ok i hve 2 comps(both have ethernet cards) 1 phone line 1 dsl MODEM and 1 5 port switch. the physical setup i can do but how do i configure the dsl modem setting from direct connection (my dsl modem has a ethernet connection jack)
i have both of my comps as their default internet connection as "CONNECT through a lan"
will my dsl modem be able to handle to comps at once?
plz help! oh and also can someone help me on the configuration as well plzNo...you will NEED a router to hand out IP address thru DHCP.

Plug the modems ethernet cable into the router WAN port. Connect your computers to the router. Read your setup manual for the router.

Make sure your network settings are set for Dynamic IP.

Sorry I can't give more detailed info but I'm in the "hit-n-run" mode now

Alan <>< srry my dsl modem is a modem and router in one.What is the brand of your DSL modem and how many port are there at the back? ok it is a Westell Wirespeed DSL Router/Modem it only has one Ethernet port and then it has the phone connection that u plug into the phone line. i called the company and they said it will work but u have to have a network switch and now i have one.mr_skipper24 do u hve the answer? Do the following for me:
Plug one computer directly into the DSL modem, make sure it can get on the internet, now go to Start, Run, and type CMD, press enter.
Now type IPCONFIG and press enter.
Now tell me what it says your ip address is.
If the address is a 192.168.x.x then you don't need a router and IPs are being passed out by the modem. If it's something else then your ISP lied like a *censored* and your modem is not a router.
ok its showning the ip address is 192.168.x.x(cant tell u the rest, its private info) so it is a router.Ok, should be no problem then. Unplug the ethernet cable from that PC and plug it into the Switch. Now plug each of your PCs into the switch.
Go to the network settings on each PC and make sure that TCP/IP properties is set to Automatically Obtain an IP address and DNS servers.
On XP the step by step for that is:
Start, Control Panel, Network Connections, Right Click on LOCAL Area Connection and click Properties, scroll down to TCP/IP and double click it, select Obtain Automatically for both options. Click ok, Click ok.

Now on each PC go to Start, Run, type CMD, press enter, type IPCONFIG, press enter.
Each one should have a 192.168.x.x address. They should all have internet access now as well. If that's not the case then you'll need to log in to your DSL modem/router and make sure the DHCP server is turned on.when you connect one PC to you DSL modem what is the IP address?
Make sure that the DSL is modem is setup as a router (or in router mode) and the DHCP of the modem is enable.
By the way, when you connect your computer to the DSL modem how do you access the internet? do you have a username and password setup on the computer or on the DSL modem?no i have software with the drivers for my dsl modem. it works with networks up to 4 comps. and Emperor its working thanks! No problem. I just helped someone with the exact same problem on another forum.