Conecting two computers together using conecting cable 1

[ATrain1]

I have one computer using windows XP and one computer using Windows ME. I have a Ethernet crossover cable connecting them. The computer using windows ME did not have an Ethernet port, so I installed a 10/100Mbs Fast Ethernet PCI card and installed it using the disk provided. The device manager recognizes this card as a modem and calls it a 'PCI Modem Enumerator'. I want to set a connection so that I can play games between the two computers.

Could you please if Posible give a full description of how to complete this process.


<-- I have doubts whether the PCI disk installed properly and maybe the driver is wrong.

 

[Grenage]

'PCI Modem Enumerator'

It sounds like you have the incorrect driver installed, I would reinstall the driver for the device. As for the physical connection between the two machines, you will need a crossover cable if there is no switch/hub inbetween.


Carlsberg don't run I.T departments, but if they did they'd probably be more fun.

 

[ISDNman]

You will also need to make sure TCP/IP is availabel as a protocol in the setup menu for each computer. Then manually assign each computer an IP address.

Use 192.168.0.x and
192.168.0.y

Set both subnet masks to 255.255.255.0

X and Y must be unique and can be any number from 0 to 255

You will not need to configure a gateway or DNS server

 

[ISDNman]

PS - given that you already know you need a crossover cable, you may have btter luck in the TCP/IP forum here:

http://www.tek-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=581

They may even have an FAQ on configuring PC's for TCP/IP.

Good luck

 

[Sympology]

Personally I'd dump the crossover and get a little hub, far more reliable when using windows networking and they are dirt cheap now.

This site carries a good guide to networking fundamentals (as well as some advanced stuff)

http://www.firewall.cx/

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[Hitechbuzz]

Get Rid of ME and install XP on both it's simpler

Cheers Brian
To see is to know To Know is to see

 

[bikermouse]

N-link's instruction manual told me to install their software,
turn off the compoter.
install the hardware.
turn on the computer
(this may be differrent for your card - check any documentation and if nothing else google for the manufacturer of your card- have the model number or serial number ready to download updated drivers or information.)

make a network disk(a floppy) in the more recent computer
run the disk on the other computers.
the only other part should be congiguring tcp/ip

In Local Area Connection Properties: tpc/ip try:

XP 192.168.0.1 on xp
ME 192.168.0.2 on me
mask 255.255.255.0
DNS 192.168.1.1


I did this and I can run a crossover between two compters without a hitch - I'm very pleased. my new problem is that I've inherited a couple of old computers and I wish I had a router or hub so I could connect all 5 also can't get ipx running, but I'm happy.

 

[Sympology]

Why do you want IPX? it's a good as dead. Legacy from the old Novell days.

Stu..

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[mikeydidit]

The mini hubs are very cheap, and you can find them at Walmart or Best Buy.



Mikey

 

[bikermouse]

Me? I just have a couple games I want to play once in a while - other than that I'm fine with TCP/IP . . . got the IXP only games running. As it turns out, on XP I had the address set to other than zero and the network set to something other than one. On the older one (ME) I found that Novell Networks had to be a client (or so it seems.)

Anyrate, I'm about to try to get some sort of a hub as I've got 5 computers to link together... Should I use a hub,router or switch?

In the meantime, I'm thinking of using serial ports as a temporary measure but I have no idea which routings work for DB-9 null modems. I looked all over the net and found three configurations for DB-9 to DB-9 wiring. Not sure which one to use - any suggestions there?

- TJ

 

[Sympology]

You don't need a router, thats for getting to external networks other than your 192.. e.g if you wanted to get from 192.x.x.x to 10.x.x.x or 135.x.x.x

A hub will take a message for a tramsit a send it to all pc's, but only the correct one will bother with it.

A switch looks at some info in the TCP/IP packets and send it to the right machine.

As your only running a small network, you won't notice much difference between the two, but if you can afford the little extra, go for a switch. In fact may "hubs" these days are actually switches.

Stu..

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[skip555]

In fact may "hubs" these days are actually switches.

and some dogs are cats ?

 

[bikermouse]

Thanks Stu!

As to the null modem cables:

I went over to Wittcomm Electronics here in Fresno and talked to Tom about it. He said that he wired his network for the store using DB 9 null modems on unix the cables he uses use a pinout routing of:

1 - 4
2 - 3
3 - 2
4 - 6,1
5 - 5
6 - 4
7 - 8
8 - 7

I'm still not convinced that this is the right cable,
but eventually I'll get it right - no rush.

thank you for the help!!

 

[wires]

DB 9 null modems on unix"

Not really a network but a bunch of terminals running sessions on the unix host. Very common in point of sale systems.

While you could network two machines (max) together with RS-232 the speed would suck. Not much good for most games.

Either use a small hub or switch (I have NEVER seen a hub that was a switch!) some routers have a switch in them so they would work also.

The advantage of a hub in small networks is in ease of troubleshooting since all packets are available on all ports.

 

[Sympology]

I refer to some "hubs" as being switches as many places will incorrectly describe a Switch as a Hub. So it may be called a 10/100 hub on the shelf, but you may find it's actually a 10/100 switch.
It's the old "sellotape" syndrome (Pressure sensitve adhesive vinyl Tape) or Hoover (vacuum cleaner).
People have called then hubs for so long it's become an incorrect generic term.
Just to confuse things as you go higher end you get layer 3-7 switches that do routing better than most routers, then it really gets blurry.

Of course could recommend a layer 7 switch, for ultimate performance, but he may have to sell his house and family to buy one!



Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[bikermouse]

Stu and wires,
I got the direct cable working sort of. it will use
com1 to go from the ME computer to the W98 computer ok and
I learned that I can access my XP computer from it through the eithernet crossover. It's a one way at a time connection but I was expecting that.

I wasn't execting to be able to lan games over a direct cable - only over the actual LAN and that works so I'm happy. What I was hoping to do that I haven't accomplished yet is to use com2 on the ME computer to direct cable to Windows 2000 computer(not at the same time of course) - but so far no luck. Anyrate I'll see about the switch in a week or so.

As to the 2000 to ME problem: I think it's an administrative error as it keeps asking for passwords that are not even set up nor required as far as I can tell, but I might find that it is just that you can only cable one com port for direct cabling.

Sorry for the lateness of my reply - I've been battling a virus and zeno popups (somehow I misconfigured my popup blocker.) Got 'em both licked now I think - also I mistook
LSASS.EXE(a crucial system file) for ISASS.EXE(a virus) took corrective action (opps!) and ended up having to F10(re-setup) XP. Anyrate my internet security is set to high for right now!!

Thank you for your help! I'll check back if I get 2000 to direct cable to ME.
- TJ