I've been a Mac user for years, using most recently a beige G3 running OS9. Recently my son gave me a Sony PC with Windows XP (home, I guess) and I've been trying to network them. I bought a copy of Timbuktu for both computers thru Ebay but it turned out to be an outdated copy. Besides, I couldn't get it to work with the Mac. What is LDAP?
Then I tried Ethernet cables; bought one, didn't work. Set up network according to instructions, PC said cable was unplugged but it wasn't. So I bought another cable, thinking that one was faulty. Still doesn't work. I talked to son, asked if Ethernet connector worked before, he said yes, he had used it to run his cable modem previously. Mentioned a crossover cable; don't know what that is, if not Ethernet.
I've got a couple of FTP accounts set up for file transfer but I want to connect both computers and buy a new laser printer to attach to the PC, hoping I can use the PC monitor and keyboard and just the CPU of the Mac. This would cut down on the space I need to operate.
What do I do next to network these two computers? I've read some articles but sometimes they mention an IP number; where do those come from? Would appreciate any advice.
Then I tried Ethernet cables; bought one, didn't work. Set up network according to instructions, PC said cable was unplugged but it wasn't. So I bought another cable, thinking that one was faulty. Still doesn't work. I talked to son, asked if Ethernet connector worked before, he said yes, he had used it to run his cable modem previously. Mentioned a crossover cable; don't know what that is, if not Ethernet.
I've got a couple of FTP accounts set up for file transfer but I want to connect both computers and buy a new laser printer to attach to the PC, hoping I can use the PC monitor and keyboard and just the CPU of the Mac. This would cut down on the space I need to operate.
What do I do next to network these two computers? I've read some articles but sometimes they mention an IP number; where do those come from? Would appreciate any advice.