Pinging directly connected Cisco router

[First]

I've got an XP Pro SP2 desktop connected via CAT5 crossover cable to a Cisco 2511 router. LAN is a private network, no Internet access (during my testing), and all I'm trying to do is a simple ICMP echo i.e. ping from the router via Hyperterminal prompt. Desktop LAN card is not configured via DHCP, i.e. it's static, no dynamic routing protocols are running in the background, though I do have another router connected to the 2511 with PPP encapsulation and CHAP authentication on, but that should have zero effect on an Ethernet port ping.

Since SP2 Pro has a firewall (while pre-SP2 I believe doesn't have the same type/options), I tried turning off the firewall but with no success. I tried turning off any firewalls for ICMP echos, but also with no success. Now, I was also thinking that perhaps because my 2511 port is 10Mbps and my desktop LAN card is FastEthernet, that there may be some issues of auto-negotiation? But I find that unlikely.

It should be noted that I was able to ping successfully intermittently. But very intermittently. Like twice in 50+ tries. Now some might now be thinking it's the cable after hearing that, but really now, I find the whole idea of cables "failing" to be a myth backed up by numerous statistics. Copper isn't as reliable as fiber optics, but they're pretty damn close. Plus, I tried a different crossover cable without success, and I think it's even more unlikely 2 crossover cables failed on me.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any help.

 

[spidey07]

Are these homemade cables? It's no myth, most network problems and intermittent connectivity are physical layer related. I had to learn this the hard way over the last 15 years.

Also, do you have link and are the client and router port on the same subnet?

You can also try forcing the router interface and client nic to 10/half.