Simply connecting two PCs [HELP!!!]

[mendhak]

All I'd like to do is to connect this PC and laptop together. I've gotten a crosswire cable, and here's the step-by-step list:

1. Get crossover cable, pay lots of money for it
2. Plug into LAN cards on PC and laptop
3. On desktop, set IP address to 192.168.1.101, subnet mask to 255.255.255.0, default gateway to 192.168.1.101
4. On laptop, set IP address to 192.168.1.100, subnet mask to 255.255.255.0, default gateway to 192.168.1.101

Should work, shouldn't it? They just can't see each other. I've tried accessing them as

\\192.168.1.100

and also tried pinging. They don't show up in the Network places either.

What am I missing?

[mendhak]

Here is what I get when I ping:

Pinging 192.168.1.100 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 192.168.1.100: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Reply from 192.168.1.100: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Reply from 192.168.1.100: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Request timed out.

[dglienna]

use the network connection wizard to set things up for you. for some reason, I was having the same problem. after running the wizard, I found out that I didn't have File and Printer Sharing turned on, and turned it on.
It worked.

[<ABX]

What are the operating systems?

Ensure that the media types of both devices are the same. -->

Open My Network Places
On the left task pane click "View Network Connections" (can also just right click > Properties on whitespace in My Network Places)

Right click on the Network Adapter that is being used with the crossover
select "Properties"


Your Screen should look simliar to this

Click "Configure..." and Select the "Advanced" tab.


Your Screen should look simliar to this

Because of the way different adapters list this setting it may vary from the instruction.

On this network adapter the setting is called "MediaType" but this may vary.
Auto_Config/Auto_Sense/ect is the best to use but it may not allways function correctly.

Try Setting both network cards to "100TX Full Duplex".

"100TX Full Duplex" - Allows communication at 100Mbits/s can send data two directions simultaneously.
"100TX" (half-duplex) - Allows communication at 100Mbits/s can send data one direction at a time
"10TX Full Duplex" - Allows communication at 10Mbits/s can send data two directions simultaneously.
"10TX" (half-duplex) - Allows communication at 10Mbits/s can send data one direction at a time

If that does not work try a lower setting.

Also, try removing the gateway settings. gateways are links to external networks, you shouldnt need to configure unless you are sharing internet access.

PS: What happened to mendhak.com?

Edit:

This shouldn't affect communication but do the machines have the same workgroups? My Computer > Right Click, Select "Properties" > "Computer Name" Tab > Click the "Change" Button. Although, this should only affect network browsing.

[mendhak]

(WinXP on both machines)

Thanks for the instructions, I did go through them, they matched well with what I did. But a newer, more devious problem has come up.

After going through the steps, the laptop and pc were still able to occasionally see each other (broken ping).

NOW, when I try to ping the laptop from the desktop, I get a BSOD on the laptop! It'll crash out with

DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

and then it'll do a memory dump and reboot. This has started happening whenever I change the network media type or do something that might be related to the network adapter card. It's very very strange, this has not happened before. Does this have anything to do with the fact that the desktop is just 4 days old and may have... newer, incompatible hardware?

[dglienna]

Did you run the wizard? Do you have a cross-over cable, or a hub/router?
Are you hard-coding the IP address into both machines? If not, are you using Internet Connection Sharing? (It has it's own wizard)
Does one of them have an internet connection? Could one machine have two network devices? (my laptop has a wireless and wired adapter)
Do you have the same workgroup name for both machines? (that's all that is really needed to see each other, but you should still be able to ping anyone)
Do you have the Windows Firewall turned on? Lastly, are you sure the network cable is good?

[mendhak]

Did you run the wizard?

Yes, I ran the wizard. It created a bridge on the laptop. I ran it on the desktop computer too, it changed nothing significant though. Just the adapter had a 'lock' in its icon now.

Do you have a cross-over cable, or a hub/router?

Crossover cable. I'm pretty sure it's working good. I haven't tested it on other computers yet though.

Are you hard-coding the IP address into both machines? If not, are you using Internet Connection Sharing? (It has it's own wizard)

After I gave up on the network setup wizard, that is what I did. I hardcoded the IPs as such:

Desktop computer:
IP: 192.168.1.101
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.101

Laptop:
IP: 192.168.1.100
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.101

Does one of them have an internet connection? Could one machine have two network devices? (my laptop has a wireless and wired adapter)

This desktop has a dialup connection.

Do you have the same workgroup name for both machines? (that's all that is really needed to see each other, but you should still be able to ping anyone)

Do you have the Windows Firewall turned on?

Lastly, are you sure the network cable is good?

