Lan Help?How do i connect?

Question

I am having a modem (for DSL) It has two outputs one of lan . And the other one of USB . I have connected one on another PC and one on another . Whenever i log on any PC ( WHILE BOTH AT SAME TIME ) . It says a duplicate network exists . Can anyone tell me how do i send files between them . The internet works at the same time on both PCS

Answer 1

A couple of comments on the above answers

1. You need a 4 port home router - Use a major brand (D-Link, Linlksys, Belkin)

2. Do not use a switch - a switch does not have the ability to share an Internet connection between 2 computers - a router does

3. Do not replace your modem without checking with your Internet provider. Some ISP's use proprietary setups and will not let you use your own modem.

4. As you found out, you modem will not allow you to use the USB and Ethernet port at the same time. Once you get the router your network will look like this

Internet > Modem >> Router WAN Port

Router LAN Port #1 >> Computer #1

Router LAN Port #2 >> Computer #2

Happy computing

Answer 2

If your modem does not have a built-in router, buy a decent router (with a built-in switch). If you get a router with a built-in modem, you won't need your current modem.

Answer 3

Sounds like you're trying to use a modem to set up a LAN - you need a router. Buy a cheap router and plug both of the PCs into it and the modem.. hey presto LAN!

www.ebuyer.com for well priced routers

Or newegg.com if you're american

Answer 4

Your modem can not use both outputs. It will only use one of the other of them. Like Joel says, you need a router to connect multiple machines. The ethernet output of the modem goes to the WAN input of a Cable/DSL router. The router will then have outputs for the local LAN which will allow multiple computers to connect.

Once that is in place, you can then share your files using file and printer sharing. You do have to setup a LAN (local area network) first and a router is the easiest way to accomplish this and give both computers internet.

Added: OK if you are using a modem which is really a router you should connect both machines to the ethernet output. If the "router" has only ONE ethernet output, you need a switch behind it so you can connect more machines.  Most ROUTERS have more than one ethernet output (usually at least four) there are some that do not but you do need to be sure you have a router not just a modem. In either case you can't mix USB and ethernet outputs - it will create duplicate networks!