Failing miserably to network 2 PCs

I have PC number 1 running W98SE (which connects very happily to the
internet via a Realtek RTL8139 NIC). It has a second onboard Realtek
RTL8169. I am attempting to use this to connect to a second PC (running XP
but never been near the internet) via a CAT5 crossover cable to the second
PCs Realtek RTL 8139 NIC.

I have tried using the XP Network wizard to connect the two PCs. It runs
and tells me it is done and everything is set up but neither PC sees the
other. The only indication I do get is that the XP PC will pop up a message
saying the LAN cable is unplugged if I turn off or re-boot the W98 PC.

I have tried to set up an IP address on the XP machine and ping it from the
W98 PC but this invariably times out.

Both PCs show no problems with any of the network cards under the Device
Manager.

What have I missed? Or should I give up and go back to slow but (fairly)
reliable Direct Cable Connection?

Zippy

Try installing ICS on the win98SE computer with the internet connection

--
Jon Hildrum
DTS MVP
(E-Mail Removed)
www.hildrum.com
"Zippy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have PC number 1 running W98SE (which connects very happily to the
> internet via a Realtek RTL8139 NIC). It has a second onboard Realtek
> RTL8169. I am attempting to use this to connect to a second PC (running
XP
> but never been near the internet) via a CAT5 crossover cable to the second
> PCs Realtek RTL 8139 NIC.
>
> I have tried using the XP Network wizard to connect the two PCs. It runs
> and tells me it is done and everything is set up but neither PC sees the
> other. The only indication I do get is that the XP PC will pop up a
message
> saying the LAN cable is unplugged if I turn off or re-boot the W98 PC.
>
> I have tried to set up an IP address on the XP machine and ping it from
the
> W98 PC but this invariably times out.
>
> Both PCs show no problems with any of the network cards under the Device
> Manager.
>
> What have I missed? Or should I give up and go back to slow but
(fairly)
> reliable Direct Cable Connection?
>
> Zippy
>
>
>

OK. Done that. .Only difference in symptoms appears to be that when I try
to ping from the XP PC to the W98 PC the message is now "Destination host
unreachable".

I have confirmed that both Workgroup names are the same if that is any help.
I have also disabled the Firewall on the W98 PC when trying all this. There
is no Firewall on the XP PC as it has never been connected to the outside
world.

Zippy

"Jon_Hildrum" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Try installing ICS on the win98SE computer with the internet connection
>
> --
> Jon Hildrum
> DTS MVP
> (E-Mail Removed)
> www.hildrum.com
> "Zippy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> > I have PC number 1 running W98SE (which connects very happily to the
> > internet via a Realtek RTL8139 NIC). It has a second onboard Realtek
> > RTL8169. I am attempting to use this to connect to a second PC (running
> XP
> > but never been near the internet) via a CAT5 crossover cable to the
second
> > PCs Realtek RTL 8139 NIC.
> >
> > I have tried using the XP Network wizard to connect the two PCs. It
runs
> > and tells me it is done and everything is set up but neither PC sees the
> > other. The only indication I do get is that the XP PC will pop up a
> message
> > saying the LAN cable is unplugged if I turn off or re-boot the W98 PC.
> >
> > I have tried to set up an IP address on the XP machine and ping it from
> the
> > W98 PC but this invariably times out.
> >
> > Both PCs show no problems with any of the network cards under the Device
> > Manager.
> >
> > What have I missed? Or should I give up and go back to slow but
> (fairly)
> > reliable Direct Cable Connection?
> >
> > Zippy
> >
> >
> >
>
>

"Zippy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
>I have PC number 1 running W98SE (which connects very happily to the
> internet via a Realtek RTL8139 NIC). It has a second onboard Realtek
> RTL8169. I am attempting to use this to connect to a second PC (running
> XP
> but never been near the internet) via a CAT5 crossover cable to the second
> PCs Realtek RTL 8139 NIC.
>
> I have tried using the XP Network wizard to connect the two PCs. It runs
> and tells me it is done and everything is set up but neither PC sees the
> other. The only indication I do get is that the XP PC will pop up a
> message
> saying the LAN cable is unplugged if I turn off or re-boot the W98 PC.
>
> I have tried to set up an IP address on the XP machine and ping it from
> the
> W98 PC but this invariably times out.
>
> Both PCs show no problems with any of the network cards under the Device
> Manager.
>
> What have I missed? Or should I give up and go back to slow but
> (fairly)
> reliable Direct Cable Connection?
>
> Zippy
>
>

For the NICs connected by the crossover cable make sure that you specify the
media speed - I'd suggest setting them both to 10 Mbps, Half duplex at
first. Default is normally 'Autosense' which tends not to work very well
with crossover cables.

HTH
Stace.

Thanks for that Stace. Tried it but still no joy :-(

Is there anything else I should set manually rather than allow the machine
to decide?

