Small Home Network

[Guest]

I have spent the last two days trying to set up my 2 computers together so
they can share files and both connect to the net with little luck.

Im using (windows xp) fitted with a (VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adapter)
And (windows 98) fitted with a (Mercury 10/100mbps Fast Ethernet PCI
Card)
Both connected together with a RJ45 cable.

I have put the xp through it's set-up and used the floppy in the 98 computer
and reboot both computers but for some reason the xp keeps saying that the
cable is unplugged. The Adapter in the xp was already installed when i bought
the pc and the pci card in the 98 is working fine as i tested it on my
brothers comp. and it says that there set up correctly on each comp. How am i
to resolve this problem as im starting to feel twice my age.....Any help
would be greatful! But plz try and keep it simple (like me)

 

[Chuck]

I have spent the last two days trying to set up my 2 computers together so
they can share files and both connect to the net with little luck.

Im using (windows xp) fitted with a (VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adapter)
And (windows 98) fitted with a (Mercury 10/100mbps Fast Ethernet PCI
Card)
Both connected together with a RJ45 cable.

I have put the xp through it's set-up and used the floppy in the 98 computer
and reboot both computers but for some reason the xp keeps saying that the
cable is unplugged. The Adapter in the xp was already installed when i bought
the pc and the pci card in the 98 is working fine as i tested it on my
brothers comp. and it says that there set up correctly on each comp. How am i
to resolve this problem as im starting to feel twice my age.....Any help
would be greatful! But plz try and keep it simple (like me)

If you're connecting 2 computers directly, you probably should be using a
cross-over cable. A straight-thru (patch) cable won't work.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/connecting-two-computers-with.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/connecting-two-computers-with.html

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your quick reply chuck...
The cable (RJ-45) that i am using is an original cable that i went out and
payed a £5 for but im not getting no luck on getting these two comp's to
talk... Im just wondering if im better off going out and spening my hard
earned cash on a router or hub..not unless anyone has the answer for me.

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Actually, Chuck probably has already given you the answer - unless the cable
you bought is specifically labeled as being a crossover cable it simply
won't work. You can either buy a crossover cable, or buy a second normal
cable and a switch or hub or router, but you cannot make a normal cable
connect two computers directly.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

 

[Chuck]

Thanks for your quick reply chuck...
The cable (RJ-45) that i am using is an original cable that i went out and
payed a £5 for but im not getting no luck on getting these two comp's to
talk... Im just wondering if im better off going out and spening my hard
earned cash on a router or hub..not unless anyone has the answer for me.

Well, if the original cable that you went out and payed a £5 for is not labeled
"cross-over", then you are going to have to go out and pay another £5 for a
cross-over cable.

Now, if you intend to access the Internet from both computers, and your Internet
service will permit, it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to spend hard earned cash
on a router, and another cable like what you are apparently trying to use, a
straight-thru cable.

If you have more than 1 computer, a router is not a bad investment. A router
and 2 straight-thru cables will work also.

 

[Guest]

Ok thanks guys i got you!
Its strange how it works for my bro and not me...I guess its another myster
of science. But the help has been mostly appreciated!

 

[Chuck]

Ok thanks guys i got you!
Its strange how it works for my bro and not me...I guess its another myster
of science. But the help has been mostly appreciated!

Some computers (with newer NICs) have a feature called "Auto-MDIX", which senses
what type of cable is being used, and switches from straight-thru mode in the
NIC (to accommodate a straight-thru cable) to cross-over mode (to accommodate a
cross-over cable). Maybe your bro has one with that feature. When you say "the
computer says that the cable is unplugged", I doubt that yours has that.