Newbie XP/ME network

Hi,
Having torn out all my hair in desparation I hope someone can help.
Setup as follows:
1 Win XP machine, 1 WinME machine
Both have working NICs connected with a crossover cable.
WinXP has a 'VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adaptor'.
WinME has a 'Realtek RTL8139(A) PCI Fast Ethernet Adaptor'
Win XP machine has ADSL broadband Internet connection (working) via a Zyxel
Prestige 630 USB modem.
Question 1: Is it possible to network the two machines without a hub/router?
All I've read says it's easy but in practice but I can't get them to 'see'
each other at all. Tried all the wizards and methods I can find. I've even
removed all traces of network protocols etc from each and started afresh.
Still no luck. WinXP machine has a little connection icon down in the
Notification area which states (if hovered over): 'Local Area Connection.
Speed: 100 Mbps. Status connected.' WinME machine doesn't have this. Help!

Question 2: If there's a resolution to Question 1, would it be possible to
share the Net connection between both machines?

make sure both have the same workgroup name then follow the ics wizard on xp
help
temp disable all firewalls first then put 98 IP in trusted zone
mike

"Harry" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:cksb7q$qmh$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
> Having torn out all my hair in desparation I hope someone can help.
> Setup as follows:
> 1 Win XP machine, 1 WinME machine
> Both have working NICs connected with a crossover cable.
> WinXP has a 'VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adaptor'.
> WinME has a 'Realtek RTL8139(A) PCI Fast Ethernet Adaptor'
> Win XP machine has ADSL broadband Internet connection (working) via a
Zyxel
> Prestige 630 USB modem.
> Question 1: Is it possible to network the two machines without a
hub/router?
> All I've read says it's easy but in practice but I can't get them to 'see'
> each other at all. Tried all the wizards and methods I can find. I've even
> removed all traces of network protocols etc from each and started afresh.
> Still no luck. WinXP machine has a little connection icon down in the
> Notification area which states (if hovered over): 'Local Area Connection.
> Speed: 100 Mbps. Status connected.' WinME machine doesn't have this. Help!
>
> Question 2: If there's a resolution to Question 1, would it be possible to
> share the Net connection between both machines?
>
>


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Thanks for your suggestions Mike but it's made no difference!
Been off line for the last couple of hours cos all this messing around took
out my broadband connection and it's been a nightmare getting it back up.
However, as I say, with the networking, nothing has changed!
Both have had the same workgroup name all along.
I've run the XP ICS Wizard on both machines so many times without any
success.
....put 98 IP in trusted zone... ? What is that & where do I get it?
I'll try again tomorrow. Six hours is far too long to be attempting to do
something
that's supposedly easy!


"Harry" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:cksb7q$qmh$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
> Having torn out all my hair in desparation I hope someone can help.
> Setup as follows:
> 1 Win XP machine, 1 WinME machine
> Both have working NICs connected with a crossover cable.
> WinXP has a 'VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adaptor'.
> WinME has a 'Realtek RTL8139(A) PCI Fast Ethernet Adaptor'
> Win XP machine has ADSL broadband Internet connection (working) via a
> Zyxel Prestige 630 USB modem.
> Question 1: Is it possible to network the two machines without a
> hub/router? All I've read says it's easy but in practice but I can't get
> them to 'see' each other at all. Tried all the wizards and methods I can
> find. I've even removed all traces of network protocols etc from each and
> started afresh. Still no luck. WinXP machine has a little connection icon
> down in the Notification area which states (if hovered over): 'Local Area
> Connection. Speed: 100 Mbps. Status connected.' WinME machine doesn't have
> this. Help!
>
> Question 2: If there's a resolution to Question 1, would it be possible to
> share the Net connection between both machines?
>

