Newbie: How do I network PC's using a Linksys router and DSL?

I have about 3 PC's now. One is a laptop.
Have a DSL connection from BellSouth. I might change to Roadrunner
Cable Modem

My PC's are running Windows 2000, Windows XP Home and Windows ME. I
can upgrade one or more of the PC's to Windows 2k Pro and Windows XP
Pro if needed.

I would like to perform the following and being in marketing have
little knowledge of computer networking. My male computer user friends
who I thought might know a little more - do not know how to do this
either.

I would like to:
1. Be able to share the DSL line for Internet purposes
2. Be able to print from any PC to either of my 2 printers (not
Ethernet connected but locally connected to 2 PC's)
3. Be able to share files across all PC's if possible. If not possible
then, be able to store PC's locally on the local machine and also on
the server.


I have heard terms like Internet Connection sharing, remote printers,
WAN connected printers, File Shares, Network Mapping, Administrative
Rights, Computer Names, NAT, Ports, Firewall protection, IP addresses,
and on and on...

I did cal Linksys with no luck. I called a local Networking Firm but
they wanted a lot of money which I do not have, and I have even joined
Experts-Exchange.com but thought I would start here first.

Where do I start?

Are there any tutorials on line?

Any decent book that is easy to read and can get me up and running in
a day?

Thanks so much in advance.
Please be kind in your replies.
Respectfully
Phyllis
North Carolina

"Joe Donaldson" <tryitoz@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:33cea2e8.0406271819.15fbd824@posting.google.c om...
I would give the following site a look see.
On the left of the page is a Tutorial section that may give you the boost
you need.
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/review.asp?pid=484

The site just mentioned, www.practicallynetworked.com/review.asp?pid=484 ,
is very good...some others that are not bad are www.homenethelp.com and you
can check out some tips from Linksys at http://www.linksys.com/edu/

Some *very* random things to add:

(I presume you are talking wireless broadband router...)

-I'd share only very specific folders and/or create new folders for the
purpose of sharing, and determine whether to have full access or limited
access (where files cannot be modified, for example) on these. Note that the
"Shared Documents" folders you see in XP are meant for sharing stuff with
other users of that same PC, so I wouldn't *necessarily* have those set to
be shared on the network.
-Strongly urge turning WEP (WPA if available) on on router for security.
Other things that help are changing the default name (SSID) for the network,
then turning off SSID Broadcast, and, if feasible and available, set up
router to only connect with remote computers that have a specific MAC
address.
-I found that I couldn't share files without disabling Auto-Protect in
Norton Anti-Virus on the computer I was physically at at the time
(remembering to enable it when done)
-Software firewalls can sometimes cause issues with being able to use
messenger services (Windows Messenger, AOL AIM, Yahoo Messenger, etc.).
Shutting them down didn't work in my case...I had to completely uninstall
them. Kerio Firewall didn't cause problems. Also, make sure Windows ICF
firewall is off
IF running other software firewall program. An unrelated aside...ZoneAlarm
(free version) interferes with making AOL *dial-up* connections (at least
with all my computers), but TCP/IP connections to AOL were OK. Kerio
Firewall fixed this problem
-Mapping drives gives network locations specific drive letters. That might
cause delays if you don't always have those PCs on. You might not have to
worry about this right away...you can (in XP) go to Network Locations and
find the computers on your network
-And, of course, make sure you are caught up with Windows Update on all your
machines

Scott


"GlowingBlueMist" <nobody@invalid.com> wrote in message
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"Joe Donaldson" <tryitoz@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:33cea2e8.0406271819.15fbd824@posting.google.c om...
You need an EXTERNAL, ETHERNET style modem, either DSL or Cable. You
probably already have this, but if you switch Internet providers, make sure
your modem is external and ETHERNET. It can be USB also, but must be
ethernet. Add to that a broadband sharing router with (built in Wireless
Access Point) and built in print server that is compatible with at least one
of your printers. That is the simplest solution for you that will
accomplish most (if not all) of what you want to do. Then get a wireless
access card for your notebook computer. Then enable file and print sharing
on all of your computers. No need to upgrade OS, unless you want to.
Done!!! -Dave

Thanks so much


"Dave C." <mdupre@sff.net> wrote in message news:<2kafriF23mU1@uni-berlin.de>...

Connect
"Joe Donaldson" <tryitoz@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:33cea2e8.0406271819.15fbd824@posting.google.c om...