Connect two computers to one wireless adapter?

Ithryndil · 10-10-2008, 11:06 AM

Is it possible for two computers to be connected to one wireless adapter? Or, can I run an ethernet cable from the computer connected to the wireless adapter to another computer so that the second computer can browse the internet? Thanks for your help.

**johnwill** · 10-10-2008, 11:30 AM

If the wireless adapter is connected to a router, you can simply bridge the two connections and use a crossover cable to connect the two computers. If this is a wireless ISP, you may have to use ICS on the computer with the ISP connection.

Take a look at this Microsoft ICS (Internet Connection Sharing tutorial.

Ithryndil · 10-10-2008, 11:32 AM

I am using a wireless adapter which it connected to the router. Is a crossover cable simply an ethernet cable or something that looks like an ethernet cable but is different? When I had Vonage I had to hook up the router to the Vonage device, and then from their into my computer, would one of those cables work?

Ithryndil · 10-10-2008, 12:11 PM

Anyone?

globalkilla · 10-10-2008, 12:54 PM

Yes a crossover cable is an ethernet cable, they come in Patch and Crossover. To link PC's together you will need the Crossover ethernet cable (just give it a go and see if it works with your cable).

Then just do what johnwill said.

GlobalKilla
"You're a victim of the rules you live by!"

Ithryndil · 10-10-2008, 03:43 PM

I read somewhere that I would need two cards for this? Is that true, My motherboard has a slot for an ethernet cable and so does the second computer.

Ithryndil · 10-10-2008, 07:44 PM

B u m p

Ithryndil · 10-30-2008, 10:23 PM

I am not sure if I understand how to do this. I plugged in the crossover ethernet cable into my computer and then directly into the other computer. My computer has the wireless adapter connecting it to the internet. I ran the setup wizard on the client computer but the Internet Gateway only shows up when the wireless adapter is working. However, I am wanting to RMA that wireless adapter because it is defective. I do have a password on my computer, would that effect it or am I simply going about this the wrong way?

**johnwill** · 10-31-2008, 09:00 AM

Obviously, you need a working wireless adapter to do the ICS configuration first.

Take a look at this Microsoft ICS (Internet Connection Sharing tutorial.

globalkilla · 10-31-2008, 11:26 AM

Try to Bridge the Wireless connection with the LAN on your computer, thats what I have to do with my XBOX 360. Make sure that ICS is turned OFF or it won't let you Bridge the connection.

Goto Network Connections and select both the LAN and Wireless, then right click and Brige Connections.

Hope this helps,

GlobalKilla
"You're a victim of the rules you live by!"

Ithryndil · 10-31-2008, 05:46 PM

Ok, so I bridged the connections, but on the computer which doesn't have the adapter, nothing is showing up nor am I able to browse the web with that computer. I have the Ethernet cable plugged directly into my computer and from mine into the other computer. Is there a way to check the cable to see if it is the right cable? Also, my computer has a working adapter. Thanks for your help.

10-10-2008, 11:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ithryndil Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 117 OS: Windows XP	Connect two computers to one wireless adapter? Is it possible for two computers to be connected to one wireless adapter? Or, can I run an ethernet cable from the computer connected to the wireless adapter to another computer so that the second computer can browse the internet? Thanks for your help.

10-10-2008, 11:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,748 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Connect two computers to one wireless adapter? If the wireless adapter is connected to a router, you can simply bridge the two connections and use a crossover cable to connect the two computers. If this is a wireless ISP, you may have to use ICS on the computer with the ISP connection. Take a look at this Microsoft ICS (Internet Connection Sharing tutorial. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

10-10-2008, 11:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ithryndil Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 117 OS: Windows XP	Re: Connect two computers to one wireless adapter? I am using a wireless adapter which it connected to the router. Is a crossover cable simply an ethernet cable or something that looks like an ethernet cable but is different? When I had Vonage I had to hook up the router to the Vonage device, and then from their into my computer, would one of those cables work? Last edited by Ithryndil; 10-10-2008 at 11:33 AM.

10-10-2008, 12:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ithryndil Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 117 OS: Windows XP	Re: Connect two computers to one wireless adapter? Anyone?

10-10-2008, 12:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
globalkilla Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 10 OS: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 My System	Re: Connect two computers to one wireless adapter? Yes a crossover cable is an ethernet cable, they come in Patch and Crossover. To link PC's together you will need the Crossover ethernet cable (just give it a go and see if it works with your cable). Then just do what johnwill said. GlobalKilla "You're a victim of the rules you live by!"

10-10-2008, 03:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ithryndil Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 117 OS: Windows XP	Re: Connect two computers to one wireless adapter? I read somewhere that I would need two cards for this? Is that true, My motherboard has a slot for an ethernet cable and so does the second computer.

10-10-2008, 07:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ithryndil Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 117 OS: Windows XP	Re: Connect two computers to one wireless adapter? B u m p

10-30-2008, 10:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ithryndil Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 117 OS: Windows XP	Re: Connect two computers to one wireless adapter? I am not sure if I understand how to do this. I plugged in the crossover ethernet cable into my computer and then directly into the other computer. My computer has the wireless adapter connecting it to the internet. I ran the setup wizard on the client computer but the Internet Gateway only shows up when the wireless adapter is working. However, I am wanting to RMA that wireless adapter because it is defective. I do have a password on my computer, would that effect it or am I simply going about this the wrong way?

10-31-2008, 09:00 AM	#9 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,748 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Connect two computers to one wireless adapter? Obviously, you need a working wireless adapter to do the ICS configuration first. Take a look at this Microsoft ICS (Internet Connection Sharing tutorial. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

10-31-2008, 11:26 AM	#10 (permalink)
globalkilla Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 10 OS: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 My System	Re: Connect two computers to one wireless adapter? Try to Bridge the Wireless connection with the LAN on your computer, thats what I have to do with my XBOX 360. Make sure that ICS is turned OFF or it won't let you Bridge the connection. Goto Network Connections and select both the LAN and Wireless, then right click and Brige Connections. Hope this helps, GlobalKilla "You're a victim of the rules you live by!" Last edited by globalkilla; 10-31-2008 at 11:27 AM.

10-31-2008, 05:46 PM	#11 (permalink)
Ithryndil Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 117 OS: Windows XP	Re: Connect two computers to one wireless adapter? Ok, so I bridged the connections, but on the computer which doesn't have the adapter, nothing is showing up nor am I able to browse the web with that computer. I have the Ethernet cable plugged directly into my computer and from mine into the other computer. Is there a way to check the cable to see if it is the right cable? Also, my computer has a working adapter. Thanks for your help. Last edited by Ithryndil; 10-31-2008 at 06:11 PM.