If you use the modem in one of the existing desktops to connect, you
shouldn't need the "router" functionality, although such a unit may be the
cheapest way to connect a mix of wired and wireless PCs into a single LAN.

  There are a few routers on the market which include a phone modem, or a
serial port to connect an external modem.  But that's kind of a niche
market, and I don't know if any of those also include wireless.

  I don't think ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) was in 95B, so you may
need to look to some third-party application for that or update the OS on
one of the desktops.

  The XP networking wizard can produce a disk to enable local filesharing
etc with older windows versions, but I'm not certain *that* supports
anything older than 98SE.  (This piece isn't needed for Internet connection,
only for sharing files etc between machines on the local LAN.)

David Gillett


On 29 Apr 2004 at 20:20, Brian Zentz wrote:

> I'm just starting to learn about networking.  I have two desktop computers running WIN95B.  I have a laptop running WinXPHome.  All have internal modems for dial-up Internet connection.  My objective is to network all three so they can simultaneously connect to the Internet.  The laptop may or may not be present when the other two computers need to access the Internet and I would prefer that the laptop be connected wirelessly so it can be moved from room to room.
>
> My idea is to connect the two desktops through an Ethernet network and then wire this network to a wireless router.  The laptop would connect wirelessly to the router. If that is possible my next question is how to make the internet connection.  Can I simply use one of the internal modems already in one of the desktop computers?  Would the other computers in the network be able to share that In
> ternet connection too?  If sharing an internal modem won't work do I need to connect and external modem to the router for the internet connection?
>
> Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.
>
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