Are you cabling them to each other? To do that you need a crossover cable. Better solution is a cheap hub.

You will need a 'crossover cable' to connect the two computers if you are not using a hub or a router. A plain straight-through cable will not work.

IP addresses are set in the TCP/IP setting section of the network configuration, but the details depend on which OS you're using.

Jim

HI,

From what I red, an CAT5 ethernet cabel is crossover, is that correct?

I did much research last night (till 2am) and apparenly I should be able to hook my two computers with just a cable but there is no step by step guide.

I am running Win XP on both machines. I know how to bring up the TCP/IP properties in the network connection but I just don't know what to set the values to. Please help.

Start here how to make a crossover cable [littlewhitedog.com] then here from Microsoft [support.microsoft.com]

I have already bought a cable.

Set one machine's IP address to 192.168.0.1

Set the other machine's IP address to 192.168.0.2

Set the subnet mask on both to 255.255.255.0
(The following two steps won't apply if both machines connect to the internet using dial-up.)

In the machine not connected directly to the internet, set the other machine's IP address as the gateway address.

On both machines, set the DNS server addresses to those provided by your ISP, or to 'automatic' if your ISP so specifies.

Go into System Properties on both machines, and make sure they are set to be in the same-named workgroup.

Turn on file and printer sharing on both machines (if desired)

Configure the firewall on both machines to allow file and printer sharing on the LAN ethernet ports only.

I probably forgot something, but that should get you started.

Jim

Hi,

My modem has ip address 168.192.1.1

My desktop has two network cards. One card connects to the modem. This card has a fixed IP address 168.192.1.2. The default gateway is 168.192.1.1

The other card has fixed IP address 168.192.1.3 and the default gateway is 168.192.1.1

On my lattop, the IP address is 168.192.1.4 and the default gateway is 168.192.1.1

Somehow I dont think this is correct because the laptop and network card no 2 CANNOT see default gateway/modem.

The laptop cannot surf the web or share folders in the desktop.

-------------------------------------------------
Both computers are in the same workgroup. If I don't configure the laptop or network card no 2, they are assigned a diffrent set of IP addresses. The laptop can see Shared folder the desktop but the desktop cannot see shared folders in the laptop. Could this be a password thing?

You'll also need to enable 'internet connection sharing' on the desktop.

You might find it easier to just run the "Network Setup Wizard" on both machines.

Also, you should use the non-routable 192.168.x.x address range if the "168.192.x.x" addresses you typed above are the actual addresses that are configured.

Jim

[edited by: jdMorgan at 12:07 am (utc) on Nov. 19, 2007]

Hi Jim

On my desktop, on network card no 1 (that is connected to the DSL modem), I right click, Properties, Advanced, "Allow other network users to connect through this computer''s internet connection" is already checked.

"You might find it easier to just run the "Network Setup Wizard" on both machines."
I did that on the desktop, no problem. I also did that on the laptop, it just goes through without allowing me to pick hich computer I want to connect to

I've set the IP address on both machines.

For some reason, my laptop is not detecting the desktop. When i run the network setup wizard, it's doesn't come up with this step "Do you want to use the shared connection?"

This is possible - I've done it several times but it can be a pain.

If you have ZoneAlarm (or similar installed) switch it off and disconnect from the internet.

Check your IP addresses are 192.168.ddd.ddd (you wrote 168.192... above) and also the subnet mask is 255.255.255.0

Ensure that the protocols "Client for Microsoft Networks" and "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" are both ticked on both computers (for each network adapater).

In Explorer on computer_1 type in \\computer_2_name\ and cross your fingers. If that doesn't work try it the other way around. If that doesn't work, make sure that at least one resource is shared on each computer and try again. If that doesn't work, go away, have a coffee and try again in five minutes - for some reason I have never fathomed, direct connections can be slow to activate.

Assuming it is now working, if necessary, reactivate ZoneAlarm on each computer and enter the IP addresses part of the "trusted zone". Hopefully, it will continue to work.

Kaled.

Hi kaled,

I managed to get this working ut at a cost. I have two network cards, A and B.

When I plug the DSL modem cable to card B and connet the laptop to A, internet and VoIP works but the laptop cannot get a connection.

When I swap the cables over, I get the network to work but VoIP drops out. It's been very frustrating.

I rang the tech help desk and it was determined the cale was not suitable. so i use the cable that came with the modem to connect the pc and laptop and now everythng works.

...deleted

hi guys,

I have a black cable with nothing written on it, how do I know what type of cable is it?

Assuming it has clear plastic plugs, you can identify crossover cables by looking at the insulation colors of the individual conductors. The pattern of colors will differ at each end on crossover cables (but bear in mind that striped insulation is used).

Kaled.

Tis afternoon, I made numerous phone calls and finally sorted tis out. I rang the network card manufacturer. They told me I had to use CAT 5 or CAT5e cross over.

I looked at the packaging of the cable that I bought, it says CAT 5e. I simply assumed it was cross over, until i later checked the receipt, it was a patch cable. The idiot in the shop gave me the wrong cable after I told him exactly what i wanted to do. So I jumped on ebay and bought a Cat 5 crossover cable.

I am really new at this, I have learnt so much this week. Thank you for teachig me.