Win98/Gaming networking issue with a 5-port switch

[mcp555]

Me and some friends have 4 computers all running Win 98 SE. We all have decent Fast Ethernet cards (2 3Com's, a Linksys, and a DFI)and a D-Link DSS+ switch. All lights show up green on the switch for all 4 connected computers, however one system can only use the uplink port. It won't connect via the regular ports. Also, we can't seem to get all 4 computers to show up on Network Neighborhood at the same time. TCP/IP protocol has been installed on all 4 computers, and the only thing I changed in the TCP/IP settings are the IP address and the gateway mask, which starts as follows: 10.0.0.1, 10.0.0.3, 10.0.0.5., and 10.0.0.7. Gateway mask is set at 255.255.255.0. Also, whenever I try to run UT (all systems running 4.32) to set up a LAN game, no one can see the server (regardless of who is the server). I can ping any of the systems when they're visible on the network (usually 1ms or less)Any ideas? The guy who can only run on the uplink port has a homemade Ethernet cable. It's been tested with a cable tester though and it passed. Everyone else has premade ones with molded connectors.

 

[spidey07]

1) get rid of the homemade cable now, might be cross over. Alway use store bought patch cables, especially if doing 100 base-t
2) network neighboorhood - ensure all computer names contain only alpha numberic characters no longer than 14 long. all names are unique, all in the same workgroup. Make sure you "login" to windows, otherwise you won't participate in browsing.
3) all NICS should be set to auto-detect speed and duplex

don't know about the UT server. Try manually entering the IP address of the server and connecting.

spidey

 

[mcp555]

1)ok we'll give that a try. never considered that before (the crossover thing)
2)everything is ok with that.
3)everything is ok with that too.

 

[chibimike]

1. The homemade cable may be a crossover.
Look at the the two ends.
Each wire in the cable is color coded.
If both ends have the same order of color coding it is not a cross over.

2. Which address is the address of the machine that is giving problems?
Is it 10.0.0.1?
If it is, make it 10.0.0.2.
The accepted standard for a 255.255.255.0 network is that x.x.x.1 would be the router for that network. There is no reason that x.x.x.1 can't work, but maybe your switch is doing something strange and assuming that x.x.x.1 is the router and thus needs to be on the uplink port.

mike

 

[mcp555]

I'll look at the connectors when he gets back in today. His room is locked up right now. Thanks for the suggestions.

UT is running between me and one of the other guys. I installed the IPX protocol on my system and had the others do it too. One has an ancient graphics card so he's not running it and the third is having problems getting UT not to crash. We can all see each other now and share files so that's good. Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[cavingjan]

While IPX will help with the network and file sharing, it will not help with the games with the except of some old games like Diablo 1. Start small again and work up. Someone is messing up something. Doesn't the Linksys require another protocol to be run along with the TCP/IP? I vaguely recall someone stating this but I'm probably just old, senile, and forgetful. Plus I've been sitting in ASTM standards meetings all day long.