[emma_matthews]

I have an apple iMac computer, running OS X(10.1) which has the *original* Apple Airport base station.

I have a desktop PC, running windows XP, which has a direct broadband connection. A printer is attached to this computer only. A standard 802.11b card is installed in the pc.

I also have a laptop, running windows XP. A standard 802.11b card is installed in the laptop also.

Using the above setup, I want to be able to access the internet on all 3 systems, share files, and also print from any of the 3 computers.

I am very confused as to how to achieve this, mainly due to the fact a iMac is involved, and also the base station is connected to the Mac, whilst the broadband connection is connected to the desktop PC. This cannot be changed.

I am very new to this, and was wondering if anyone could give me step by step instructions. I have spent countless hours trying to figure this out with no sucess

Thanks in advance

Emma

[aaanorton]

It should go like this:

cable/DSL modem > ABS > all computers via 802.11b cards

You say that the PC must remain connected to the modem, which I don't understand. To share the connection, you'd need to put the modem into the ABS, which would then share that to all clients.

[emma_matthews]

Thanks aaanorton. However, I cannot change the fact the braodband connection is connected to the desktop pc not the ABS. i.e. At the moment the desktop PC has broadband access via it's own modem etc. This cannot be changed.

I want to achieve internet sharing without changing this, i.e. the modem cannot be connected to the ABS. I've seen this done, but don't know how.

[ghporter]

Emma, exactly how is the PC "directly connected" to your broadband connection? Is it through a USB cable from the modem, or something different?

You may need to use Internet Connection Sharing, which has been standard in all Windows OSs since Win98 at least. That part is fairly simple.

If you'll let us know what sort of broadband you have and exactly how it's connected to the PC, we can sort things out for you. I hope.