creating my first network connection!!!! (Im a rookie!!!!!)

Although you can connect the network cards in the two computers together with a special network cable, called a cross-over cable (assuming that the 4300 has an ethernet network adapter), the best option is usually a router.  What kind of internet connection do you have (cable/dsl/dialup)?  If it is cable or dsl, does the modem have the ability to connect through ethernet or is it a USB - only modem?  Are both computers located near enough to each other that you would not need a wireless connection?  Please provide more details of your setup and we can offer better advice.

 

Steve

 

I have cable internet connection and it has the ability to connect through the ethernet.  The computers will be in the same area right next to each other.

In order to be able to share the internet connection and create a network using a cross-over cable, you would need 2 ethernet network cards in the computer that connects to the cable modem and you would have to use Internet Connection Sharing software (built into Windows) running on the computer that connects to the modem.   This a complex solution.  A better solution would be to get a cable/dsl router.  Non-wireless versions of such routers can be found for about $20 after rebate.  You would then connect the router to the cable modem and connect each computer to one of the 4 available LAN ports on the router.  The router would allow you share the internet connection as well have a local network for transfrerring files back and forth between computers.  It is much easier to set this up with a router and is far more reliable than using a cross-over cable and internet connection sharing.

 

Steve