Vista/W2000 Ethernet Connection?

[CWLee]

First, some background, and then three questions.

I have Vista Ultimate 64-bit on a new computer, and Windows
2000/pro on a much older (8 years?) computer. I have no
difficulty transferring files from one to the other using
flash memory units. Both systems are running fine.

I was told, by a not always reliable person, that I can
simply plug either a regular ethernet cable, or a crossover
ethernet cable, into each computer and each will immediately
recognize the other, and each will show up on the other's
Window Explorer windows. Then, I'm told, I could drag and
drop files from one computer to the other with a click of a
mouse on either computer.

So, I tried it. Purchased a new crossover ethernet cable,
plugged it in, and no visible response. No sparks, no
smoke - nothing. Directory trees did not change on either
computer's screen. The person who told me this would work
doesn't "have time to check into it right now."

My questions:

1. Is it likely that I caused any damage to either
computer? Both continue to work as well as they ever did,
so I don't think so.

2. Is it possible to connect the two computers together,
via such an ethernet cable, and have them behave as I had
been told?

3. If the answer to question 2 is yes, what else must I do
besides plug in the cable?

Many thanks.

--

 

[Mr. Arnold]

My questions:

1. Is it likely that I caused any damage to either computer? Both
continue to work as well as they ever did, so I don't think so.

You can't short-out a computer using a crossover or null cable.

2. Is it possible to connect the two computers together, via such an
ethernet cable, and have them behave as I had been told?

Yes, you can have two computers connected to each other using a crossover or
null cable.

3. If the answer to question 2 is yes, what else must I do besides plug
in the cable?

<http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/da25b51f-8c3d-e025-74aa-1fa3f29f6cdd1033.mspx>

 

[CWLee]

Yes, you can have two computers connected to each other
using a crossover or null cable.


<http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/da25b51f-8c3d-e025-74aa-1fa3f29f6cdd1033.mspx>

Thanks for all the answers, and for the link. I followed
the instructions in the link, and at first nothing happened.
Since there was a note there that, if Windows XP is involved
"... it can take some time ... " for the computer to appear.
Since I'm using both Vista on one machine, and Windows
2000/pro on the other one, I thought a similar, or longer,
delay might be involved. After 3-5 minutes I heard a small
mechanical click (couldn't tell from which computer) and
then the older machine, which has not been on-line for a few
days, notified me that Norton AV updates were available for
download. That told me it was now on-line, via the Vista
machine. The updates were downloaded, and I then opened
Internet Explorer, and verified that I could visit websites
on that computer. (Note that I'm using dial-up on an
ordinary phone line, and heretofore I've had to switch the
phone line between the two computers - with an A/B switch
box - and only one computer could be on-line at the same
time.)

But, there is no indication on any screen I have found on
either computer that points to the other computer, or that
displays files on the other computer.

Do you have any further suggestions so that I might use
either computer to view, copy, modify, etc. files on the
other computer.

Again, many thanks for your assistance.

 

[andy]

Thanks for all the answers, and for the link. I followed
the instructions in the link, and at first nothing happened.
Since there was a note there that, if Windows XP is involved
"... it can take some time ... " for the computer to appear.
Since I'm using both Vista on one machine, and Windows
2000/pro on the other one, I thought a similar, or longer,
delay might be involved. After 3-5 minutes I heard a small
mechanical click (couldn't tell from which computer) and
then the older machine, which has not been on-line for a few
days, notified me that Norton AV updates were available for
download. That told me it was now on-line, via the Vista
machine. The updates were downloaded, and I then opened
Internet Explorer, and verified that I could visit websites
on that computer. (Note that I'm using dial-up on an
ordinary phone line, and heretofore I've had to switch the
phone line between the two computers - with an A/B switch
box - and only one computer could be on-line at the same
time.)

But, there is no indication on any screen I have found on
either computer that points to the other computer, or that
displays files on the other computer.

Do you have any further suggestions so that I might use
either computer to view, copy, modify, etc. files on the
other computer.

On the Vista computer, right click on Computer and select Map Network
Drive...
In the Folder box, type \\computer_name_of_Windows_2000_computer\C$
Finish.

 

[CWLee]

On the Vista computer, right click on Computer and select
Map Network
Drive...
In the Folder box, type
\\computer_name_of_Windows_2000_computer\C$
Finish.

Thanks. I did that and I can now see the directory tree of
the C drive of the W2000 computer on the Vista computer. My
W2000 computer also has a D drive, but it does not show up
on the Vista computer. Should your suggestion above be
modified somehow to enable BOTH the C and D drives?

Regardless of your answer to that question, what suggestions
do you have to enable the W2000 computer to see the
directory tree of the Vista computer (which also has both C
and D drives)?

Thank you. I really appreciate your assistance.

 

[andy]

Thanks. I did that and I can now see the directory tree of
the C drive of the W2000 computer on the Vista computer. My
W2000 computer also has a D drive, but it does not show up
on the Vista computer. Should your suggestion above be
modified somehow to enable BOTH the C and D drives?

You have to map each drive one at a time, so change C$ to D$.