firewall cofiguration

mike



"Harry" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:cktm5j$pke$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thanks for your suggestions Mike but it's made no difference!
> Been off line for the last couple of hours cos all this messing around
took
> out my broadband connection and it's been a nightmare getting it back up.
> However, as I say, with the networking, nothing has changed!
> Both have had the same workgroup name all along.
> I've run the XP ICS Wizard on both machines so many times without any
> success.
> ...put 98 IP in trusted zone... ? What is that & where do I get it?
> I'll try again tomorrow. Six hours is far too long to be attempting to do
> something
> that's supposedly easy!
>
>
> "Harry" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:cksb7q$qmh$(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Hi,
> > Having torn out all my hair in desparation I hope someone can help.
> > Setup as follows:
> > 1 Win XP machine, 1 WinME machine
> > Both have working NICs connected with a crossover cable.
> > WinXP has a 'VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adaptor'.
> > WinME has a 'Realtek RTL8139(A) PCI Fast Ethernet Adaptor'
> > Win XP machine has ADSL broadband Internet connection (working) via a
> > Zyxel Prestige 630 USB modem.
> > Question 1: Is it possible to network the two machines without a
> > hub/router? All I've read says it's easy but in practice but I can't get
> > them to 'see' each other at all. Tried all the wizards and methods I can
> > find. I've even removed all traces of network protocols etc from each
and
> > started afresh. Still no luck. WinXP machine has a little connection
icon
> > down in the Notification area which states (if hovered over): 'Local
Area
> > Connection. Speed: 100 Mbps. Status connected.' WinME machine doesn't
have
> > this. Help!
> >
> > Question 2: If there's a resolution to Question 1, would it be possible
to
> > share the Net connection between both machines?
> >
>
>


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.778 / Virus Database: 525 - Release Date: 15/10/2004

I believe the trusted zones that Mike mentioned are to do with firewalls.
You could try disabling the firewall alltogether until you get the network
going. I would disconnect from the internetnet when your firewall is
disabled.

If that doesn't work then you could try and kill two birds with one stone.
If you set up internet connection sharing on the XP machine then if I
understand correctly it should act as a DHCP server too. Follow
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u..._02july01.mspx
for detailed instructions.

Then goto the network properties on the ME machine - I would only install
the TCP/IP protocol at this point and set it to obtain an IP address and DNS
server address automatically. You've already set the Workgroup name to be
the same on both machines and so, after rebooting if required, the network
should be up and running.

You can test it by opening a command prompt window and typing ipconfig. The
XP machine should be 192.168.0.1 and the ME should be 192.168.0.xxx where is
xxx is between 2 and 254 and the default gateway 192.168.0.1

If for some reason it isn't then you've got problems! Unfortunately fault
finding with only 2 computers is more difficult. Start with the easiest -
beg steal or borrow another cable and net card. Can u test the cables and
cards on a freinds set up? Uninstall the network protocols and clients and
reinstall them. Uninstall the net cards and reinstall them.

good luck!!


"Harry" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:cktm5j$pke$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thanks for your suggestions Mike but it's made no difference!
> Been off line for the last couple of hours cos all this messing around
> took
> out my broadband connection and it's been a nightmare getting it back up.
> However, as I say, with the networking, nothing has changed!
> Both have had the same workgroup name all along.
> I've run the XP ICS Wizard on both machines so many times without any
> success.
> ...put 98 IP in trusted zone... ? What is that & where do I get it?
> I'll try again tomorrow. Six hours is far too long to be attempting to do
> something
> that's supposedly easy!
>
>
> "Harry" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:cksb7q$qmh$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Hi,
>> Having torn out all my hair in desparation I hope someone can help.
>> Setup as follows:
>> 1 Win XP machine, 1 WinME machine
>> Both have working NICs connected with a crossover cable.
>> WinXP has a 'VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adaptor'.
>> WinME has a 'Realtek RTL8139(A) PCI Fast Ethernet Adaptor'
>> Win XP machine has ADSL broadband Internet connection (working) via a
>> Zyxel Prestige 630 USB modem.
>> Question 1: Is it possible to network the two machines without a
>> hub/router? All I've read says it's easy but in practice but I can't get
>> them to 'see' each other at all. Tried all the wizards and methods I can
>> find. I've even removed all traces of network protocols etc from each and
>> started afresh. Still no luck. WinXP machine has a little connection icon
>> down in the Notification area which states (if hovered over): 'Local Area
>> Connection. Speed: 100 Mbps. Status connected.' WinME machine doesn't
>> have this. Help!
>>
>> Question 2: If there's a resolution to Question 1, would it be possible
>> to share the Net connection between both machines?
>>
>
>


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.778 / Virus Database: 525 - Release Date: 15/10/2004

