Legit Reviews

Hi,
Firstly I'd like to say that there seems to be no place for network issues.
Second, I am trying to network two PCs together just using an ethernet cable but it can only get limited connectivity. I don't want to use a router or wireless just one plugged into the other. I know it is possible but I just can't get it to work.

Thanks Neptune24

Are you using a crossover cable? I'm thinking you need to have one for what you are trying.

Question - Is one of the computers connected to the net (could be wireless or via a 2nd Ethernet port)?

Welcome to LR

You need to set each pc to have an IP address in the same range.
Goto network connections, then the properties of each respective LAN connection the d-click "TCP Properties" (Internet Protocol version 4) and give PC 1 the following settings.

IP Address: 192.168.1.1
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: Leave blank
DNS: leave blank

PC2
Same as above except IP Address: 192.168.1.2

We need to know which operating system to help any further.


Ken

This part is from memory, but you'll need to manually assign IP addresses to both cards.

So PC#1 - Ethernet card to connect to PC#2
IP: 192.168.1.1 (Just using this address as an example, doesn't have to be this guy)
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

PC#2 - Ethernet card to connect to PC#1
IP: 192.168.1.2 (on the 2nd machine you have to use another number in the last spot)
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

If PC#1 also has an Internet connection (say via another Ethernet card or wireless) you would use the DNS assigned by your ISP for both of the cards that you are changing. Also, I think there is a checkbox in the properties of the Internet connection that you have to check to allow or share the connection with other computers.

So your design would look something like this:
Internet (ISP)-------------PC#1 [Ethernet card to web]----[Ethernet card to PC#2]----<crossover>------PC#2[Ethernet card to PC#1]

Like I said, this is from memory.

Haha, Ken, we used the same IP range, lol. I was typing that up when you posted.

Hooking up two PCs together with out a router or hub you need a crossover cable.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... 8wIwADgA#p

Set you network settings like others have said, then hook the two PCs together with the cable.

I'd spend a few dollars more an pick up a hub. Think router but it's stupid and has more expandability than a crossover cable.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6833166034

Thanks guys. I will try all of this out and both PCs are windows XP and both just as updated. And don't really want to use a router cause it's just so I can muck about with the network like stuff and what not.

Neptune24

OK I have used a cross-over cable and done all of the IP stuff but it's still not working which is annoying cause I followed what everyone had said to the letter.

Neptune24

Can you "ping" the other PC?

Goto start / run then type "cmd"
Then type "ping 192.168.1.1 or 2 (depending on which pc)
Do you get replies? If so what?

If you get 4 replies, then goto "My Network Places" and see what comes up there. You should see the other PC

You may have to create shared folders to give access

XP comes with the Windows Firewall enabled on a default installation. This will prevent the computers from sending ping responses back to the computer or network that requested it. Disable the firewalls first and try again. If you have any security software such as Norton installed, you may want to disable that as well as it blocks ping requests and SMB shares.

As for sharing, all you have to do is use this little technique: In the run box, type in "\\<computername>\{X}$" without the <>'s, {}'s, and quotes. "Computername" is the computer name you assigned to a PC and the "x" is the drive letter you want to access. The $ stands for an administrative hidden share which is enabled by default on any Windows based computer. Just enter in the administrators' name and password when it prompts upon connection and you are in. I don't recommend going by this method if you have multiple users accessing the same computer, but it works great for computer-to-computer transfers.

The ping tests just time out and I have even done a continual ping but that did the same. I have also removed the firewalls from both ends and even shut down Comodo firewall and still got nothing from the ping tests. I was wondering if it could be the second motherboard, being that it is rather old now. Or even my main motherboard though that is only 3 years old. And is there a certian way round that the cross over needs to be. As far as I know however, I did switch them.

Neptune24

Can you goto start / run type "cmd" then type "ipconfig" and post the results from both pc's?

or maybe ipconfig /all