Networking - connecting 2 Computers w/o Internet

[jaoglobal]

Hi,
This place is great, and I'm learning a lot from previous questions and replies.
I have two computers. One is a Packard Bell Stationary with Win98second edition. The second is a Compaq Laptop Presario, with WinME. Both machines are equipped with Networks cards, and I connect the machines to Internet (LAN),without HUB or Router, just transfering the Internet cable from one computer to the other, depending on whichever machine I chose to use.
NOW, my question is, can I connect the 2 Computers via direct cable (excluding the Internet), by just connecting the 2 Network cards ? Sometimes I would like to access or transfer files between the 2 computers, but I don't know if this is possible.
Are there any special Network settings, IP numers, etc, for this sort of Networking ?
I shall be grateful for your advise. Thanks in advance.
Regards from Jaoglobal

 

[SESaskDFC]

Howdy:

You would have to use a Cat5 crossover cable.. your ordinary Cat5 won't work.. Install the Netbeui protocol on both and away you go..

Murray

 

[jaoglobal]

Thanks for your quick reply. It's 04.00 AM in Denmark, so I'm going to bed. Will get that special cable and try it out. Thanks again and best regards from Jaoglobal

 

[Mulga]

Re the settings, if you choose to use TCP/IP you should set things up as follows: Ensure both systems have different IP addresses, usually 192.168.1.* where * is any number succ as 1, 2, etc. Subnet mask should be 155.155.155.0 for both. Ensure file sharing is enabled for both and that at least one folder on each system is shared. Each sytem should have a unique name, PC1 and PC2 or somesuch and both should be members of the same workgroup. Help us to help you, please post back and tell us if this helped.
All things are possible except skiing through a revolving door.

 

[bikerbry]

Hi, Here's a link to a site which has a diagram to help you to make a cross-over ...

http://www.attrition.org/gallery/not_humor/,

and it's called RJ45
Cheers,
Bry

 

[wolluf]

Mulga - I think you meant 255.255.255.0 subnet - but i think SESaskDFC has the right idea with netbeui. If the NICs are already used to connect to internet, then TCP/IP will already be in use for the internet connection (probably via DHCP). So, supplying manual IP addresses may well upset the internet connection when NIC is being used for that.

 

[jaoglobal]

Hi.......Thanks all of you for being so helpful. I have not purchsed that cable yet...but will do so soon. I am intrigued my the last comment by "Wollof", regarding potential problems with my Internet connection when/if I establish new IP addresses.Could someone tell me more about this, please.
Thanks and many regards from
Jaoglobal

 

[Mulga]

wolluf,
You are correct of course re subnet... bad case of brain fade. Possibly netbeui would be ok but I have never had any problems using TCP/IP for both my network and Internet. Windows will set up 2 different instances of the protocol which are then configured separately. I do not recommend netbeui these days as support for it is fading fast, it is not even installed by default with XP Help us to help you, please post back and tell us if this helped.
All things are possible except skiing through a revolving door.

 

[1zman]

Here is a good site to use. He has step by step instructions.

http://www.wown.com/

J.Helmigs World Of Windows

1zman

 

[HKinNYC]

Regarding Netbui, it's a carry over of a IBM protocol for local networking, it's not routable.

The problem regarding problems that I can think of is you have to remmeber to switch between manual TCP/IP settings and dynamically assigned TCP/IP settings.

You'll have to enable file and print sharing as well if it's not done so already.

 

[jaoglobal]

Hi...all of you !!
Thanks again for your kind assistance. I have now purchased the Cable, and will try my luck and see if my two computers are on "speaking terms ". Will let you know.
Thanks again and best regards from
Jaoglobal

 

[allteltec]

Buy a cheap Cable/ADSL router with build in switch/hub, Circuit City has a SpeedStreem $39.95 is a good one.
Then both computer can use the Internet at the same time, TCP/IP or Netbui will both work to move files between computers or share Printers.
Remember to turn file shareing on in networking and to share the Drives or folders you need to share.

 

[SESaskDFC]

People.. I think we are missing the point here.. The question was asked how to network WITHOUT internet..

IMHO, the crossover and Netbeui is the easiest and simplest for an amateur to get it done !!

Murray