"Harry" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:cksb7q$qmh$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
> Having torn out all my hair in desparation I hope someone can help.
> Setup as follows:
> 1 Win XP machine, 1 WinME machine
> Both have working NICs connected with a crossover cable.
> WinXP has a 'VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adaptor'.
> WinME has a 'Realtek RTL8139(A) PCI Fast Ethernet Adaptor'
> Win XP machine has ADSL broadband Internet connection (working) via a
Zyxel
> Prestige 630 USB modem.
> Question 1: Is it possible to network the two machines without a
hub/router?
> All I've read says it's easy but in practice but I can't get them to 'see'
> each other at all. Tried all the wizards and methods I can find. I've even
> removed all traces of network protocols etc from each and started afresh.
> Still no luck. WinXP machine has a little connection icon down in the
> Notification area which states (if hovered over): 'Local Area Connection.
> Speed: 100 Mbps. Status connected.' WinME machine doesn't have this. Help!
>
> Question 2: If there's a resolution to Question 1, would it be possible to
> share the Net connection between both machines?
>
I have excactly this setup at home. WinXP PC has broadband connection, and I
use ICS to share the broadband with my WinME PC it all works perfectly.
However, my broadband modem is connected via ethernet (I have two NICs in
that PC), and I wonder if it is this that is giving you difficulties?
Anyway i set mine up using the guide at
http://www.homenethelp.com/ics/index.asp I recommend you give it a try.
Graham

Harry wrote:

> Hi,
> Having torn out all my hair in desparation I hope someone can help.
> Setup as follows:
> 1 Win XP machine, 1 WinME machine
> Both have working NICs connected with a crossover cable.
> WinXP has a 'VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adaptor'.
> WinME has a 'Realtek RTL8139(A) PCI Fast Ethernet Adaptor'

Are you sure this is the card you have in your computer? or is this
just what Windows tells you that you have? (The Realtek driver seems to
be what windows gives you when it can't figure out what card you have)

Windows may give you the impression that everything is working fine, but
if in reality this is not the right driver for your network card, then
you will not get it working.

> Win XP machine has ADSL broadband Internet connection (working) via a Zyxel
> Prestige 630 USB modem.
> Question 1: Is it possible to network the two machines without a hub/router?

Absolutely - you have a crossover cable - this is all you need.

> All I've read says it's easy but in practice but I can't get them to 'see'
> each other at all. Tried all the wizards and methods I can find. I've even
> removed all traces of network protocols etc from each and started afresh.
> Still no luck. WinXP machine has a little connection icon down in the
> Notification area which states (if hovered over): 'Local Area Connection.
> Speed: 100 Mbps. Status connected.' WinME machine doesn't have this. Help!

This makes me suspect the driver is wrong in WinME. Do you have a
driver disk for the network card? If not, Open up your computer and
try and find out the exact make and model number of your network card,
then see if you can find drivers for it.

> Question 2: If there's a resolution to Question 1, would it be possible to
> share the Net connection between both machines?

Yes, Windows XP has Internet Connection sharing that you can use for this.

--
Ben Cottrell AKA Bench

"you do need to get out a bit more dont you. What a dumbass."
- RD in AGHL.

> Hi,
> Having torn out all my hair in desparation I hope someone can help.
> Setup as follows:
> 1 Win XP machine, 1 WinME machine
> Both have working NICs connected with a crossover cable.
> WinXP has a 'VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adaptor'.
> WinME has a 'Realtek RTL8139(A) PCI Fast Ethernet Adaptor'
> Win XP machine has ADSL broadband Internet connection (working) via a
Zyxel
> Prestige 630 USB modem.
> Question 1: Is it possible to network the two machines without a
hub/router?
> All I've read says it's easy but in practice but I can't get them to 'see'
> each other at all. Tried all the wizards and methods I can find. I've even
> removed all traces of network protocols etc from each and started afresh.
> Still no luck. WinXP machine has a little connection icon down in the
> Notification area which states (if hovered over): 'Local Area Connection.
> Speed: 100 Mbps. Status connected.' WinME machine doesn't have this. Help!
>
> Question 2: If there's a resolution to Question 1, would it be possible to
> share the Net connection between both machines?