Regardless of your answer to that question, what suggestions
do you have to enable the W2000 computer to see the
directory tree of the Vista computer (which also has both C
and D drives)?

To be able to map Vista drives, you have to enable the Vista drives
for sharing. I believe that's done by right clicking on the Vista
drive and selecting properties. There should be a tab that allows you
to enable sharing.

 

[CWLee]

You have to map each drive one at a time, so change C$ to
D$.
(and)

To be able to map Vista drives, you have to enable the
Vista drives
for sharing. I believe that's done by right clicking on
the Vista
drive and selecting properties. There should be a tab that
allows you
to enable sharing.

Thanks, Andy. I did that, and things worked the way you
expected, except that there is an additional step you left
out that is now causing me a problem. Login and password.

When I was first following your directions to enable the
Vista computer to see the drives on the W2000 computer there
was an intermediate screen that asked for login and
password. I gave the login I use on both computers, and the
most common password I use. Moved forward smoothly and
enabled the Vista computer to see both the C and D drives on
the W2000 computer.

Then I asked you about enabling the W2000 computer to see
the Vista computer drives, and I again followed all the
steps. When the W2000 computer asks for the login and
password I'm unable to enter a combination that works. I
have used my regular login, and my administrator login, and
the 5 passwords that I have used on these two computers - in
all combinations and no combination works.

You have done a good job in getting me where I am, and I
really appreciate that. I also realize that password
protection/cracking is a completely different area of
expertise. Thanks so much for what you have enabled me to
do thus far, and if you have any pointers to solving the
password problem (such as, which newsgroup might be
appropriate) please send them along.

Thanks again.

 

[Andy]

Thanks, Andy. I did that, and things worked the way you
expected, except that there is an additional step you left
out that is now causing me a problem. Login and password.

When I was first following your directions to enable the
Vista computer to see the drives on the W2000 computer there
was an intermediate screen that asked for login and
password. I gave the login I use on both computers, and the
most common password I use. Moved forward smoothly and
enabled the Vista computer to see both the C and D drives on
the W2000 computer.

Then I asked you about enabling the W2000 computer to see
the Vista computer drives, and I again followed all the
steps. When the W2000 computer asks for the login and
password I'm unable to enter a combination that works. I
have used my regular login, and my administrator login, and
the 5 passwords that I have used on these two computers - in
all combinations and no combination works.

Are you specifying the correct Vista share name? It normally defaults
to just the drive letter, so it would be C instead of C$.

 

[CWLee]

Are you specifying the correct Vista share name? It
normally defaults
to just the drive letter, so it would be C instead of C$.

Damn you're good!

That did it! I had been typing \\computername\C$, and now
when I left the $ off it worked the way I wanted. If you
are in the Los Angeles area I'd like to buy you a beer or
two.

There are two items I'm just curious about, and I'm not
going to lose any sleep over them. If you can shed any
light on them I'd appreciate it.

1. The icons on the Vista computer that appear next to the
listing of the drives on the W2000 computer recently
acquired red X marks, which suggests that there is no
connection - but in fact there is. I don't know why the red
Xs are there, or how to get rid of them.

2. When I first hooked up the ethernet cable and properly
used the network discovery and file sharing, the W2000
computer went on-line via the Vista computer which was
on-line via a dial-up connection. Later, since I have
enabled (thanks again for your assistance) each computer to
see the drives on the other computer, the W2000 computer is
no longer on-line. I wonder why the ethernet cable served
both computers at first as a connection to the Internet, but
now does not carry that signal for the W2000 computer.

Have a good weekend, and let me know when and where I can
buy you a beer.

Thanks again.

==============================

 

[andy]

Damn you're good!

That did it! I had been typing \\computername\C$, and now
when I left the $ off it worked the way I wanted. If you
are in the Los Angeles area I'd like to buy you a beer or
two.

There are two items I'm just curious about, and I'm not
going to lose any sleep over them. If you can shed any
light on them I'd appreciate it.

1. The icons on the Vista computer that appear next to the
listing of the drives on the W2000 computer recently
acquired red X marks, which suggests that there is no
connection - but in fact there is. I don't know why the red
Xs are there, or how to get rid of them.

I do see them, they appear after the mapped drives haven't been used
for a while, but they don't bother me.

2. When I first hooked up the ethernet cable and properly
used the network discovery and file sharing, the W2000
computer went on-line via the Vista computer which was
on-line via a dial-up connection. Later, since I have
enabled (thanks again for your assistance) each computer to
see the drives on the other computer, the W2000 computer is
no longer on-line. I wonder why the ethernet cable served
both computers at first as a connection to the Internet, but
now does not carry that signal for the W2000 computer.

I assume you're using ICS. I don't know why mapping drives should
cause the internet connection to fail. What I would try is to disable
ICS in the dial-up connection properties. Then enable it again.

 

[CWLee]

I assume you're using ICS. I don't know why mapping drives should
cause the internet connection to fail. What I would try is
to disable
ICS in the dial-up connection properties. Then enable it
again.

ICS? You overestimate my knowledge. I will go looking for
something by that name amongst the screens associated with
dial-up connections.

Many thanks, again.