Direct Cable Connection won't connect

[alm4rr]

Hi
I am trying to hook up a laptop with a desktop.
Cable = Belkin DB9 F/F Serial cable

I know my cable is attached to COM 1 on both desktop and laptop. I know this port works on desktop b/c I use it for Palm Syncs. I've tried connecting to both COM1 Serials but it is a no go. It just sits there sayin "Connecting cia Serial Cable on COM'x'... "

I'm pretty sure it is not cable, b/c once it popped up VERIFYING USER NAME/PASSWORD, but there arent any passwords/usernames. It then dropped. Since then, after playing with settings, I cannot even get that handshaking back. I have drive C shared on laptop (host) and enable file sharing in Network.
I set the laptop I/O Serial to AUTO in the bios. It's not my laptop, but my bro's who isn't here anymore.

Any thoughts?

 

[DaiShan]

do you have each computer set with a login and password and set to reconnect lost connections on login? You need to have this enabled to share files etc.

 

[alm4rr]

The problem now is that it wont even detect the other computer, let alone try to verify user/pass.

 

[4824guy]

See if you have the same network components protocols installed on each PC, in the control panel-network-configuration tab.

 

[AmphibSailor]

I think what you need is a null modem cable. This is similar to the standard serial cable but has the transmit/receive wires cross connected. So Computer A's transmit is connected to Computer B's receive and Computer B's transmit is connected to Computer A's receive.


See if this link will help:

http://www.vision.net.au/~timotsc/null/nullmodem.htm

 

[alm4rr]

I had everything installed exactly the same in the control panel for network components.
As for the cable, the package says "Direct Cable Connection: Pc-to-Pc File Transfer; "This cable has crossed 'null-modem' wiring design.

Keep the ideas coming - I wouldn't consider myself a newb so I've done most of the obvious things. But as a double check, all suggestions are welcomed

 

[RPB]

are the com ports configured correctly in the device manager ?

 

[4824guy]

A parallel cable is alot faster than a serial one, but I don't know if that would cause any problems. I have always used parallel cables, like the Belkin f3d508-10 (10ft).