In windows vista it is relatively easy to set up a shared Internet connection without a router and two computers. You only need a few basic things. First thing being an active Internet connection either dial up or broadband (cable, dsl or satellite).
The computer that connects to the Internet will be the server or slave computer meaning for other computers to connect you using this computer it must remain on or be turned on when needed. This computer should be fairly speedy as in processor capabilities and have good size memory installed to keep it from lagging under processes. A computer from 1.8ghz with 1.5 gigs of memory and above should be sufficient for this task.
For a wired connection with dial up you will need a 56k modem for Internet access and a Ethernet jack in the back of the computer. On your computer click start, control panel, network and Internet, network sharing center and then manage network connections. Right click on your dial up connection and select properties and then click the tab sharing. check allow other net work users to connect through this computers Internet connection. In the drop down under it select your Ethernet card usually local "Internet connection" and then click settings tab. Make sure all boxes are checked under the setting tab and click OK.
Next all you need to do is plug your server/slave computer into the computer that will be sharing the connection in together by a crossover Ethernet cable. A crossover cable is a special cable locally available designed for PC sharing. A normal Ethernet cable will not work for this task. A crossover cable is usually yellow and says crossover on the wire casing. Reboot both machines and connect the server to the net by dial up and your in business.
For a wireless connection between the two machines the set up is very simular but with a few different steps. For this you will need a dial up or broadband connection on the server/slave computer along with a wireless Ethernet card installed in a PCI or USB slot. Keep in mind the computer that will be sharing the connection will have to have a wireless Ethernet card installed to or built in such as a laptop.
Assuming everything is set and installed you need to do these steps. Click start, control panel, network and Internet, network sharing center and then manage network connections. If it is a dial up connection the set up is the same as above.
Right click on your dial up connection and select properties and then click the tab sharing. check allow other net work users to connect through this computers Internet connection. In the drop down under it select your wireless Ethernet card usually "Wireless Network Connection" and then click settings tab. Make sure all boxes are checked under the setting tab and click OK.
Now go to network and sharing screen again and select set up connection or network and select set up wireless or hoc (computer-to-computer) network. Select a network name you can name it virtually anything the most common is "home". Next select the security type Open means you wont need a password on the computer sharing the connection or WAP Personal will require a security key you make to keep unwanted people in range from using your connection. Next click save network and close to finish this set up. To make the network function you simply have to dial up like you would for the server/slave computer then on the bottom right corner of the screen next to the volume tab click connect to and right click connect to a network and select the name of the network you made earlier such as home. Once selected it should stay connected waiting for users to connect. take the second computer and search for a local WIFI connection and it should find "home" click connect and your online.
Connecting a broadband connection to a wireless card is fairly simple as you need to open the network and sharing screen once again. right click on your wireless card and click on the sharing tab and check all boxes andclose. While holding down the control key click once one the wireless card and once on the local Internet connection so both are highlighted and then right click and select bridge connections. Once the bridge has been made All you have to do is set up a wireless or hoc (computer-to-computer) network. go to network and sharing screen again and select set up connection or network and select set up wireless or hoc (computer-to-computer) network. To do this select a network name you can name it virtually anything the most common is "home". Next select the security type Open means you wont need a password on the computer sharing the connection or WAP Personal will require a security key you make to keep unwanted people in range from using your connection. Next click save network and close to finish this set up.
To make the network function you simply have to take the second computer and search for a local WIFI connection and it should find "home" click connect and your online.
