Questions on PC to LAPTOP networking

[glennz]

I am using D-link DFE-530TX PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter for my PC and I have Intel Pro /100 VE built-in in my laptop. The two computers connect via direct cable, however my problem is that I can only connect the two computers when I configure both of their settings to 10MBps/half duplex. At this settings, the PC can access the LAPTOP's shared file but the LAPTOP can’t access the PC's shared files. The both computer can share and connect same internet line.
In one case, if I set the speed connection type to auto-negotiation, the task bar shows 100MBps connection speed on both computer however the computers cant access or connect to each other. Is it possible the two network adapter I am using is not compatible with each other?
What should I do so that the computers can share files.
I really have relly little technical-know-how about this matter. Any comments will be very much appreciated.

 

[YellowOnline]

I don't know about incompatible networkcards and whether the connection is laptop-desktop or any other combo doesn't matter.
You're saying you don't have much technical know-how on the matter, so I'll give you a quick overview of a network installation.

Since you don't talk about a router and you do about internet, my guess is you have a laptop connecting to the desktop computer, that is connected as well to the internet.
So we would be talking about three network cards. One in the portable, two in the desktop computer. Important is to install one networkcard, boot the computer, let it install in Windows, shut down, install the second etc.

The internet cable plugs in one of the networkcards in the desktop computer. I doesn't really matter which one, but don't forget to enable internet connection sharing on the card you plugged the internetcable in.

The cable between the two computers should be a crosslink cable: the difference from a regular internet cable is that the connection on one side is the opposite of the other.

If a regular cable is
1 ------------ 1
2 ------------ 2
3 ------------ 3
4 ------------ 4

Then a crosslink cable is
1 ------------ 4
2 ------------ 3
3 ------------ 2
4 ------------ 1

The reason for this doesn't really matter, it was just to show the difference.

Next step: go to Start->Preferences->Configuration->System and go to the Network tab. Standard, they should both be in "WORKGROUP" (Windows 2000/XP)
// There might be some translation errors here... my Windows isn't in English //

Finally, make sure the user logging in to computer 1 has an account on computer 2 and vice versa. In Win2000 and WinXP it should just prompt you for a loginass, but in WinME (I think) it doesn't bt just gives an error.

Oh yes, and don't forget to set the right rights on the maps you want to share!

---

Just ignore this message if it was seriously underestimating your knowledge ...

Peace,

Yellow

 

[bcastner]

My guess is the driver on the notebook. See this note:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315237