First of all you need to make some decisions on connecting the computers.
If you only have 2 - 5 computers I highly suggest using RG-58AU coax cabling, also known as cheapernet or thinnet.
This is easily purchased at most Radio Shacks, etc. You will need a "Terminator" on each end of the cable segment and a "T-Connector" for each network card.
(You cannot plug the cable end directly into the card, you must use the "T-Connector")

Or you can use twisted pair using CAT 4 or 5 cable.
If you only have 2 computers you can use a "crossover" cable.
If you have more than that you must use a hub (or multiplexer).
This adds quite a cost and most small networks really don't notice the speed difference between coax and TP.
I have included at the end of this document the pinouts for a twisted pair "crossover" cable.

Second you need to acquire your network cards.
If you have a Pentium computer please make your life easier and purchase one of the many PCI cards available.
If your computer only has ISA slots then I'd get a good NE2000 generic clone.
Both types can be found locally in your area for under $40.00.

If you have a notebook computer please make sure that your PCMCIA is using the true 32 bit drivers.
You will see a PCMCIA icon in your lower right hand corner (the system tray) If not, open the PCMCIA icon under Control Panel and follow the steps to stop using your 16 bit drivers in the config,sys and continue.
Don't worry as you are not using your PCMCIA card to be attached to the network yet A word of advice here do not, the first time your doing this, have your PCMCIA card inserted!!!
Once your PCMCIA socket is correctly seen by Windows 95, insert the card when your just sitting at the desktop!!
You WILL receive the "New Hardware Found" message.
Proceed to section 6

1. If your installing a PCI network card you can PROBABLY skip to section 4

2. Boot Windows 95 before installing your network card.
Go into Device Manager.
Double click Computer (the first entry) You need to first find an available interrupt as all devices need a unique one to function.
Write down an unused interrupt number.
Now click on Input/Output.
Look for unused addresses between 200 and 3E0.
I strongly suggest using the following addresses if unused.
240, 260, 280, 300, 320, 340, 360 as they are the most common.
Write down an unused IO address ( I suggest these as most of the NE2000 compatibles I have seen support them)

3. Shutdown your computer.
Examine your network card and manual.
Does it require you to set hardware jumpers or is it software settable?
If it has jumpers, set the IO Base (Input/Output) and IRQ (Interrupt) to the settings you documented, referring to the manual if needed.
If a jumperless card, boot computer to Previous Version or Command Prompt Only by hitting the key when your computer says "Starting Windows 95"
Insert the diskette that came with you card and run the setup program for the card.
DO NOT allow the program to automatically set your card up...you know more than it does about your computer!
Select the setup program's Manual Mode and input the documented information.
If the program has a testing section for the card with your settings, use it!

4. Restart your computer.
It is probable that you'll get a New Hardware Found message if you have a PCI card I suggest you select Have Disk.
Insert the diskette included with your PCI card.
You may need to browse the directories on the floppy, normally the drivers will be in a "win95" directory.
If you do not have a PCI card, then select Novell/Anthem.
Then NE2000 Compatible
Proceed to section 6

5. Select Network.
Click Add.
Click Adapter.
Select Novell/Anthem.
Select NE2000 Compatible. Click OK.

6. You will be brought to the main network section, and will see Ipx/Spx Protocol, Client for Microsoft Networks and Client for Netware Networks in addition to NE2000 Compatible.
Double click NE2000 Compatible.
Select Resources.
Here you will be able to input the correct settings for your card.

7. I'd suggest here that you click Add, Protocol, Microsoft, Netbeiui

8. Select Identification.
Give your computer a Name, pick a Workgroup name, and then the Descriptive Name.
Try not to use spaces in the Workgroup name, is better that way.
Select Access Control.
Select Share Level.
Select File and Print Sharing in the main Network section.
Select both options.

9. Now you may reboot.
Open My Computer.
Right click Hard Drive you want to share.
Select Sharing.
Select Share As.
Use a descriptive name such as C_Drive or CD_Rom.
Again I suggest not using spaces in the naming scheme.
If you do not require security, give Full Rights.
You will now see a hand under the Icon, signifying that is shareable.
You may share your printers the same way, by opening Printers from the Control Panel, and right-clicking the printer you want to share, and select Sharing

10. Do the same on your workstations, setting up shared drives and printers as needed

11. To access shared drives simply double click Network Neighborhood and then the computer whose resource you want to use.
Right click the remote computer's shared name shown for the drive or printer and map a permanent drive letter to it if a drive or capture it if a printer.

12. If browsing the Network Neighborhood doesn't work.