Help to network work pcs

[ScBHavoK]

Tried googling what I'm trying to do but finding it very confusing
Hoping someone can clear it up here! Not very clued up on networking please be kind

We have 2 pcs running xp networked via a getnet switch. A cable between pc1's mobo ethernet port to switch and a cable from switch to pc2's mobo ethernet port. This has worked fine for accessing each pcs harddrive and printer sharing etc for the past 7 years or so.

We recently had broadband installed in the unit and now have a netgear dgn2200 v4 router in place. We tried running a cable from router to switch but won't work. I'm unsure if the switch can share out the broadband connection or not.

I don't know if this is right what I'm wanting to do or if there's an easier way around this but .... I have a spare nic out of an old machine. If I install this in pc1 can I then cable this to router and share net connection through the existing network?

Any help appreciated

 

[ScBHavoK]

Thanks for the reply just for the record the switch is model
GS-115P if that makes any difference.

Do you mean I can do away with switch and just run a ethernet cable directly to router from both pcs?

Will this be the best option do you think?

What I'm hoping is to still be able to access each others harddrive and print from both pcs as well as have net access on both pcs.
Will this also be safe do you know? ie hds accessible over the net?

Thanks again

 

[ScBHavoK]

Thanks for all your input but we have decided to just get a couple of usb WiFi pens for the time being. We have a network technician coming up from another branch in a few weeks to set us properly