Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Share Internet connection with an iMac and PC laptop? How?

T

tripo11

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 9, 2007
8
0
Hi guys, I am about to receive my White 20" refurb iMac :), and I want to make sure I understand this before I get it. Here's the deal:

I live in NY and my ISP is TimeWarnerCable.
I currently have a PC laptop running Windows XP. The cable modem is connected through the Ethernet port to it.

I know that I will have to get a Router to share the connection. The main questions are:
-how do I do that?
-is there a recommended router I should get? wi-fi is better, and not more than US$60-70.

I have an Epson printer that I connect via USB with the laptop.
I won't be printing that much from the iMac, but it would be cool if I can print from it via wireless connection. If it's a big deal, I just can't get a longer USB cable and that's it. I don't need to complicate things if it's not necessary.

Finally I want both computers to be "independent". I mean, I don't want to access the Internet through the other computer, PC or iMac. I've read that some people make the XP one the one that "handles" the connection with the iMac. I hope you get what I mean.

If thre's a manual somewhere, just let me know. I tried to look for it but couldn't find any here.

thanks!
 
tripo11 said:
...

Finally I want both computers to be "independent". I mean, I don't want to access the Internet through the other computer, PC or iMac. I've read that some people make the XP one the one that "handles" the connection with the iMac. I hope you get what I mean.

...
Click to expand...
What you are asking for is what a router does.

Buy wireless router with RJ45 (Ethernet) ports. Look for one that has a USB port so that it can serve as a print server. Run power to the router and an Ethernet cable between your cable modem and the WAN port of your router.

Connect an Ethernet cable between your iMac and one of your router's LAN ports. connect the printer to the router via USB.

When the router is powered-up, you should be able to connect wirelessly from the PC laptop. You should will be able to connect from the iMac. Airport Extreme can forward USB ports. You may, however, have to use a CUPS driver. If you choose another router, you will definitely have to use a CUPS driver for your printer.
 
tripo11 said:
thanks sergeyo, but I'm actually looking for something more affordable like I said. (Airport Extreme: US$180)
Click to expand...

The Airport Express (cheaper) will actually do everything you want, as well (it can do USB printers, but NOT hard disks, which the Extreme can do, but you didn't ask for). The Apple configuration tools are fantastic, and may be worth the extra bit of money since you're new at this.

Otherwise, I'd recommend a Linksys router. Their web-based configuration interface is alright, they're pretty good about releasing updates, and I've never had a serious problem with one. D-Link I've had all sorts of problems with.
 
tripo11 said:
Finally I want both computers to be "independent". I mean, I don't want to access the Internet through the other computer, PC or iMac. I've read that some people make the XP one the one that "handles" the connection with the iMac. I hope you get what I mean.
Click to expand...

Visualize said:
Here's what I would do= http://pimpmymac.wordpress.com/2007/09/11/how-to-turn-your-mac-into-an-airport/

Both the receiver and host machine has to be wireless capable. The downside is that the host has to be up and running for the Internet to be shared.

It's cheaper than buying a wireless router but has its downsides.
Click to expand...

Check out mac-forums.com and go to FAQ's, there is a great faq on both of these issues by member CWA107.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back