How can i access the internet using a non-wireless...

Question

Before upgrading my BT broadband to BT Infinity, I was able to connect my two desktop PC's to the BTHUB2 without a problem. One of them is running Windows 7 and has a wireless connection, the other is running Windows XP and does not have a wireless adapter but it was connected by an ethernet cable to the BTHub2 which was portable and could therefore be plugged into any of the telephone sockets that were positioned around the house.
Unfortunately, since upgrading to the BTHub3 which is not portable, the Windows XP PC is too far away to connect using an ethernet cable and it is impractical to move it closer to the hub.
I'm happy with the position of the hub and do not wish to move it, so I need to consider other options.
As both PC's are in the same room, I understand that it is possible to link them with a Lan cable, and this will enable me to add the XP PC to my home network.
What I would like to know is what cable I need. (ie. what do I ask for) ? Is it an ethernet crossover cable ?
I'm sure that other BT Infinity users must have experienced a similar problem with older non-wireless equipment that is not in close proximity to the hub. I would be grateful for any advice that may help me to find the best solution to the problem.          

Answer 1

Thank you for confirming that a LAN and ethernet connection are the same thing. I have tried linking the two PC's with an ethernet cable and I've read so many articles on how to configure them both to enable the XP computer to connect to the internet via the WIN7 computer and it's wireless connection to the BTHub3, but I'm afraid that I'm now more confused than when I started.
It should be possible to do so, but unless someone can explain the correct procedure in step-by-step fashion, I don't think that I will ever find the solution using this method.
Using a power line solution sounds like a simpler solution, but even that raises more questions.
Just to clarify the problem as I understand it -
The BT Hub is static and positioned in the hallway.
Both PC's are in the same upstairs room.
The room has a telephone socket on an extension which works with a telephone. There are also power sockets available.
I already have a home network set up with the WIN7 wireless PC as the host.
I have wireless devices connected to the home network that are working perfectly (eg.  HDTV,Xbox360, Laptop), but can I heck figure out how to connect the WIN XP to the home network.
I have managed to connect it directly to the Hub using an ethernet cable, but it involved carrying it downstairs into the hall and plugging the ethernet cable directly into the hub, and although this worked a treat, I need the PC to be upstairs.
Using a long ethernet cable is not an option either I'm afraid. Apart from the untidiness, I believe that it would seriously reduce the speed of the BT Infinity connection, which is also the reason that BT do not recommend plugging the hub into a telephone extension socket.
So far, using the ethernet cable between the two PC's and using the Networking Connection Wizard on the XP PC, I have tried connecting using the local area network with limited success. The STATUS window shows that it is connected with a speed of 100.0 Mbps, but the ACTIVITY only shows that there are packets being sent, none received. Also, clicking on Internet Explorer brings up a window stating that no connection to the internet is avalable.
However, my initial optimism that this at least indicated that progress had been made quickly disappeared after adding the   XP machine as a device to my Homegroup on the WIN7 PC.  The  local area connection STATUS window on the WIN7 PC shows the media state as 'enabled' and 'speed 100.0 Mbps', but again it only shows that packets are being sent and none received. Furthermore,  IPv4 connectivity is showing 'no internet access' and IPv6 connectivity shows 'no network access'.
I've tried running Windows Network Diagnostics and the troubleshooter stated that the Local Area Connection does not have a valid IP configuration. Here is the troubleshooting report:
Issues found:
"Local Area Connection" doesn't have a valid IP configuration  NOT FIXED
Reset the "Local Area Adapter"                                             Completed
Investigate router or broadband modem issues                      Completed
Details about network adapter diagnosis:
Network adapter Local Area Connection driver information:
Description............................ Intel (R) 82562v-2 10/100 Network Connection
Manufacturer......................... Intel
Provider................................ Microsoft
Version................................. 9.13.4.10
Inf File Name........................ C:\Windows\INF\netele32.inf
Inf File Date.......................... Monday,  July 13, 2009   8:46:31 PM
Section Name........................ E104C
Hardware ID......................... pci\ven_8086&dev_10c0
Instance Status Flags............. 0x180200a
Device Manager Status Code.. 0
IfType.................................. 6
Physical Media Type.............. 0  
The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties on both PC's for the Local Area Connection were input as follows:
IP address: 192.168.1.68 (with 68 being the next device number available)
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.254
Preferred DNS server: 192.168.1.254
Alternate DNS server: . . . .
I've also tried configuring the above properties by ticking the box 'Automatically detect settings', but it reports no connectivity. I haven't tried the third available configuration option which is 'using a proxy server', because I don't know if it is relevant or not and it is asking me to input an 'address' and 'port' ?
Any solution ideas would be greatly appreciated.