If you have more than one PC in your office (or even your home), consider installing a network. Networked computers can share files, printers, and even modems (if you buy extra software). Setting up a basic network is easy, and plunging hardware costs are making the task more affordable.

Windows 95 and 98 include a built-in peer-to-peer (PC-to-PC) networking capability that makes it a snap to set up small networks. If your business has more than a few PCs, however, you'll want a full-fledged network operating system such as Windows NT, Novell NetWare, or Linux.

Your hardware choices start with network interface cards. PCI cards are most common, but ISA versions are also available. NICs come in two speeds: 10 megabits per second, and 10 or 100mbps (10/100mbps). The slower, 10mbps cards cost around $40 and offer plenty of speed for sharing files, printers, or Internet access. The 10/100 cards sell for $80 or more and are worth the premium if you run heavy-duty applications such as a central database or if you plan to expand.

If you intend to network only two PCs, you can get by with a pair of NICs and a crossover cable. If your network has three or more computers, you'll need regular network cables and a hub, a central connection box. Hubs also come in 10- and 100mbps speeds. Prices vary widely, but as a guide, a 10mbps unit with four ports costs about $100; eight-port versions run about $140. The 100mbps units are considerably more expensive. You can start with 10/100 NICs and a 10mbps hub, and then upgrade to a 100mbps hub as your needs expand and your budget allows.

If cost is a major concern, you can save some money by buying a networking kit. The Netgear Starter Pack costs around $220 and contains a pair of 10/100 NICs, a four-port hub and cabling. But you can just as easily buy the individual components yourself. Most computer dealers carry them, and the parts may be simple to install without kit instructions. NICs and hubs are always compatible. Some popular component makers include 3Com (www.3com.com.au), Intel (www.intel.com), and Bay Networks (www.baynetworks.com).

If you go the parts-and-pieces route, remember to get Category 5 10Base-T cables, which look like wide standard phone cables. The cost is about $20 for a 5-metre cable and $30 for a 10-metre cable.

To get connected, follow the steps below for each PC on your network.

1. Install the network card. Turn off your PC and take off the cover. Find a free slot, remove the metal cover on the rear of the PC, and insert the card. Fasten it with a screw.

2. Connect the wires. Find a central location for the hub, from which you can easily run cables to each PC on your network. (Remember, the hub requires access to an AC outlet.) Plug a network cable into the connector on the rear of the network card, and then plug the other end into any port on the hub.

3. Install network card software. Turn on your PC. When Windows 95 starts, it'll detect the card and ask you to insert the driver disk. Insert the disk that came with the NIC and click Next. When Windows finds the driver, it'll display a confirmation screen. Click Next.

If Windows doesn't find the driver, click the Browse button on the Device Driver Wizard to look for a likely location for the driver, or check your manual. If you're not sure you've got the latest driver, run Update Device Driver Wizard by opening Device Manager, double-clicking on Network adapters and then your adapter, selecting the Driver tab, and then clicking the Update Driver button.

Windows will copy drivers off the floppy disk and ask you to insert the original Windows disc so that it can copy other network files.

Again, Windows may get confused about where the required files are located. Read the on-screen messages carefully as you proceed.

You'll have to enter a unique name to identify each PC on your network, as well as a workgroup name. Choose any name you wish for the PCs, but use "workgroup" for the workgroup name.

Then restart your PC.

4. Set up an optional start-up password. The first time you start your PC after installing the network card software, a box will pop up on your screen and ask you to enter a user name and a password for Microsoft Networking.

Enter a user name. It will automatically appear every time you start up your computer. (For convenience, you could use the PC name you specified in Step 3.)

If you don't want to bother with a password, leave the line blank and then click OK. Otherwise, enter your password, click OK, and confirm your choice by entering it again.

Note: choose a password that is easy for you (but not for others) to remember. If you forget it, you'll still be able to run Windows 95, but you won't be able to access the network.

5. Set up file and printer sharing. In Explorer or on the desktop, right-click Network Neighborhood, select Properties, and click the File and Print Sharing button under the Configuration tab. To share drives on this PC, check the appropriate box. Also check the appropriate box if you want to share printers. (Don't check the box if you don't have a printer connected to this PC.) Click OK twice. You'll need to restart the PC again before specifying what to share.

If you chose to share drives, in Explorer or on the desktop, open My Computer, right-click the drives or directories you want to share, choose Sharing, and fill in the box. If you chose to share an entire drive, all of that drive's subdirectories will also become available on the network.

6. Use your connections. Open the Network Neighborhood icon to see a list of all the PCs on the network. Double-click the PC you want to work in and choose the drive you wish to access. Consult Windows Help for information on mapping (assigning) network drives.

To use a printer that is connected elsewhere on your network, open My Computer and choose Printers. Check the Network Printer box, click Next, and follow the ensuing directions.

If you experience any problems accessing a printer or PC on the network, check your cable connections. Make sure that the PCs you want to access have sharing enabled and have their drives set up for sharing.

If this doesn't resolve the problem, run the network card diagnostics. Some NICs automatically install a diagnostics icon in your Control Panel when you install the NIC, while others make you run the diagnostic utility by booting from a floppy disk.

More problems? Call tech support.