How to Connect Two Computers With a Crossover Cable

As more and more households own more than one computer, the need to connect computers to share data and Internet connections through networking arises. Often networks are set up with extra devices such as routers or hubs, but it is possible to hook up two computers directly with a specialized cable called a crossover cable. Crossover cables look identical to Ethernet cables at first glance, though they are often colored differently, and upon closer inspection, the connection heads are wired differently.

Things You'll Need

• Ethernet cards in both computers Additional Ethernet card in main computer

Instructions

1. Shut down both computers.

2. Plug one end of the crossover cable into one computer's Ethernet card, and the other end, into the other computer's card. It doesn't matter which end goes to which PC.

3. Turn on both computers.

4. Run the network setup wizard on both computers. If you plan to connect both computers to the Internet, have the main computer on the Internet as you run the setup. To get to the wizard, click "Start," then "Network Place," and finally "Set up a home or small office network." Restart both computers after the wizard is complete on each.

5. Set the computers to the same work group. It is likely that your computers will work fine after Step 4, but if not, you may need to set them to the same work group. Right-click "My Computer," then click "Properties," and then on the "Computer Name" tab. There should be a work group name listed here: remember it. Now go to the other computer and go to the same "Computer Name" menu and click on "Change." In the field provided enter the name of the work group that was there on the first computer, and click "OK" to apply the changes. After the work group is changed, restart both computers again.

Tips & Warnings

• If you plan on networking more than two computers together, you will need a hub or splitter and several standard Ethernet cables. A standard Ethernet cable will not work to network two computers directly.

Resources

• Pictures of cable heads, and setup information