Same workgroup name, yes. Windows firewall turned off. All firewalls turned off. The laptop had ZoneAlarm, I've disabled it while I do this. This desktop has McAfee security center disabled, no firewall there. And the windows firewall is turned off everywhere.

Thing is, I've done this several times before. I've never come across this problem before. It therefore does raise the possibility of it being a bad network cable. Or incompatible adapters or something similar. It just doesn't sound plausible, that's all.

[mendhak]

Check that... the desktop PC now has DSL instead of DialUp.

[<ABX]

Update the Network Cards to the latest driver.

Do a search for your network card along w/ symptoms (eg. BSOD)

Can you swap out both/one of the network cards for another one? (even just temporarily for debugging)

Just last weekend i wasted 3h on a bad SMC 'EzCard' Network Card. it had similar symtops - Erratic connection speeds, slowing down the system.

Test the cable, although unless you made it yourself (i crimping the cables) or cut some of the wires - i highly doubt theres a problem with it.

If they were manufactured... they are usually tested before packaging.

[dglienna]

Are you sure the DSL is giving .101 ? That sounds like it has to be set up.
The DSL should be the gateway, I think, unless you have a router.

I would think that two machines are trying to use the same IP address.

I would run Internet Connection Sharing on the Desktop, and do things automatically on the laptop. That will assign 1.1 to the desktop (on the other card) and clients will be .2+.

[<ABX]

Oops... I missed the fact that your trying to share dsl

For the Builtin Windows Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) Software to work.

I'm Going to call the network card that is connected to the Laptop via the Crossover "Network", (you can rename a connection by Right Clicking On My Network Places (brining up the connection view) and Right Clicking on the Network Adapter and Selecting Rename.)

Renaming is not required but it might help make configuration a little more clear.

I'm goning to call the network card that is connected to the DSL Modem "DSL"

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Desktop Computer Configuation:

Configure the "Network" Adapter as Follows
IP Address: 192.168.0.1 (this is required if you want to use ICS)
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 (this is the default)
(leave gateway blank)

Configure the "DSL" Adapter as Follows
Normally it would be set to obtain automatically but follow your ISP's setup instructions. You must also run the New Connection Wizard. (all these steps should be described by your ISP)

Now Select the Connection Created the the New Connection Wizard.
Right Click, Select Properties

Under the Advanced Tab there should be a "Allow other network users to connect ...." check it.

You should also check "Establish a dial-up connection whenever a computer on my network attempts to access the Internet" if it suits you.

----------------------------

Laptop Computer Configuation:
IP Address: 192.168.0.2 (can be anything between 192.168.0.2-254)
SubNet Mask : 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.0.1

----------------------------

Hopefuly that should do it ... i did this last bit off the top of my head because i didnt have a setup i could use as a example.

[squirrelly1]

If you're getting a bad ping, you might want to try using another cable... I would suggest using a DSL/Router (you can get one from best buy) and setting it up to use DHCP as well as your two machines... for that matter.. you could go with a DSL/Wireless Router if you can find one

Drivers are pretty much all or nothing when it comes to pinging and getting those results... you would either have connectivity or no connectivity... period.

if you still want to go the connection sharing route...
Don't use crossover cables.. they're ****... instead, pay $30 for a switch and a few bucks on straight through patch cables unless you have the tools to make them yourself... that way you can connect more computers later on if you need too...

if you want the truth of the matter, the dsl/router is the best way to go... you can get one for around 100 if you look in the right places...

Later,
squirrelly1

[dglienna]

the b router that I paid $129 for a year or so ago is now only $59 (with rebate). I almost upgraded to a g router, but decided that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. i upgraded my dsl to 1mb, though. It seems to make a difference on the wireless network.

[mike2]

Did you try disabling any enabled firewall you have?

[Dave Sell]

All I'd like to do is to connect this PC and laptop together. I've gotten a crosswire cable, and here's the step-by-step list:

1. Get crossover cable, pay lots of money for it
2. Plug into LAN cards on PC and laptop
3. On desktop, set IP address to 192.168.1.101, subnet mask to 255.255.255.0, default gateway to 192.168.1.101
4. On laptop, set IP address to 192.168.1.100, subnet mask to 255.255.255.0, default gateway to 192.168.1.101

Should work, shouldn't it? They just can't see each other. I've tried accessing them as

\\192.168.1.100

and also tried pinging. They don't show up in the Network places either.

What am I missing?

Didnt read the whole thread, but i noticed something:
(3) should be:
3. 3. On desktop, set IP address to 192.168.1.101, subnet mask to 255.255.255.0, default gateway to 192.168.1.100

[dglienna]

Are you still having a problem? I thought this was resolved last week!