Some NIC's wont auto-negotiate when cross connected
Try manually configuring both the NIC's (initially) to 10Mbs HDX (Half
Duplex)

The setting is in Network - name of the NIC - advanced tab.

Graham

%Profound_observation%

OK I read the details on the WinME NIC and downloaded & installed a driver
for it.
It's now listed as: Realtek RTL8139/810X Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC
I disabled the firewall and run ICS on the XP machine (again!) and again on
WinME machine.
Still nothing!
On WinME machine I set the TCP/IP protocol to obtain an IP address
automatically but DNS server Tab has no option for this
so I enabled DNS and set the Host to the name of the XP Machine and the
Domain to the workgroup name???
(I'm now in personally uncharted territory)
Running ipconfig on XP Machine lists as suggested except Default Gateway is
blank
IPCONFIG on WinME machine shows as you suggested.
Still nothing. WinME is 'unable to browse the network'

>Graham wrote
>Some NIC's wont auto-negotiate when cross connected
>Try manually configuring both the NIC's (initially) to 10Mbs HDX (Half
>Duplex)
>The setting is in Network - name of the NIC - advanced tab.

Tried that - makes no difference!

Checked both suggested websites:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u..._02july01.mspx
This makes no sense - I dont have those or can't find my way to the
screenshots shown.

http://www.homenethelp.com/ics/index.asp
Doesn't help.

Tomorrow I'll borrow a NIC to replace the Realtek.
If that doesn't work I'll give up

Thanks anyway for all your help

Harry



"Harry" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:cksb7q$qmh$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
> Having torn out all my hair in desparation I hope someone can help.
> Setup as follows:
> 1 Win XP machine, 1 WinME machine
> Both have working NICs connected with a crossover cable.
> WinXP has a 'VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adaptor'.
> WinME has a 'Realtek RTL8139(A) PCI Fast Ethernet Adaptor'
> Win XP machine has ADSL broadband Internet connection (working) via a
> Zyxel Prestige 630 USB modem.
> Question 1: Is it possible to network the two machines without a
> hub/router? All I've read says it's easy but in practice but I can't get
> them to 'see' each other at all. Tried all the wizards and methods I can
> find. I've even removed all traces of network protocols etc from each and
> started afresh. Still no luck. WinXP machine has a little connection icon
> down in the Notification area which states (if hovered over): 'Local Area
> Connection. Speed: 100 Mbps. Status connected.' WinME machine doesn't have
> this. Help!
>
> Question 2: If there's a resolution to Question 1, would it be possible to
> share the Net connection between both machines?
>

Harry wrote:

> OK I read the details on the WinME NIC and downloaded & installed a driver
> for it.
> It's now listed as: Realtek RTL8139/810X Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC

Well, I guess windows picked a decent driver for it - but now you've
done that, we can eliminate that as a possibility.

> I disabled the firewall and run ICS on the XP machine (again!) and again on
> WinME machine.
> Still nothing!
> On WinME machine I set the TCP/IP protocol to obtain an IP address

What if you give this a static IP too? 192.168.0.2 would be a good
choice... subnet mask as 255.255.255.0 again. (both machines should be
on the same subnet)

> automatically but DNS server Tab has no option for this
> so I enabled DNS and set the Host to the name of the XP Machine and the
> Domain to the workgroup name???

Your XP machine is not a DNS server, don't do this. you shouldn't need
to mess about with DNS settings on either of the machines.

> (I'm now in personally uncharted territory)
> Running ipconfig on XP Machine lists as suggested except Default Gateway is
> blank

That's right, XP machine won't have a default gateway since it's
directly connected to the internet via the cable modem...

> IPCONFIG on WinME machine shows as you suggested.
> Still nothing. WinME is 'unable to browse the network'

Being unable to browse the network doesn't always mean the network isn't
working - it just means that file and print sharing isn't working. (you
usually need NetBIOS for file and print sharing)

Did you try ping'ing the computers from each other?

you need to do this in the MS-DOS command prompt, and type

ping 192.168.0.1

(where 192.168.0.1 is the IP address you've given to the XP machine)

if this gives you a result, then the network is working correctly.


--
Ben Cottrell AKA Bench

"you do need to get out a bit more dont you. What a dumbass."
- RD in AGHL.