Using a piece of crossover cable is probably the easiest way to link two PCs. In terms of setting it up, plug the cable in to both machines (obviously ), and then provide both of them with private IPs, eg. 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.0.2. Then try pinging one of the machines from the other to insure that the connection is present. Then right-click on the folder(s) that you would like to access on the PCs and "share" them. Then all you should have to do is access the "Network Neighbourhood" option (or equivalent), and you should be able to locate the other PC's shared folder(s). Then you can copy files between them.

Got the 2 IPconfigs done finally, however, can't seem to link folders. laptop has (Tadefiles) for set up, but does not show on Desktop. Desktop has (Old Pictures) that does not show on laptop. This IS a PAIN in th backside.

Network connected at 100.0 mbps



Edit - Oh well, at least no too much money lost this time. I guess I go back to using Flash drives to transfer files. No matter WHAT I do, one computer can not read or see files on the other computer, even though it says connected. I am really learning to hate Tech things. Time to start a revolution, back to basics I say

Edited by - Finalday on 4/22/2006 7:55:49 PM

Finalday have you tried the wizard included with windows xp. Never tried it so I dunno?

Been there, done that

Were you using the right sort of cable? Sounds to me like you were using a patch cable rather than a crossover. Did you set up a subnet mask range as well as IP addresses? Did you remember to share the folders? Both computers should be in the same network workgroup btw, which they should be connecting to rather than a domain. And it would be advantageous to have the uPnP framework installed for basic home networking.

You really should invest in a cheap hub, it would make life so much easier, or even better a router.

Edited by - The Great Moon Moth on 4/23/2006 4:55:42 AM

Using a CAT-6 cable, RJ-45 which IS a crossover cable. I can't see buying a hub for the sake of sharing a few document files.

Desktop IP is 169.245.27.68 SubNet Mask 255.255.255.0

Laptop IP 169.254.112.126 Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0

Edited by - Finalday on 4/23/2006 5:06:54 AM

those IPs are no good, your ranges are incompatible. If you look at what the Esquilax wrote earlier, they should be for internal networking something like 192.168.1.100 and 192.168.1.101 respectively. Those you put down there look more like the external IP addresses that your ISP(s) assign you. If you have your networking properties set to DHCP, well it's no wonder it's not working for you, as you haven't got a DHCP server set up (even though a dsl or cable modem would act as such) You need to check that your networking properties are set for you to manually assign IPs in a range such as I've outlined above.

you could of course use a null-modem cable instead for direct cable connection, that works well and you don't need to assign IPs. it's slow and limited to serial baud rates, but works. But unless you happen to have one lying around, then you might as well buy a hub, you can easily pick one up for about $10 second hand.

I got those IP addys from the computer. Several web sites on using crossovers sugjested using the command prompt with IPconfig, these are the numbers given from it. The ones Esq said use, only time out when pinged.

GMM is correct. The 169.254.x.x subnets are automatically assigned by Windows when the computer cannot receive an address from a DHCP server. Hence, they're not really suitable. As for the cable Final, I just want to confirm that it *is* a crossover. Not all CAT5 and CAT6 cables are crossover, and you can tell if a cable is a crossover by examing the wires connecting the pins on each end of the cable (crossover should have switched wires, while a standard cable is identical at both ends), or by the fact that most crossover is red, not blue/black/grey/yellow/green/puple/etc/etc. In any case, change the IPs to 192.168.100.1, and 192.168.100.2, and enter the subnet mask for each of them as 255.255.255.0. You may need to restart the computer though, as XP will sometimes ignore assigned IPs (at least in my experience). Then try pinging the machines. If that doesn't work, try the Wizard again, and then check in the "Network Neighbourhood" option and see if you can detect the other PC. As GMM said, a cheap switch (around $20-$30 US) will also work, and will allow you to connect more than two machines.

I have just connected my PC to the family's, It took me several months to completely network it, Are you networking it??? if so what exacly is your prob.

Ok, using 192.168.0.101 for the desktop, and 192.168.0.102 for the laptop. I ping to the laptop, and get

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner>ping 192.168.0.102

Pinging 192.168.0.102 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 192.168.0.102: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.0.102: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.0.102: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.0.102: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128

Ping statistics for 192.168.0.102:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms

But on the return from the laptop to the deck top, I get

Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.

just some random thoughts but does the laptop have the same network services installed(ex. peer to peer)? are TCP/IP filters in the lan card enabled or disabled/permit or deny? i can't offer anything substantive since i've never set up a cross over

I gave up on the crossover, I got a wireless router, cable to the Eithernet connection, power and as I have dial up, no internet conection, The laptop found it in seconds, the desk top can't seem to see it. Any ideas?

Update - Ok, I need a great network guru, I have Dialup, a wireless broudband router, eithernet cable hooking Desktop to router, laptop using Wirless has found the network, installer on desk top, makes it through finding the router, but halts when tring to connect to internet. I have no intention of going broadband.

2nd edit. I give up on ever networking the 2 computers. I am told I need a broadband connection to make a router work, and I refuse to pay that kind of money monthly, just to have a network.

Edited by - Finalday on 4/30/2006 12:05:47 PM

Have you tried setting up "Internet Connection Sharing" through XP? Also remember that unless you use NAT, you will not be able to have two computers access the internet concurrently unless your ISP allocates two IPs.