Networking Problem

[Arachnid13]

Hi,
I have two PCs that I wish to network so that i can play games (such as Age Of Empires) against my brother, is there a way of doing this using a cable between the modems of the computers as one of the computers does not have a network card, my computer is running XP and my brothers is on 98. I know it is possible for file sharing but would a connection like this be sufficient for gaming??

[nemaroller]

I'm not sure of what type of connection you're implying.

But if both have access to the internet, why not just play over the Zone?

[<ABX]

just buy another network card (<$20) and put it it? 20min tops for a absolute beginner

you will also need to by whats called a Crossover Cable just check any office/computer store.

btw: you do not wanna try to play AOE2 over anthing other than over a 100mbit network connection and with a two decent computers

[Arachnid13]

Cheers, i got a second network card and a cross-over cable and it works :> only the Win98 comp. is connected to the internet however, so here comes the next part of the problem, i cant find my windows 98 cd, and all the places i have found so far refer to using the Internet Connection Sharing option under the Add/Remove programs control panel thing... unfortunately it doesnt seem to exist on mine and without the cd i cant see a way of installing it, does anyone know of a copy of the ICS files on the web? or is there another way round it... (switching the computers so that the Xp is connected to the internet and acting as the gatway computer is not an option)

[nemaroller]

You have a few options:

1) You may be able to insert your XP disk into your brother's computer. When it autoplays, select Other utilities (i think its called that)

2) XP can create a setup disk to properly configure client computers, I am not sure if it works the other way around (having XP as not the gateway.) But you can configure your XP under network connections (Setup a connection), and one of the last things it asks in the wizard is if you would like to create a setup disk to configure other machines on your network.

[Pc_Madness]

ICS is a pile of ****.

[nemaroller]

Its obviously better to get a router because its dedicated hardware with firewall, and you can get wireless one's for $49..

but I have used ICS on a broadband connection before and it never gave me any problems or noticable lag.