Router Help

[mcadam123]

Hello, i just need a little advice on routers.

I have 2 computers in the house, both on xp. They are networked so that 1 is the main connection and the other is the sub connection.

The problem is when the main pc is off, the other pc's internet is dissconected so i was thinking of buying a router.

Can anyone tell me what it is i need to make this router work exaclty, because i have a NIC card and a network card in the main pc, and just a network card in the other.

What im wanting to no is if i get a router, can i use the network cards i already have, or do i need to buy another nic card? and if i get it, will both pcs be conncected to the internet standalone? like they will work even if the other 1 is off?

Also if this works , im looking for a cheap router to buy off the net, i had a look at 1ns on www.dealtime.co.uk, so im wanting the cheapest 1 that will do the job!

thanks martin

[Confused]

Just use the NIC's you have. Use straight thru cables from NIC to router. Each PC will be connected independant of the other using a router.

I presume you are on a high speed always on connection and not dial-up. Routers (at least here in the states aren't for dial up connections).
Chas

[yellohut]

Originally Posted By mcadam123 Can anyone tell me what it is i need to make this router work exaclty, because i have a NIC card and a network card in the main pc, and just a network card in the other.

I think you may be confused.. An NIC is a Netowrk card, it is short for Network Interface Card. As long as you have a network card each PC (and it sounds like you do) than all you need is a router. Both will work independantly of each other online. Just make sure that your cable/DSL modem accepts CAT 5, RJ-45 cabling (the networking cable). If there is only a USB port on the modem, then you may have to get a new one, or stick with the way you're doing it.
I like linksys and D-Link for networking, but that's just because I'm famliar with them.