Trying to network 2 PC's together...

[ddeder]

I have installed a NIC in each PC. I created a crossover cable myself with supplies bought at Home Depot. I turned on file sharing and installed TCP/IP and NETBUI.

The problem...

First of all, the RJ45 connectors do not snap into the NIC like they should. Neither RJ45 connector snaps into either NIC. Did I just get some cheap RJ45's or what? Okay, I figure maybe they don't actually have to snap in, as long as they are pushed in they should work. I push them in the NICs and pull up Network Neighborhood on both machines. The local machine shows up on both but not the networked machine.

When I plug the cable into the NIC, should one or both of the lights on the NIC light up? One is labeled LINK the other is labeled ACT. What do these lights mean?

Running Windows 98 SE on both machines with an Encore NIC in each...

 

[minendo]

i believe LINK is just letting you know that the computer has a connection and the the ACT is showing that there is activity being carried out. I may be wrong on this. If i am right though the act light should not stay on

 

[DaveSimmons]

Do both machines belong to the same "workgroup" or "domain"? (network neighborhood properties)

Have you set up file / printer sharing on one of the machines?

Does settings > control panel > system > device manager say that the card is working (check each computer)?

 

[ddeder]

Yes, Yes and Yes. I don't know if my problem is due to the connector not actually snapping into place or if there is a problem with the cable or its insertion into the RJ45's... Has anyone else had this problem with RJ45 connectors? The ones I got are made by a company called Ideal. Are there other brands that work better?

 

[ojai00]

the clicking sound that you get depends on how you hold it. if you're holding it by the connector and sticking it into the NIC, you won't get the clicking sound. if you hold it by the cable and stick it in, you should get a clicking sound. however, the clicking sound shouldnt matter. as long as the cable is secure in the NIC, you should have a good connection. i would just make sure that all the protocols are binded, and that you have file and printer sharing, tcp/ip, netbeui, and the same workgroup/domain. hope this helps. good luck.

 

[JackMDS]

Buy yourself one cable for testing purposes.

If you don?t want to buy long one, put the two computer on the same desk, and buy 3? cable foe $3.

If your cable is OK check your settings:

Sharing:
Assuming that your hardware is functioning, and you are using the correct type of CAT5 cables.

All computers can have one, two, or three, of the following Network Protocols:

1. TCP/IP - must be installed for Internet
2. NetBEUI ? simple, no IP scheme, Internet safe (recommended as Default Protocol).
3. IPX/PX ? needed for some LAN games.

The three can reside together BUT - All computers must have the same Default Protocol..

All used Protocols are bound to the Ethernet Card.

All computers have the same Workgroup name.

Each computer has it own unique name.

Read this for Win 2000: Sharing Files/Printers between WinNT/Win2K

And this for Win98

Sharing setting in Win98!!!

You will not see a Computer in the Network Neighborhood, unless it shares something.

Make sure that you Logon as Client for Microsoft Network.

There are three places to be checked for sharing:

The first two are in Control Panel, Network.

1. The Protocol that you are using for sharing, has to be bound to Client for Microsoft Network, and Sharing is Checked in the protocol's properties menu.

2. The general File and Print Sharing has to be installed, and checked.

The third in "My Computer" folder.

3. Individual Drive or/and printer has to be checked for sharing.
Right click on the device to share, choose properties, click on the sharing Tab, check Shared As, and give it a name.

For printer:

Click My Computer, click on Printers, right click on the printer that you want to share, click on Properties, choose the Sharing tab, checked share, give it a name.

Important: The Shared Printer Drivers has to be installed on all computers that use this printer.