Crossover Cable Internet Sharing issue

[sMgz]

I'm trying to share my internet from my desktop to my laptop via a crossover cable, and running into problems. Both machines are running XP (Home, which I've heard might be an issue, but I don't think it should be) the desktop has SP3, but the laptop has SP2. Desktop has a DFI board with 2 onboard NICs. I've tried each of the following several times:

Windows Network Setup Wizard
Setting Static IPs + Internet Connection Settings
Bridging the two NICs on the desktop

I've gotten to the point where each is sending and receiving packets and I can see/access shared files on both machines, but the laptop will absolutely not access the internet.

I'm at College trying to do this, not with a cable connection at home, but I'm fairly sure I did this last year without a hitch using the same hardware, so I can't figure out what the problem might be.

Any help is appreciated, so thanks in advance.

-sMgz

 

[JackMDS]

Are you just Bridging?

You need to use ICS for Routing.

http://www.practicallynetworke...aring/xp_ics/index.htm

 

[sMgz]

followed that tutorial exactly, same result

if it matters, when I got this working before, and when it works at home, my laptop sees "Internet Gateway" when things are working, and that's not coming up now. it comes up in the tutorial, but after running both wizards my setup doesn't look the same

if it wasn't clear before my setup is, simply:

[Desktop PC]<--crossover ethernet cable-->[Laptop PC]

no router or hub or switch involved

 

[kevnich2]

You do know that you'll save yourself a LOT of headache by just purchasing a $40 or $50 wireless router right? Every time I hear someone say it's too expensive for them, they always spend hour upon hour trying to troubleshoot all the problems that they get by going around it and in the end end up getting it anyway and just saying, I should have gotten this in the beginning. These were designed for this purpose and they're not expensive anymore.

 

[TheKub]

Do a IPconfig /all on both machines and post the results.

 

[Pheran]

Originally posted by: kevnich2
You do know that you'll save yourself a LOT of headache by just purchasing a $40 or $50 wireless router right? Every time I hear someone say it's too expensive for them, they always spend hour upon hour trying to troubleshoot all the problems that they get by going around it and in the end end up getting it anyway and just saying, I should have gotten this in the beginning. These were designed for this purpose and they're not expensive anymore.

Seconded - ICS-type solutions are a pain in the butt, a router is much easier to deal with.

 

[JackMDS]

Well, as mentioned few time above $19.99 can easily solve your problem.

TrendNet Wireless Router $19.99 ship free, http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833156038

 

[Lemon law]

I have had a ICS network for years and its really trouble free. If you are limited to two and only two XP computers its the cheapest and easiest way go, basically just the cost of crossover cable. A router is a totally un needed headache. TheKub is correct, after a network setup using the net works set up wizard, don't set up anything static yet, look at your ip address, if they are not in a form of 192.168.0.1 for the host, and 192.168.0.xxx for the client PC, you are missing a network protocol. All you need is tcp/ip, client for microsoft networks, and file and printer sharing on microsoft networks. If both your computers have those up and enabled and with those addresses, then you should rebuild the tcp/ip stack with a winsock repair program. Then select repair connection and it should get you up and running or suggest what else you need to do. Once you have everything working, then you can go static addressing.

The other possibility is that a software firewall is screwing you up on the lap top or host computer and firewalling you out. Or you did not enable sharing in set up. If you have the SP2 firewall and another software
firewall, even if the SP2 firewall is off when you set up the network, the SP2 firewall will turn itself back on, and you will have to go back into the control panel and turn it off on both computers.

Its a trouble shooting problem without many branches. PM me if you need any help.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Originally posted by: Lemon law
I have had a ICS network for years and its really trouble free. If you are limited to two and only two XP computers its the cheapest and easiest way go, basically just the cost of crossover cable. A router is a totally un needed headache. TheKub is correct, after a network setup using the net works set up wizard, don't set up anything static yet, look at your ip address, if they are not in a form of 192.168.0.1 for the host, and 192.168.0.xxx for the client PC, you are missing a network protocol. All you need is tcp/ip, client for microsoft networks, and file and printer sharing on microsoft networks. If both your computers have those up and enabled and with those addresses, then you should rebuild the tcp/ip stack with a winsock repair program. Then select repair connection and it should get you up and running or suggest what else you need to do. Once you have everything working, then you can go static addressing.

