Windows 7: Cant connect vista pc and Win7 pc to internet via switch

Im having a serious problem over here. I have been at this for 3 days to no avail. I'll try to cover this as thouroughly as possible.

I just moved in with my parents again and, I brought my PC. I built it myself so there is no manufacturer. I have been trying to connect my mother's office pc and my gaming pc to the internet. I was using a linksys switch but for some reason I cant get internet on both pcs at the same time. It is always one or the other, No matter how many configurations Ive tried for the plugs, no matter how many times I've reset everything.

My pc is vista (don't say anythingm I know. I haven't had the money to upgrade). Mom's is Windows 7 Professional 64bit. On my moms network map, it sees my pc, the switch, the modem, and a weird unknown. Ive tried so many things I cant even remember them all to list them, but they are all beginner level solutions. I even bought a new router, a netgear 5 port 1/100m.

If I plug my pc in and reset the modemm I get internet but mom wont. Mom only gets internet when shes plugged in alone then reset.

It's such a strange problem, and I'm at my wits end, Any suggestions?

The current details on my profile and attached are of my mom's pc. Heather.

Oh and I forgot to mention I have cable internet via Charter.

What type of internet connection from your ISP do you have....cable, DSL, ADSL? What type of hardware setup do you have...ie...modem to router to switch? Are you using the right cables to make connections....although I hear that the new modems and routers can tell the difference and set accordingly.

I edited my post already. I noticed I left that out. I'm using cable via charter. I'm connecting from a motorolla modem to a netgear switch, then from that to the 2 pcs and a gaming console. I'm pretty sure I'm using the right cables. They all worked before. I cant remember their exact version.

Anyone? I really appreciate any suggestions. Mom works online and I cant do anything in the house if we can't get my pc online at the same time.

You need a Router, not a Switch. Your ISP will only give you one IP address unless you pay extra for the 2nd PC. A router will give each PC its own IP address on a private network (yours) and the router will use the IP address from your ISP. What is the model of the Netgear Switch?

Jim

Hmmm. Thst's interesting. Okay. It's a Netgear 5-Port 10/100 Fast Ethernet Switch FS605.

I dont really have much money. Any suggestions of a router equal to or under 30 dollars?

Thanks for your response.

Here are a couple that have good reviews. They are Wireless Routers as no one seems to make a home router without wireless. You can turn off the wireless for security and in the future it is there if needed. It has a Wan port that hooks to your Cable Modem and four Lan ports for your PC's

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100010076&IsNodeId=1&page=2&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&Compare ItemList=145|33-704-037^33-704-037-TS%2C33-704-039^33-704-039-TS

Jim

Thanks!

So true, no router = no DHCP so no IP's will be assigned to the other computers without a router. Modem>router>switch.