help me get another computer cracking

[Fingers]

i just installed a new nic today. I have all the divers installed on it correctly and when i look up network neighbohood it will find itself but not the other computer on the network. it is doing this on both computers. any ideas on how to make it work

 

[Fingers]

by the way, the nic was courtesy of RaySun2Be. Thanks a lot Ray.

 

[TheJoker]

Have you tried running a cable between the two?

 

[Kilowatt]

Do you have the same Workgroup name, it's case sensitive.
Is it the same IP range IE: 192.168.1.xxx and netmask?

 

[Fingers]

yes, its the same workgroup and i have it obtain the ip automatically
should i specify one for each?

 

[Fingers]

right now, i have them directly connected together. i am using the nic for my cable modem and connecting it with the other. I am going to get a router this weekend, but wanted to set it up before i get the router. if i plus my cable modem into each one, both have internet access. they just won't find each other. Sorry not to give more details earlier.

 

[TheJoker]

Unless you have a DHCP server your going to need to specify an ip address. Use like 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.0.2 for the other. Then use 255.255.255.0 for the subnet mask.

 

[Fingers]

well, i justtried that and it didn't work. can you think of anything else it might be.

 

[Fingers]

oops, double post

 

[vss1980]

Ask a silly question time - are you using a hub/switch at all? Will the router you get have more than one network port? If not you will need a hub/switch.

As for networking them now - Normal network cards can connect to each other without a hub, when cross-over cable is used. Normal UTP/STP cable doesn't work unless a hub is used in-between connections.

This is my only conclusions I can come to after reading your posts - as both computers can use the cable modem, obviously both NIC's and UTP cable is working, but it will never work directly connecting without cross-over cable. You can find information as how to modify standard cable to make it a cross-over cable, but you will have to decide if it is worth it in the long run (you may need a standard cable again in future or need standard cables for longer durations than cross-over).

EDIT: PS. Ray, you're getting older, beat ya to it.

 

[RaySun2Be]

Fingers, to connect the 2 computers together directly, you need a cross-over cable, where several of the wires are switched so they can send/receive correctly. Short of that, you will have to wait until you get your router to connect them so they can talk.

And your welcome, just passing along the generosity shown me!

[edit]DOH! VSS beat me to it! [/edit]

 

[TheJoker]

Well if it's a normal network cable it's not going to work from comp to comp. You will need a crossover pinout for that or have it go through a hub.

 

[Fingers]

so, rj45 won't work for me in this case? okay, it looks like i'll just have to wait to get my shinney new router. Thanks for all the help guys. I don't know what i would do if it wasn't for these forums.

 

[vss1980]

It's not so much a factor of the rj-45 system not working - there is a provision in the fact that cross-over cable exists (it has more use than just linking two computers together) You can always buy some X-over (cross-over) cable from somewhere - In UK its about £1 / metre, so in US I'm betting its about $1 / meter (we get ripped off over here ).

 

[Tetsuo316]

one more silly matter to clear up... you do have all the correct protocols installed right? IPX, TCP/IP, NetBEUI are all installed? it may help, but it seems to me that if you're hooking the computers directly to each other than it's the crossover cable that's the issue and not the correct protocols.

 

[Wellcky]

All you really need as for the protocols is TCP/IP if you are running it all through a hub!

 

[Fingers]

well if it helps clear anything up, right now i was trying to hook them directly together, but this weekend i will be getting a router with built in switch. and yes i have the protocols installed.