The other possibility is that a software firewall is screwing you up on the lap top or host computer and firewalling you out. Or you did not enable sharing in set up. If you have the SP2 firewall and another software
firewall, even if the SP2 firewall is off when you set up the network, the SP2 firewall will turn itself back on, and you will have to go back into the control panel and turn it off on both computers.

Its a trouble shooting problem without many branches. PM me if you need any help.

The router isnt as much of a headache as leaving one pc on just to serve internet to the other, its a waste of power.

 

[TheKub]

Originally posted by: Lemon law
A router is a totally un needed headache.

Can't really agree on a router being a headache. Using just about any router any xp machine that hasn't been mucked around with would be online in moments.

Truly is far more simple than the average user to installing ICS, installing an additional NIC if necessary, getting a crossover cable, configuring static addresses, etc.

 

[Lemon law]

Originally posted by: TheKub

Originally posted by: Lemon law
A router is a totally un needed headache.

Can't really agree on a router being a headache. Using just about any router any xp machine that hasn't been mucked around with would be online in moments.

Truly is far more simple than the average user to installing ICS, installing an additional NIC if necessary, getting a crossover cable, configuring static addresses, etc.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't want to be anti-router, they have their uses, especially in three or more PC networks. The extra needed NIC is not always the case, a patch cable or a crossover cable is a wash, unless one goes wireless, and then there is the headache of network security and a speed hit to boot. And if I had a nickle for every router that crapped out on this forum, I would be a rich man.

As for the RadiclDreamer point of "The router isnt as much of a headache as leaving one pc on just to serve internet to the other, its a waste of power." Which may be true if there is just one user, but when I am on line with my computer, my wife is happily on line with hers.

 

[JackMDS]

A Router creates a safer Network because of the NAT Firewall.

A Router keeps the Internet alive with No need of logons.

In case a DSL PPPOE the connection with a Router is more stable and slightly faster.

A Router has DHCP server that makes it more flexible and little easy for End User to find what wrong in case of trouble.

I never used ICS with Vista for long period of time, out with XP ICS is Quirky for the long run might cause trouble.

In matter of fact I recommend to people that ask my advice to use a Router with Broadband Internet connection even with a single computer. Most do listen and are very happy.

 

[sMgz]

Originally posted by: Lemon law
I have had a ICS network for years and its really trouble free. If you are limited to two and only two XP computers its the cheapest and easiest way go, basically just the cost of crossover cable. A router is a totally un needed headache. TheKub is correct, after a network setup using the net works set up wizard, don't set up anything static yet, look at your ip address, if they are not in a form of 192.168.0.1 for the host, and 192.168.0.xxx for the client PC, you are missing a network protocol. All you need is tcp/ip, client for microsoft networks, and file and printer sharing on microsoft networks. If both your computers have those up and enabled and with those addresses, then you should rebuild the tcp/ip stack with a winsock repair program. Then select repair connection and it should get you up and running or suggest what else you need to do. Once you have everything working, then you can go static addressing.

The other possibility is that a software firewall is screwing you up on the lap top or host computer and firewalling you out. Or you did not enable sharing in set up. If you have the SP2 firewall and another software
firewall, even if the SP2 firewall is off when you set up the network, the SP2 firewall will turn itself back on, and you will have to go back into the control panel and turn it off on both computers.

Its a trouble shooting problem without many branches. PM me if you need any help.

Thanks for the help, I'm going to try the winsock fix. I'm pretty confident that the IP's were coming up 192.168.0.X every time I ran the wizard, and I disabled the firewall on the host and the client every time I ran it.

The only thing I have that could possibly be blocking it is AVG Free, and I'm nearly 100% sure that doesn't mess with the network at all

 

[Lemon law]

To sMge,

As a antivirus program, AVG should not do any blocking. But you should run a firewall, and the SP2 firewall will work well on both computers, just configure both for sharing.

