A Win XP nit-nit-nit-net-working question...(AKA crossover)

[Full Name (optional)]

Hello,

I'm new to this group. I hope I can borrow a moment of some Windows
networking expertise, if someone can spare the time.

I'm trying to use my main desktop as a permanant 'Net connected PC
using USB to the cable modem. I've had no 'Net connect trouble with
either NIC or USB to the 'Net. I want to hook my laptop up to my
desktop to share access to the 'Net using the NICs. I understand I
must get my two PCs to communicate before I can attempt to share my
desktop's 'Net connection. Before I updated to XP, I used NetBUI with
NT4/Win2000, and WinGate for sharing. THis was quite simple to set up
a peer-to-peer network.

Years ago I remember trying to use IP to network my home PCs, but it
gave me fits. I stayed with NetBUI. Today, I've searched all over the
'Net for help, and found thousands of pages to network XP PCs! It
seems simple enough, almost automatic using XP's wizards. But I can't
get the PCs to communicate. It's giving me fits...

Here's the config of my two PCs: Both are running XP-SP2/Pro. Both
have onboard RealTek RTL8139/810 NIC interfaces set at 100-half
duplex(tried all the other settings, including auto). I converted a
standard UTP5/568A/RJ-45 to a crossover cable by switching green with
orange, and switching green-white with orange white. I tested the
cable before I "butchered" it. It's good, it worked fine when I used
it to connect either PC to my cable modem. Also, the new splices to
achieve the crossover are firm, tight, and well wrapped.

Observations: the network status panels on each PC say packets have
been transmitted, but 0 received. I had ZoneAlarm on each PC, which
was giving me warnings of an intruder. THerefore, I took it off both
machines.

Got any suggestions? I have a feeling a hub would help a lot, but I
can't understand whay it may be needed. THere's a lot of info saying
it's simple to make and use a crossover cable to hook two PCs
together.

Any ideas?

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

In

Hello,

I'm new to this group. I hope I can borrow a moment of some Windows
networking expertise, if someone can spare the time.

I'm trying to use my main desktop as a permanant 'Net connected PC
using USB to the cable modem. I've had no 'Net connect trouble with
either NIC or USB to the 'Net. I want to hook my laptop up to my
desktop to share access to the 'Net using the NICs. I understand I
must get my two PCs to communicate before I can attempt to share my
desktop's 'Net connection. Before I updated to XP, I used NetBUI with
NT4/Win2000, and WinGate for sharing. THis was quite simple to set up
a peer-to-peer network.

Years ago I remember trying to use IP to network my home PCs, but it
gave me fits. I stayed with NetBUI. Today, I've searched all over the
'Net for help, and found thousands of pages to network XP PCs! It
seems simple enough, almost automatic using XP's wizards. But I can't
get the PCs to communicate. It's giving me fits...

Here's the config of my two PCs: Both are running XP-SP2/Pro. Both
have onboard RealTek RTL8139/810 NIC interfaces set at 100-half
duplex(tried all the other settings, including auto). I converted a
standard UTP5/568A/RJ-45 to a crossover cable by switching green with
orange, and switching green-white with orange white. I tested the
cable before I "butchered" it. It's good, it worked fine when I used
it to connect either PC to my cable modem. Also, the new splices to
achieve the crossover are firm, tight, and well wrapped.

Observations: the network status panels on each PC say packets have
been transmitted, but 0 received. I had ZoneAlarm on each PC, which
was giving me warnings of an intruder. THerefore, I took it off both
machines.

Got any suggestions? I have a feeling a hub would help a lot, but I
can't understand whay it may be needed. THere's a lot of info saying
it's simple to make and use a crossover cable to hook two PCs
together.

Any ideas?

Do yourself a favor. Get a small hardware appliance (a combo
firewall/gateway/router) for about $80 and use that to share your
connection. No USB, no crossovers, no dual NICs - just plain Ethernet cables
plugged into the included switch. The box will do DHCP and NAT for you.
Avoid NetBEUI - you absolutely do NOT need it.

 

[Full Name (optional)]

In

Do yourself a favor. Get a small hardware appliance (a combo
firewall/gateway/router) for about $80 and use that to share your
connection. No USB, no crossovers, no dual NICs - just plain Ethernet cables
plugged into the included switch. The box will do DHCP and NAT for you.
Avoid NetBEUI - you absolutely do NOT need it.

Thank you for the suggestion.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

As answered in another newsgroup, you can get your cable altered easily
enough at most computer repair shops..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User