win2k peer network doesn't work

[gelos]

I'm trying to connect two win2k computers together and then both to the internet. The computer connected to the internet has two network connections set up. One for the internet and the other going to the other computer.

As far as I know the settings are ok, workgroup, tcp/ip and whatnot. But it doesn't seem to matter because the second computer doesn't think the cable is even plugged in. I know the cable is good and I know the NIC is good. When I type ipconfig it tells me:

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 2:
Media State..............: Cable Disconnected

Any thoughts?

 

[Marqui]

does your nic have any type of led's ?

also what about the hub? led status of those as well?

 

[gelos]

I'm not using a hub, but the NIC does have LEDs and they don't come on when I have the two computers directly connected to each other. When I plug the second computer into my cable modem, the LEDs come on.

It's really acting like it doesn't have anything plugged in at all. It doesn't make any sense. Could it be some sort of weird hardware incompatiblity?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, I'm just about to go back to 98 on both of them.

 

[obenton]

Crossover cable?

 

[Zach]

obenton beat me to it, so I'll elaborate.

You have to use a crossover cable when connecting two PC's directly. Those cables cross and recieve and transmit wires, so the cards can talk without a hub.

 

[gelos]

So I'm assuming crossover cable = hub? Or are they two separate things but serve the same purpose? I'm not familiar hubs and switchs but not with cross over cables so much.

Thanks for all the help btw, I was about to hit the computer with a hammer. I'm doing all of this at my brother's house which is 800 miles from mine. So it's not like I've had a lot of time and I need to finish it before I leave Monday morning.

 

[nullshark]

Right, a hub connects several computers together using patch (straight) cables, whereas using a crossover cable allows you to connect two (and only two) computers together.

As Zach mentioned, without a crossover cable (if you just use a straight cable) the transmitter of one computer will be trying to talk to the transmitter of the other computer (instead of the receiver) which will mean the second computer will hear nothing. Simplified but straightforward, I hope.

 

[gelos]

That makes a lot of sense to me. Now I'm a bit irritated at myself for not knowing that. This is why I like these forums so much. I know if I have a question I can always come here for help.
Thanks everyone.
Now I'm going to bed to sleep off all of the St. Patrick's day alcohol I drank tonight.