Once both winsocks are rebuilt, make sure to enable placing a network icon on the task bar for both computers. Before you enable networking, your local area connection should show limited connectivity, after the
wizard is run, it should show connected. And you should be up and running. If not, repair both connections.

 

[JackMDS]

Yeah, Winsock problem are one of the most common outcome (punishment) of running a computer directly on the Internet Modem.

It is very easy to suggest to people to Do what One is doing and it works for them.

The only trouble is that One does not take into consideration his own level of knowledge versus the knowledge of the person that seeks help.

So Now we are running two computers directly on the Internet and the Firewall is Off. :evil:

Good luck with this one. :thumbsdown:

 

[kevnich2]

To LemonLaw, I completely 100% disagree with you. Add in the crossover cable, extra NIC, time involved & added power consumption and it's no longer cheaper and definitely not easier. If you are actually recommending this to people like this, I suggest not doing that anymore. Like Jack, I recommend a router to any person I do consulting or support for even if they only have 1 internet connection. The router provides extra security, an extra layer to have to try getting through, internet sharing, etc. Not to mention when you have problems with internet, having a router is MUCH easier to troubleshoot than using windows ICS.

 

[Lemon law]

To kevnich2,

Given my experience, I respectfully disagree with you.

 

[sMgz]

Originally posted by: kevnich2
To LemonLaw, I completely 100% disagree with you. Add in the crossover cable, extra NIC, time involved & added power consumption and it's no longer cheaper and definitely not easier. If you are actually recommending this to people like this, I suggest not doing that anymore. Like Jack, I recommend a router to any person I do consulting or support for even if they only have 1 internet connection. The router provides extra security, an extra layer to have to try getting through, internet sharing, etc. Not to mention when you have problems with internet, having a router is MUCH easier to troubleshoot than using windows ICS.

I already own the crossover cable, my mobo came with two onboard NICs, and the power is paid for by the university, so the only real question is whether $20 + tax + shipping (I live in NJ, newegg has a warehouse here.) is a good tradeoff to save a little time. Being a college student, I'd rather sped the little bit of time to fix the issue than go for some new hardware. So in this specific case, it is the right choice (to me)

 

[RebateMonger]

Having somebody who doesn't understand exactly what he/she is doing run a PC directly on the Internet with no router in place is crazy. EVERY single port and running application is a target for 'bots that constantly search the Internet for such opportunities.

 

[Lemon law]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Having somebody who doesn't understand exactly what he/she is doing run a PC directly on the Internet with no router in place is crazy. EVERY single port and running application is a target for 'bots that constantly search the Internet for such opportunities.

Only in that security area do I agree that router might help someone who is computer security ignorant. Even with something like the SP2 firewall, much of that router advantage becomes a wash, and there are quite a few far better software firewalls that will do far more than a router and monitor outgoing traffic as well.

But we do not know what sMgz runs in the way of security, for all we know he may be running win XP pro with a full software restriction policy or be running a virtual PC, and be almost bulletproof anyway.

But if we are going to be getting into side tangent debates on computer security rather than the router or no router question, its takes some expertise to take full security advantage of either type set up. And the noob will have problems either way. Nor do we know that sMgz's laptop is wirelessly enabled.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Lemon law Nor do we know that sMgz's laptop is wirelessly enabled.

The last time I saw a Wireless Router it had ports of the kind that the computer has. :shocked:

However if the laptop is Wireless enable that another reason to have a Wireless Router rather than danglling at the end of a Cross over Rope.

sMgz.

I agree with you to the extend that if One want to provide help it is Not One business to judge someone else financial status and "force" a solution that might not be affordable by the person who seek the help.

If you notice in my first post I tried to help you with ICS, and did not mentioned a Router.

Only when the thread started to swim in "dangerous water", I switched to the preferred solution. :thumbsup:

 

[sMgz]

I appreciate the input from everyone, and sadly I can't get any results out yet because I've hardly had any time for anything with two exams this week. By the weekend, I should have some time to iron this out and see what's up

 

[Lemon law]

Keep us updated. Just do yourself a favor and run a firewall on both computers once the ICS network is up and running.