Problem connecting two PCs via crossover cable

[Mephisto]

I have already read some threads regarding crossover connections, but they weren't helpful.
Each Windows XP Pro PC has a 100 MBit PCI Ethernet card, and I 'm using a crossover network cable to connect them. I assign an IP-address to each PC (195.168.1.1 and ...2, Subnet mask 255.255.255.0), no default Gateway.
After having done that, I can ping my own host, but not the other one. It also doesn't work from the other machine. On both machines XP says that there is a LAN connection.
What's going wrong? Cable broken?
Thank's a lot!

 

[RossGr]

What protocols have you installed?

I am not familiar with XP so cannot tell you how to do it but you need to attatch TCP/IP to your NICs and share your HDs, XP will probably need some permissions also.

 

[jfunk]

Can you ping the other machine using IP address?

What are your settings in TCP/IP?

What other protocols do you have installed?


j

 

[ktwebb]

Do you have a link light on both NIC's?

 

[Mephisto]

Thanks for your help!
My machine has only TCP/IP installed, the other one additionally an A-DSL protocol. I'm not sure about the lights, and I can't check that at the time.
I don't think I need to share drives. The purpose of the connection is just gaming via TCP/IP, no file-, print- or internet sharing or other higher-level networking.
Thanks again!

 

[namux]

I believe in order to get Windows Networking to work, you need to install Netbui which is a proprietary windows protocol. Your computers should be pingable after this is installed.

 

[JackMDS]

You better tell the whole story, if you don?t want to share any thing why do you need a network?

If you want only to share, Internet connection read this:

The Basic Options to Share Internet Connection (Internet Sharing 101).

Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?


Setting Network in XP Pro.

Sharing in XP Pro.

 

[Mephisto]

<< You better tell the whole story, if you don?t want to share any thing why do you need a network?
>>


Thanks! I didn`t say I want a network, I said I wanted to temporarily connect two PCs via crossover cable for pure TCP/IP gaming.

 

[JackMDS]

When XP claims LAN connection, that means that the OS detected NIC installed, but that does not mean that you have a functional Network.

Gaming is very varied, old games needs IPX protocol, and most new game needs TCP/IP. Some game needs the sharing.

Your best option is to start from scratch, and establish first a functional Network

The two XP links in my previous post have the info that you need.

 

[Nutz]

<< I believe in order to get Windows Networking to work, you need to install Netbui which is a proprietary windows protocol. Your computers should be pingable after this is installed. >>



Yes and no. The experts can correct me if I'm wrong (and they will), but Netbeui doen't quite work like that. It will give you network functionality, but its not a routable protocol. Also, Ping is an ICMP request, which is IP based (connectionless). In case you didn't know, its what makes the latter part of the TCP/IP protocol. Take a guess at what protocol needs to be installed? And by the way, the games I'VE played lately don't even support Netbeui anymore. TCP/IP and IPX are pretty much all I've seen as options these days. Stick with TCP/IP and give it an address of one of the following ranges:

192.168.0.xxx with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0
172.16.xxx.xxx w/SNM 255.255.0.0
10.0.0.xxx w/SNM 255.0.0.0

Those IPs don't necessarily need to be adhered to if the network isn't gonna be connected to the internet, but its always a good idea to use them. They are reserved for private networks and cannot be used as routed IP addresses (IIRC). Besides, if you really want the other computer's name to show up in network neighborhood, just make TCP/IP the default protocol and enable Netbios over TCP/IP (advanced properties window). Ensure you have a vaild connection and are using a crossover cable if directly connecting the PCs (Pin 1 to 3 and 2 to 6 are crossed at one end). An active link light on NIC will indicate a good receive. Its late and thats all I can think of right now.