51:45 AM

??? he has router mentioned an all that other stuff.

Title: Re: connecting four laptops together
Post by: squall_01 on June 10, 2009, 06:38:51 PM

thats not being directed at him, I was talking about robs post.