one wireless connection over two computers?

I'm running my desktop off of a wireless connection. How would I share this connection with my laptop without having to buy a wireless adapter since the laptop doesn't have built in wireless. would connecting an ethernet cord from the laptop and the desktop work somehow?

Ad Hoc WiFi. Look it up for your adapter.

msabo said:

Ad Hoc WiFi. Look it up for your adapter.

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No.

Assuming your desktop and laptop both have unused ethernet ports, you'll want to enable internet connection sharing. Hers a good guide for Windows XP. Note that ICS is a bit touchy and is far from an ideal solution. Ideally you'll want to purchase either a wireless bridge (Sometimes referred to as an ethernet converter) or a router capable as functioning as one. The cost would be comparable with purchasing a wireless card for your laptop.

State the brand of your WiFi adapters and I'll explain how to set up a simple AdHoc WiFi solution. You don't need to purchase anything, I've done what you need to do plenty of times. Its part of the spec but not often used.

http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wireless/ht/setupadhocwifi.htm

thecomputeraddict said:

my laptop without having to buy a wireless adapter since the laptop doesn't have built in wireless.

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He can't apply Ad Hoc. He needs for the Desktop to connect to the wireless, then use a crossover cable to the laptop and enable internet sharing on the desktop. I think thats the procedure, I cant remember if he needs a crossover cable or just a normal cat5 would work.

He can't apply Ad Hoc. He needs for the Desktop to connect to the wireless, then use a crossover cable to the laptop and enable internet sharing on the desktop. I think thats the procedure, I cant remember if he needs a crossover cable or just a normal cat5 would work.

Click to expand...

Depends on the NIC.

ah right, because some of the better/newer NICs will automatically do crossover.

1000 pardons, I misread the original OP request (twice).

Yep, a crossover cable will work for sure and as was pointed out sometimes the NIC will actually crossover for you. I have made crossover cables for temporary applications such as moving GBs of data from one PC to another where I didn't want all that traffic on the LAN. I simply took a patch cable, cut it in the middle and crossed the appropriate wires, no need to crimp a new RJ45.
http://www.duxcw.com/digest/Howto/network/cable/cable5.htm

If you want to buy an ethernet patch cable, they are only a couple of bucks
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812119153