Currently, I live at home with only 1 pc, so I have never had any experience with networking of any kind. In September, I will be going away to university where I will be sharing a room with either 1 or 3 other people, all who have their own computers, we want to share an internet connection. I'm not sure if the connection with be cable or DSL if that matters. As far as I know, all I need to do is connect the cable/dsl modem into the router, connect all the pcs and set them up accordingly. It this all I need, or am I missing something? If there are any little issues I might not think of, please let me know becaus I don't want to have to fuss with this when the time comes. Thanks.

Well, it's simple but it usually works. If you don't already have it, you could also get WinXP because there's a simple wizard with it which helps you setting up your connection.

But I don't have much experience with networting so don't take my word on it...

Hey pal,

The best way to configure DSL over multiple pcs is to use a router.
And even better would be a router with dsl modem inside, like E-tech.

When you installed the router/modem, you can enable DHCP server,
so all workstations will automatically get the right ip settings and dont
have to change everything manually! after this make sure you set the
right firewall settings (if your router has this).

Good luck!
Viper

Are you wanting to just share an internet connection or are you going to share files between all the PC's? Sharing internet is pretty simple, just pretty much do what Viper said, but file sharing (networking) can be a little tougher. Depending upon what OS's ya'll are using it can be picky when it comes to setting it up. The biggest tip I can give you is to shut everything down, PC's, router, modem, etc. , then power up from the modem to the PC's in order. Usually modem, router,hub or switch if ya got it, then each PC.

Good Luck

Thanks for the info.
Sharing the internet connection is the main issue, but it is likely we will want to share files too, I'm not concerned with getting that working right away though.

It'll be a whole lot easier if every pc is running XP. Just plug n play. You are bound to encounter some problems (eg:can't detect pc or network) with older Windows version. Just like Auburn says, the best way is to turn off everything, plug in your new hardware and then power them up. Just let Windows set up everything automatically.

I think 3 of the 4 pcs are running XP, the other is running 98 as of now, but I'll do what I can do make the owner change it (old pc with weird hardware).

I have one dial-up connection and internal modem. WindowsXP is the server, one eight port neworkswitch connect to: Windows98 and two Windows2000 Pro. op-system. I share Internet on all of them. Also I can share files. Windows Xp is the controler Make sure your XP as Service Pack1A needed for security and updates.
This is my network, something similiar should aply to you if you use WindowsXP.

Sharing on windows98 is a bit tricky you have to use the wizard disk from windows Xp Profesional. You run it in windows98. You can also share The admistrator share password of windowsXP more advance features, on Windows98 user. Some one out there can probably do this better than me.