Computer whizzes help again...

[doczinn]

Can I network a PC and a mac without any heroic efforts?

[lumpy]

this should help...

http://www.homepcnetwork.com/pcmacovrf.htm

personally I use a USB flash drive... 

[doczinn]

Maybe I should clarify:

I want to use one router and modem for a PC and a mac (if I buy a mac). Transferring files is not so important, but would be nice.

[Guest]

Yes. It will work. Both connecting to the router/modem=zero problems. Transferring files can be a little tricky every now and then. I found Mac to recognize the Windows machine much more easily than vice versa. YMMV.

[lee n. field]

Yes, for various values of "heroic effort".

OSX uses Samba http://us4.samba.org/samba/ for Winders networking.

want to use one router and modem for a PC and a mac (if I buy a mac). Transferring files is not so important, but would be nice.

Ah.  That's flat out trivial. Probably all you have to do is plug them both in (unless someone's been monkeying with the TCP/IP settings).

[doczinn]

Well, the reason I ask is that I currently use a wireless router to network my wife's (pc) laptop both to the Internet and to my (pc) computer, and she can't connect to the internet if my computer is turned off. So it seems like my computer is somehow involved in the process.

But if it's that simple, cool.

[cordex]

If you have a distinct wireless router appliance (and are not using your desktop+wireless card as an ad-hoc router) then you should be able to set up your network to work independently of your desktop.  It is possible your network is configured to use the desktop as a DHCP server so when your wife's connects, it tries to contact the desktop to obtain an IP address.  The wireless router should be capable of acting as a DHCP server itself, and should probably be configured that way before you add a Mac to the mix.

What is the make and model of your wireless router?

[Harold Tuttle]

turn on windows file sharing in OS X's Sharing "System Preference" and BAMM it works

"Windows users can access your computer at \\192.168.1.100\HarryTuttle"

this is within the subnet created by my Linksys wireless hub

seeing the windows machine on the mac would require M$ acting as a cooperative netizen

i don't bother

[lumpy]

I want to use one router and modem for a PC and a mac (if I buy a mac). Transferring files is not so important, but would be nice.

i you're not transfering files then you don't need to do anything just plug them into the router, if you're using DHCP (which is pretty standard) both computers should automatically connect. if you want to tranfer files you'd serve yourself to get a program called PCMACLAN, it's pretty cheap it think. it allows the windows machine to see the mac like any other PC.

[doczinn]

If you have a distinct wireless router appliance (and are not using your desktop+wireless card as an ad-hoc router) then you should be able to set up your network to work independently of your desktop.  It is possible your network is configured to use the desktop as a DHCP server so when your wife's connects, it tries to contact the desktop to obtain an IP address.  The wireless router should be capable of acting as a DHCP server itself, and should probably be configured that way before you add a Mac to the mix.

That's kinda like Spanish to me. I understand the words, but don't know what all of them mean.

What is the make and model of your wireless router?

Now that I can understand: It's a Netgear WGR614 v5.

just plug them into the router,

One's a wireless connection. Actually, if I buy a mac it'll be a laptop, and they'll both be wireless connections.

[lumpy]

once the router is functional the PC should connect automatically and the mac just needs you to select the router (easy). you may need a touch of help from your provider configuring the logon to your service.