Networking problem

Hi all, I'm new to networking so I'm having some problems. I have three computers I'd like to network: A Dell PC with Win98 SE (connected to cable modem), an old Micron PC with Win95, and a new Compaq Laptop with Windows XP. I'm using or trying to use Linksys Homelink 10M Phoneline networking (A 10M Phoneline Cable/Dsl Router, Two 10M Phoneline network cards and one 10M laptop network card).

I just finished installing the laptop network card, but it keeps saying the "network cable is unplugged" even though I hooked up the phone wire from the laptop to the outlet.

Another problem is that I can't see other computers in the network. Is this because I didn't hookup the router yet ? How do I set up a networking account with user name and password to log on to the network?

Thanks for any info.

 

The laptop will not work if you are using a standard PCMCIA network card and connecting it to a phone line. You need to hook the phone line up to the router and then all your PC's/Laptops to the hub. If you get a phone card for tha laptop it should work.

 

The thing is that I'm using the Linksys Phoneline Laptop PC card, but the laptop still says that the device is unplugged.