Category Archives: Computer Tips

I wrote an email to a bloke called Simon and tried to explain how to network a Mac and a PC together. This is one of those things that is in fact easier to do than to explain, but it isn’t a straightforward process by any measure.

The email I wrote relied on there being a router involved and both machines connected to it, receiving DHCP addresses from it. The instructions on doing this bit are usually included with your router and would probably be part of the initial set up that you go through. From there you need to follow the steps here to get it all running.

I am using Mac OSX 10.4.x and Win XP Pro, but it works the same with Win XP Home. This is what I said:
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I first got an ADSL broadband connection in August 2001 and was pleased to receive a green frog type Alcatel ‘speedtouch’ USB modem. This was going to be the answer to my prayers, but soon turned into a bit of a nightmare.

I use a Mac G4 desktop computer and a PC, both of which (naturally) have USB ports and both I wanted to connect to the Internet. Back in 2001 I was working in OS9, even though OSX was just about available. With OS9 I had a chance of setting up the connection for the speedtouch modem and using the mac as a gateway – sharing the internet connection with other machines on the network.
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