direct cable connection via ethernet ports

[Guest]

I've been trying to make a direct cable connection with a "Cat 5 crossover
cable" for a few weeks now, and I guess I'm just helpless enough to write for
some more advice . . . I've followed the instructions provided in this forum
(including those offered in Microsoft KB81498x), but I always get stuck at
this step:

To Set Up the Host Computer
Click the connection device that you want to use for this connection (a
parallel or serial port, or an infrared port), and then click Next.

Obviously, there is no 'ethernet' option. So how are all those who are
making this type of connection work doing it?! I've tried choosing different
options (e.g., 'create a new connection', 'set up a home or small office
network', 'select a connection method: other', 'this computer belongs to a
network that does not have an internet connection', etc.), and while this
seems to provide communication (i.e., both ethernet connection lights flash,
a taskbar pop-up tells me that I'm connected, etc.), I am unable to share
data between the computers. Have I missed something basic? Both computers
have the same 'workgroup'; IP addresses, DNS allocations, and usernames seem
to be in order; but something is obviously amiss! Any help would be greatly
appreciated (even to indicate which connection device/port to choose, and/or
if I'm way off track in my 'create a new connection' pursuits). Thanks for
your help,
Paul

 

[Jetro]

You shouldn't follow the wizard "Set up an advanced connection". Your case
is plain Ethernet network.
What else do you have in this network? Hub/switch? Router? Cable/xDSL modem?
www.wown.com might help.

 

[Guest]

You're right! Thanks. I followed the other route ('create a new network
connection', 'home or small office', 'other', 'does not have an internet
connection', etc.) and then had to play with IP addresses and DNS settings.
It was the latter that proved to be the key. From another posting somewhere
(I've been to so many forums I forget where I found this!) I found this bit
of DNS magic:

Computer #1
- Go to Start \ Settings \ Control Panel \ Network connections \ Local Area
Connections
- Then open properties of TCP/Ip Protocol.
- Set Ip settings like:
Ip Address: 192.168.1.1
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Primary Dns: 192.168.1.1 --> Everything else is blank.
- Then close all windows.
- Now go to Windows Explorer and turn of "enable simple file sharing" at
"Tools \ Folder Options \ View"
- I hope you have set the password for administrator account which is
recommended to be the same on both computers.

Computer #2
- Go to Start \ Settings \ Control Panel \ Network connections \ Local Area
Connections
- Then open properties of TCP/Ip Protocol.
- Set Ip settings like:
Ip Address: 192.168.1.2
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Primary Dns: 192.168.1.1 --> Everything else is blank.
- Then close all windows.
- Now go to Windows Explorer and turn of "enable simple file sharing" at
"Tools \ Folder Options \ View"
- I hope you have set the password for administrator account which is
recommended to be the same on both computers.

I also changed some settings in the 'Local Security Policy' as per:

With XP Pro, and SFS disabled, check the Local Security Policy (Control
Panel -
Administrative Tools). Under Local Policies - Security Options, look at
"Network access: Sharing and security model", and ensure it's set to
"Classic -
local users authenticate as themselves".

I'm not sure which of these proved decisive, but my direct cable connection
with cat 5 cross over cable is working like a dream! Hope this helps someone
else,

Paul

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

You're right! Thanks. I followed the other route ('create a new network
connection', 'home or small office', 'other', 'does not have an internet
connection', etc.)

Paul,

that was the key. But practically everything else you did is
superfluous. The connection usually works immediately without
any settings whatsoever, except perhaps opening the File and
Printer Sharing exception in the Service Pack 2 firewall.

and then had to play with IP addresses and DNS settings.

No need to.

It was the latter that proved to be the key.

I don't believe.

From another posting somewhere
(I've been to so many forums I forget where I found this!) I found this bit
of DNS magic:

Computer #1
- Go to Start \ Settings \ Control Panel \ Network connections \ Local Area
Connections
- Then open properties of TCP/Ip Protocol.
- Set Ip settings like:
Ip Address: 192.168.1.1

Not needed. Leave on automatic.

Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

Also not needed.

Primary Dns: 192.168.1.1 --> Everything else is blank.

That's positively wrong. No DNS here at all.

- Then close all windows.
- Now go to Windows Explorer and turn of "enable simple file sharing" at
"Tools \ Folder Options \ View"

Not needed, can't hurt, but you did it later in the policies
again, so definitely not needed. It's not needed at all, because
you could just as well, and probably should, use simple file
sharing.

- I hope you have set the password for administrator account which is
recommended to be the same on both computers.

Computer #2
- Go to Start \ Settings \ Control Panel \ Network connections \ Local Area
Connections
- Then open properties of TCP/Ip Protocol.
- Set Ip settings like:
Ip Address: 192.168.1.2
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Primary Dns: 192.168.1.1 --> Everything else is blank.
- Then close all windows.
- Now go to Windows Explorer and turn of "enable simple file sharing" at
"Tools \ Folder Options \ View"
- I hope you have set the password for administrator account which is
recommended to be the same on both computers.

I also changed some settings in the 'Local Security Policy' as per:

With XP Pro, and SFS disabled, check the Local Security Policy (Control
Panel -
Administrative Tools). Under Local Policies - Security Options, look at
"Network access: Sharing and security model", and ensure it's set to
"Classic -
local users authenticate as themselves".

Same thing, everything superfluous. Had you tried your
connection right after the first step, you would have noticed
that it already works.

I'm not sure which of these proved decisive, but my direct cable connection
with cat 5 cross over cable is working like a dream! Hope this helps someone
else,

Only the very first point was the key to success.

A lot of bad advice is floating around in the Internet,
unfortunately. In this case perhaps the advice wasn't so bad,
but it didn't fit your situation.

Finally something positive from me. The next thing you can do,
if you like, is connect both computers to the Internet. For a
first test you can just connect one and enable Internet
Connection Sharing (ICS) in this computer. Then the other
computer can simultaneously use the Internet connection.

If you find that you need it frequently, the better way is to
get a broadband connection (ADSL, cable) and a router. Simple
routers ar inexpensive these days, but are still sufficient for
light Internet use like web browsing, downloading the occasional
file, and email.

Hans-Georg

 

[Guest]

Hi Hans,

Thanks for your tips. I am not sure however what was the deciding change for
Paul. I too have been pulling my hair out for the last three days tring to
do a crossover connection between a Dell Inspiron Laptop running XP and a
Compaq Presario running Me. I have used this same crossover approach and
cable to connect the Presario to a desktop running 98. Could you please give
me a Procedure. My Dell has no parallel or serial port only USBs.

Thanks a million

ESteveC

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

Thanks for your tips. I am not sure however what was the deciding change for
Paul. I too have been pulling my hair out for the last three days tring to
do a crossover connection between a Dell Inspiron Laptop running XP and a
Compaq Presario running Me. I have used this same crossover approach and
cable to connect the Presario to a desktop running 98. Could you please give
me a Procedure. My Dell has no parallel or serial port only USBs.

ESteveC,

are you talking about an Ethernet connection or about an USB
connection? I don't know much about USB connections, so I'll
assume the former.

Connect the two computers.

Check whether both show a connection.

Disable the firewalls for now. As long as you aren't connecting
to the Internet, they are less troublesome if they are off.

Leave all settings to automatic, no IP address, no other
numbers.

The rest depends on what version of Windows XP you're running,
but shouldn't be difficult. One computer should see the shares
of the other.

Note, however, that some Ethernet adapters cannot handle
crossover cables and may show no connection. If you suspect
that, buy a switch. They're cheap. I use these tiny palm-sized 5
port switches with good success. Then, however, you need two
normal patch cables, rather than one crossover, or you can use
one patch cable and plug your crossover cable into the uplink
port.

Hans-Georg