Connecting two computers with LAN cable?

[Gustaf Liljegren]

I got a wireless network with 2 computers at home (both running Windows
XP SP2). Unfortunately, one of them conforms to the old WIFI standard,
which means slow transfer rates of about 3 mbit/s. So I wish to connect
them with a LAN cable and transfer at 100 mbit/s instead. I thought it
would be easy... :-(

This how I do it: I connect the computers with a fitting cable. The
cable has this text written on it:

Delta 4PAIRS 24AWG CAT.5e UTP PATCH CABLE..<02/01>

Both LAN cards are enabled. File and Printer Sharing is on both
computers. As I connect the cable to the second computer, I expect the
green light on the card to light up, but it doesn't. When I look at
Local Area Connection in Network Connections, it has the status Network
cable unplugged. And when I run the Network Setup Wizard, Local Area
Connection is also listed in the list of disconnected hardware, and
cannot be used for any connections. Why is this so hard?

Gustaf

 

[Guest]

Ethernet network: what you'll need
For two computers:
• Network cards for each computer

• Crossover cable


Networking only two computers together? With Ethernet technology, a
two-computer network is the simplest of all to install. Each computer needs
an Ethernet network card inside, and then you can run a crossover cable
between them. That's it! It's not much different than plugging an appliance
into the wall.

The Windows XP Network Setup Wizard
The Network Setup Wizard automates some of the tasks involved in setting up
a home network. It's especially effective with Ethernet® networks, saving you
the trouble of configuring some of the other computers on the network. You'll
have to make sure all your hardware is connected properly and ready to go,
but much of the behind-the-scenes work is handled for you. The Network Setup
Wizard has been improved for Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2). Launch it by
opening Control Panel and clicking the icon.

 

[Mark Test]

Gustaf, dumb question here, but is your Local Area Connection
"active" or "disabled"?

Mark

 

[Timothy Daniels]

"Gustaf Liljegren" skrev:

I got a wireless network with 2 computers at home (both running Windows XP SP2). Unfortunately, one of them conforms to the old
WIFI standard, which means slow transfer rates of about 3 mbit/s. So I wish to connect them with a LAN cable and transfer at 100
mbit/s instead. I thought it would be easy... :-(

This how I do it: I connect the computers with a fitting cable. The cable has this text written on it:

Delta 4PAIRS 24AWG CAT.5e UTP PATCH CABLE..<02/01>

Hallå.

What you probably have there is a normal patch cable.
You need a "crossover" cable. They don't cost much
more than an ordinary patch cable, and you can buy them
at most retail computer stores or over the internet. You
could also make your own. Search Google for
"crossover ethernet cable" and you'll get tons of URLs.
Here is one:
http://www.makeitsimple.com/how-to/dyi_crossover.htm

There is more technology in cables than meets the eye,
though, and I would recommend just buying a crossover
cable. But if you make your own, I would recommend
using stranded (versus solid) wire Cat 5e cable for the
flexibility and frequent manipulation, and believe it or not,
there is a difference between RJ45 plugs meant for solid
wire and RJ45 plugs meant for stranded wire. Match the
correct plugs to the type of wire, and you'll have a more
reliable connection.

Hej då!

*TimDaniels*

 

[Gustaf Liljegren]

Thank you all for answers. I suppose I need another cable then.

I got another question about this setup. Since both computers have both
LAN and WLAN...how will Windows know what connection to use? Obviously,
when I do things on the Internet, both needs to use the WLAN, but when I
transfer files between them...? Do I have to disable the WLAN devices
then, or will Windows automatically give the LAN connection priority?

Thanks,

Gustaf

 

[Timothy Daniels]

"Gustaf Liljegren" har skrivit:

Thank you all for answers. I suppose I need another cable then.

I got another question about this setup. Since both computers
have both LAN and WLAN...how will Windows know what
connection to use? Obviously, when I do things on the Internet,
both needs to use the WLAN, but when I transfer files between
them...? Do I have to disable the WLAN devices then, or will
Windows automatically give the LAN connection priority?

Hej.

In such a case, one normally uses a router which connects
to each PC and to a network interface (i.e. "modem"). For
such use in which there is a real LAN, one would not use a
crossover cable since each PC would not be connected
directly to another PC. Here is a basic broadband router
that costs as low as $46 in the U.S. -
http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=34&scid=29&prid=561
Here are other routers by Linksys, some with firewalls, some
wireless -
http://www.linksys.com/products/group.asp?grid=34&scid=29

Ha det så bra.

*TimDaniels*