Zippy


"Stace" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Zippy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> >I have PC number 1 running W98SE (which connects very happily to the
> > internet via a Realtek RTL8139 NIC). It has a second onboard Realtek
> > RTL8169. I am attempting to use this to connect to a second PC (running
> > XP
> > but never been near the internet) via a CAT5 crossover cable to the
second
> > PCs Realtek RTL 8139 NIC.
> >
> > I have tried using the XP Network wizard to connect the two PCs. It
runs
> > and tells me it is done and everything is set up but neither PC sees the
> > other. The only indication I do get is that the XP PC will pop up a
> > message
> > saying the LAN cable is unplugged if I turn off or re-boot the W98 PC.
> >
> > I have tried to set up an IP address on the XP machine and ping it from
> > the
> > W98 PC but this invariably times out.
> >
> > Both PCs show no problems with any of the network cards under the Device
> > Manager.
> >
> > What have I missed? Or should I give up and go back to slow but
> > (fairly)
> > reliable Direct Cable Connection?
> >
> > Zippy
> >
> >
>
> For the NICs connected by the crossover cable make sure that you specify
the
> media speed - I'd suggest setting them both to 10 Mbps, Half duplex at
> first. Default is normally 'Autosense' which tends not to work very well
> with crossover cables.
>
> HTH
> Stace.
>
>

"Zippy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thanks for that Stace. Tried it but still no joy :-(
>
> Is there anything else I should set manually rather than allow the machine
> to decide?
>
> Zippy
>
>
> "Stace" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> "Zippy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
>> >I have PC number 1 running W98SE (which connects very happily to the
>> > internet via a Realtek RTL8139 NIC). It has a second onboard Realtek
>> > RTL8169. I am attempting to use this to connect to a second PC
>> > (running
>> > XP
>> > but never been near the internet) via a CAT5 crossover cable to the
> second
>> > PCs Realtek RTL 8139 NIC.
>> >
>> > I have tried using the XP Network wizard to connect the two PCs. It
> runs
>> > and tells me it is done and everything is set up but neither PC sees
>> > the
>> > other. The only indication I do get is that the XP PC will pop up a
>> > message
>> > saying the LAN cable is unplugged if I turn off or re-boot the W98 PC.
>> >
>> > I have tried to set up an IP address on the XP machine and ping it from
>> > the
>> > W98 PC but this invariably times out.
>> >
>> > Both PCs show no problems with any of the network cards under the
>> > Device
>> > Manager.
>> >
>> > What have I missed? Or should I give up and go back to slow but
>> > (fairly)
>> > reliable Direct Cable Connection?
>> >
>> > Zippy
>> >
>> >
>>
>> For the NICs connected by the crossover cable make sure that you specify
> the
>> media speed - I'd suggest setting them both to 10 Mbps, Half duplex at
>> first. Default is normally 'Autosense' which tends not to work very well
>> with crossover cables.
>>
>> HTH
>> Stace.
>>
you sure the cable is good ? I had 1 broken wire and it acted just like
that....

"Haggis" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Zippy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Thanks for that Stace. Tried it but still no joy :-(
> >
> > Is there anything else I should set manually rather than allow the
machine
> > to decide?
> >
<snip>

Make sure both machines have unique names, belong to the same workgroup, are
using TCP/IP and have unique IP addresses that belong to the same subnet
(e.g. PC#1-IP=192.168.0.1, PC#2-IP=192.168.0.2, subnet mask for both =
255.255.255.0).

Loads of helpful info at www.wown.com

Stace.

"Stace" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Haggis" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>
>> "Zippy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> > Thanks for that Stace. Tried it but still no joy :-(
>> >
>> > Is there anything else I should set manually rather than allow the
> machine
>> > to decide?
>> >
> <snip>
>
> Make sure both machines have unique names, belong to the same workgroup,
> are
> using TCP/IP and have unique IP addresses that belong to the same subnet
> (e.g. PC#1-IP=192.168.0.1, PC#2-IP=192.168.0.2, subnet mask for both =
> 255.255.255.0).
>
> Loads of helpful info at www.wown.com
>
> Stace.
>
>
and here :>
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/

Thanks to both of you. I'll have a look over the weekend at both sites. As
for the crossover cable - I certainly hope it is ok as it is brand new ;-)

I'll let you know how I get on.

Zippy


"Haggis" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Stace" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > "Haggis" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> >>
> >> "Zippy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> > Thanks for that Stace. Tried it but still no joy :-(
> >> >
> >> > Is there anything else I should set manually rather than allow the
> > machine
> >> > to decide?
> >> >
> > <snip>
> >
> > Make sure both machines have unique names, belong to the same workgroup,
> > are
> > using TCP/IP and have unique IP addresses that belong to the same subnet
> > (e.g. PC#1-IP=192.168.0.1, PC#2-IP=192.168.0.2, subnet mask for both =
> > 255.255.255.0).
> >
> > Loads of helpful info at www.wown.com
> >
> > Stace.
> >
> >
> and here :>
> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/
>
>

"Zippy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thanks to both of you. I'll have a look over the weekend at both sites.
> As
> for the crossover cable - I certainly hope it is ok as it is brand new ;-)
>
> I'll let you know how I get on.
>
> Zippy
>
>
> "Haggis" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>
>> "Stace" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> > "Haggis" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> > news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> >>
>> >> "Zippy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> >> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> >> > Thanks for that Stace. Tried it but still no joy :-(
>> >> >
>> >> > Is there anything else I should set manually rather than allow the
>> > machine
>> >> > to decide?
>> >> >
>> > <snip>
>> >
>> > Make sure both machines have unique names, belong to the same
>> > workgroup,
>> > are
>> > using TCP/IP and have unique IP addresses that belong to the same
>> > subnet
>> > (e.g. PC#1-IP=192.168.0.1, PC#2-IP=192.168.0.2, subnet mask for both =
>> > 255.255.255.0).
>> >
>> > Loads of helpful info at www.wown.com
>> >
>> > Stace.
>> >
>> >
>> and here :>
>> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/
>>
>>
>
>
and just something to think on....a router would make your life so much
easier :>