Need some advice plse.Looking at connecting a laptop upto my home computer.Home computer currently has a Cable Modem hooked up.Can I use a USB cable to connect the 2 together, or do I need to get a Network Kit.Also do I need to get a Router to allow the 2 to use the Internet Connection, or can I just transfer Wx programme, Squawkbox etc over to the Laptop and using WideFS get them to work.ThanksMark

From a recent meeting in my local PC hardware shop you can connect via USB but I would recommend using network cards but do realise that NICs for laptops can be expensive.I have no experience of networking with USB so cannot help there but if you go with NICs I can help :-)There is no *need* for a router although a lot would advise you to get one. You can use Internet Connection Sharing that comes with Win98SE and later for free.I currently use 2 PCs to do what you wish to do and have them connected with NICs and UTP cross-over cable using ICS, both PCs run Win98SE.BTW For flight simming using 2 PCs there is no *need* to allow the second PC (running FS) to connect to the net, you can fly on-line with just the second PC connected to the 'Net and it runs SB, RW, weather program. This PC 'talks' to the FS PC via Widefs which is why there is no *need* for that PC to connect to the 'Net.The only reason to use ICS is if you want the FS PC to connect to the 'Net for reasons other than flying with Vatsim - such as for 'private' MP sessions.HTH

I agree with everything VULCAN said. Im my case, I use the a router/switch though. To use the laptop with the cable modem you need the network card for it anyway so you may as well combine with a router with a built in switch if you go that way. I am not the best person to get advise from for networking solutions so I will end it here. Perhaps Murf or one of those guys can jump in and provide some additional information.

Thanks for the advice guys.Was looking for a quick solution using USB but this does not look possible. Looks like I will need to wait on my dad returning from a business trip to London - He has designed and installed corporate LANs/WANs.Mark

Vulcan,In your case I take it you don't have FS in multiplayer mode? Will other people "see" you, even if you don't "see" them?I'm thinking of not using multiplayer, since it's killing framerates.Kind regards,Stephan Haas

(Hope you don't mind Vulcan, but I will answer this one for you)Vulcan, and everyone else, has to open a multiplayer session in FS in order to have Squawkbox join it. That is how we see him and he sees us. You can do other things to cut down on the frame rate effect in any arrangement. - Using the FS multiplayer option menu, shutting off "display player name" (I think that is how it's labled) is one option- Limiting the number of pilots in the FS session when you set it up may be helpful- Restricting tcas range to something less than 40 miles in the Squawkbox options is another. You can turn it all the way down to zero, and you wont see anyone. Some set it at 5 miles and that works well also but you can still get bogged down on final approach if your system is on the weak side.

Hi Stephen,I do run FS in multiplayer mode and in fact I can see Air Canada livery, and others I think :-)I also have the new VIP software so should be able to see more liveries, guess I'll have to do some checking.It was only recently that I heard some do fly Vatsim without being in MP mode, I find that very strange. As Mike says you have to be in MP mode to use SB - or at least to start it - and the thought never crossed my mind to disable it.Again as Mike says, you can disable the 'send and receive details' boxes in FS MP options as SB does not use them - something else I didn't know until CZ mentioned it a while back in the ng.Cheers

Hi Mark,>Looks like I will need to wait on my dad returning from a business trip to London - He has designed and installed corporate LANs/WANs.

Nah,need the advice on networking for FS use.Mark