Ug, sorry guys, but how do I network these two computers

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Real basic I know, but it's been about 6 or 7 years (used to network 3.11 and Netware systems) since I've done this stuff, but I have no clue where to start getting these two systems connected (if it's even possible).

Basically what I need is 2 computers to share files back and forth, that's it. One is used to record video, change it to divx (mystery science theater 3000, etc), then i want to archive it on the main system (large hard drives).

Computer 1 is the main computer:
XP Pro
Onboard Lan being used for the cable modem (works fine)
Linksys NC100u as the second card (XP sees it fine, no conflicts)

Computer 2 is the TV/Video computer:
Windows 98se
Netgear FA310TX

I have no idea where to go from here. I've looked around and had no real luck so I turn to you experts here
I have a cross-over cable between the two (does it matter which way it's plugged in?). It's homemade:
One end is (looking at the bottom where the contacts are, from left to right)
White/Orange
Orange
White/Green
Blue
White/Blue
Green
White/Brown
Brown

Cross-over is (Looking at the bottom where the contacts are, from left to right):
White/Green
Green
White/Orange
Blue
White/Blue
Orange
White/Brown
Brown

Is this right so far? In XP pro my little thing at the bottom right comes up and says network 2 is unplugged, with both computers on.
Any pages I can go to to learn how to do this, is it possible, or any ideas? Thanks, I'm really lost

 

[ivwshane]

Go buy a real crossover cable and install file and print sharing for ms clients. Right click my network places (or network nieghbor hood)-->properties-->right click on the network adapter that will be connecting the two systems-->properties-->and install file and print sharing (if it isn't already installed). Make sure you have a unique computer name and that the workgroup name is the same on both systems. Create identical accounts on both systems and that should be it.


If all else fails try this site.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

<< Go buy a real crossover cable >>

i used to crimp these things all day, it's not like the stuff came from office depot if those colors are right, I'm 99.9% sure the cable is good. I just can't remember if those are right (i think they are)



<< install file and print sharing for ms clients >>

i think this is installed. when i check the linksys card in xp it says it's installed. in 98se under network, i have file sharing checked.



<< Make sure you have a unique computer name and that the workgroup name is the same on both systems >>

One is named "Computer" (ha!), the other OEMPC. Both are under the workgroup "workgroup" (i know in 98se, i can't find it in xp pro, but when i installed it i just left it at the default).



<< Create identical accounts on both systems and that should be it. >>

huh?

it's been so long since ive done this it's basically like learning it all again. thanks for the reply.

 

[ivwshane]

In xp go to the control panel then users and create a new user. For 98 go to the control panel and look for the users and password icon, I believe you can create a user from there.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

yeah they both have different names and are under WORKGROUP for workgroup. that what ye be talking about?

 

[ivwshane]

No I'm talking about the user names. Try connecting the two, if either of the network system tray icons have a red X on it then the cable is done wrong. If it doesn't then browse around in "My Network Places" or "Network Neighborhood". You might have to share a folder first inorder to see something though. If you get an error message or something to the effect that you don't/might not have permission then you have to use the same name and password for both systems.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

<< if either of the network system tray icons have a red X on it then the cable is done wrong >>

yeah ive got a red x in xp pro. nothing in 98se. just my little volume knob. i'll see if i can find another cable or make another. thanks for the heads up and the responses.

btw i do need a cross-over right? a straight is no good for computer to computer.

 

[BrianBBB]

If it says network cable unplugged then your problem is clearly with the connection ... don't worry about this user accounts stuff until you have a real connection.

At that point you'll want to right click 'My Computer', go to 'Manage' ... then under Local Users and Groups -> Users ... enable the Guest account so you don't have to use a password every time you want to browse files across the link.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

<< If it says network cable unplugged then your problem is clearly with the connection >>

sho nit? i dunno how it works on PC to PC. on PC to switch i know if the light comes on at the hub im good to go. however when i plug this x-over from pc to pc i dont get any pretty lights

guess it's a bad cable. so i assume that if the cable is good, the lights will come on, regardless of what windows has loaded (ie, i could be in bios and the lights on the cards would be on showing connection right?)

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

ok, the cross over cable is fine. i hooked it up to the back of my cable modem and to the hub, turned off the uplink, and it worked. i plugged regular cables into the nic on computer 1 and into the nic on computer 2, and they both lit up, so the cable, and network cards all seem to be working fine. what am i missing?

 

[nimaxpro]

From what I understood: you have 2 computers that you want to connect together to share/transfer files between each other, right?
Install the NICs (you already did), connect them with the crossover cable. Then install file sharing on both computers (go to network properties and install it from there). Then make sure both of the computers are in the same workgroup (you already did this, they're in "workgoup" but you might want to try renaming it). It will ask you to restart so do so on both computers, afer that go and select files/ folders that you want to share and create shares for them (right click on file and select "sharing", in win XP, like in win2k you might need to create a new share, so just click on "share this folder" and then "new share"). After this you should be able to share you resources between the 2 computers. If you want to share your internet connection then it's another story, you'll need a proxy server for it (simple and free one is "proksi" that can be found on cnet.com)

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

humm, plugged the cable in and worked right away, no clue why it wasnt working last night. ok i can see things on the other computer (computer1 sees computer 2's shared items). however, when (on 98se on computer 2) i click on this pc, it asks for a password.
Resource: \\OEMPC\IPC$
Password:

what am i supposed to put here? i never set any passwords on this computer

 

[nimaxpro]

Try to set up a guest account on the Win XP machine or just try to enter your password from XP's admin's account. Don't know if it will work but still worth a try.

 

[teriba]

<< Both are under the workgroup "workgroup" (i know in 98se, i can't find it in xp pro, but when i installed it i just left it at the default).
>>


The default is MSHOME, isn't it? It is in XP and every 9x OS. If so, one computer is on "workgroup" and the other is on "MSHOME". Might want to check on that.

 

[ivwshane]

No some of the older OS's use workgroup, he's ok because he can see a share on the XP box. If you don't remember the password for the account name you are using on your XP box then go to the user's and passwords and reset your password, then recreate a similar account on your 98 box using the same password.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

<< Try to set up a guest account on the Win XP machine or just try to enter your password from XP's admin's account. Don't know if it will work but still worth a try. >>

no go on the guest account, the admin account doesnt have a password. never put one in


i created a password and still no go from the 2nd computer. i can still xfer files back and forth now using pc1. that should be good enough. i may mess around and see if i can get it on the same internet connection later.

grrr, i set a password on 98se for full access, but now it wont let me get rid of it.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

btw does that proksi program work under xp? was made in feb of 2000, says it supports 9x and NT.