[Chris - Thecleancar]

Hello
I have two PC one running XP Home SP2 and the other XP Pro SP2 I’m trying to set up a simple connection between the 2 so I can share Files, Printer and a Broadband Internet connection.
I’m using Ethernet cards and a RJ45 cable.
However the tray Icon shows an exclamation mark and shows ‘Limited or no connection’ When I look at Network Connections in Control Panel I see the same message in ‘Status’ this is the same on both PCs
My Computer / Properties / Computer Name shows both PC using the same Workgroup name
On the Host PC if I go to My Network Places / Entire network / Microsoft Windows Network / Workgroup I see the Host PC and its printer
On the Client PC I see nothing
Device manager shows no problems on either PC I’ve clicked ‘Repair’ but get the message That the action could not be completed because the following action could not be completed ‘Renewing your IP address’
I’ve tried for a couple of years to get a successful home network running with various PCs and Operating Systems but always seem to get the same message.
I’ve read your tutorial but perhaps I’m missing something – brain power probably!

Can you help please?

Thanks Chris

[Advertisements]

...are you connecting the computers DIRECTLY via ethernet cable ? (ethernet card to ethernet card?) if so you need a crossover cable...i personally would suggest either getting a cheap switch or a decent router as it will make this process easier all around...

[dsenette]

...are you connecting the computers DIRECTLY via ethernet cable ? (ethernet card to ethernet card?) if so you need a crossover cable...i personally would suggest either getting a cheap switch or a decent router as it will make this process easier all around...

[Chris - Thecleancar]

Hello

Thanks for your fast response - yes its a direct cable connection PC to PC
In truth I dont know if its a crossover cable is it possible to tell in some way - I suspect its not

Is this called a Cat 5E crossover cable or a twisted pair cable and are you saying that a direct cable is more difficult to set up and perhaps less reliable than a Switch or Router?

If I go for a 'Switch' exactly what piece of kit am I looking for. Sorry to ask the 'Idiot' question but am I right in thinking a 'Switch' is not a USB switch?.

A Router that would be a 'cable router' and the set up is as in your Networking tutorial with a USB connection to the Router from the Broadband modem and RJ45 cables to the Ethernet cards in the PCs (not crossover cables). With that can I enable Broadband, File and Printer sharing?

Thanks in advance - as usual I seem to produce more questions than answers

Regards Chris

[dsenette]

crossover cables are generally labeled as such on the cable itself.

IF you go for a switch you would be able to share files and the internet connection assuming your modem has an ethernet port (not the cleanest method)

with a router...you will be able to share the internet, and create a workgroup with your computers to share files and printers...in a MUCH easier fashion than the direct connect....
so yeah...with a router you'd just follow our handy dandy network tutorial and you'd be on your way

[Chris - Thecleancar]

Hi

Its labelled as a 'patch' cable - so its not what I need for the direct method

My Broadband Modem has a USB connection can that be used with the Router set up shown in your Tutorial?

Or should I go for an ADSL Router Modem which if I am reading adverts on the WWW correctly replaces the
Modem and connects direct to the Broadband enabled phone socket via an RJ11 cable

I've also seen the same with a USB connection


Thanks

Regards Chris

[dsenette]

this would be the best space saving method...as it's an adsl modem with a built in router...make sure that it's got enough ethernet ports to allow you to connect multiple computers in the future

[Chris - Thecleancar]

Hello again

I've now got a crossover cable but it doesn't seem to have made any difference - both PC connections still show 'Limited or no connection' and cant see each other
Can you help to get this "workgroup" working - I will eventually get a router but as my Broadband connection is scheduled to be upgraded in the next few months (which will then mean a new modem/router) I would like the direct cable connection to work until the upgrade.

Could this problem be caused by the Firewall if so how do I fix it - I'm using Zone alarm on both PCs

Thanks for your time

Regards Chris

[Tony_1983]

If using Zone Alarm please make sure that your TRUSTED ZONE is set you Meduim.

[dsenette]

turn zone alarm off....then use
start> run > cmd > ipconfig /all
on both machines to make sure that their ip's are in the same range

[Chris - Thecleancar]

Hi

If using Zone Alarm please make sure that your TRUSTED ZONE is set you Meduim.

Thanks Tony_1983 - Zone Alarm is set to Med for Trused Zone and High for Internet on both PCs

turn zone alarm off....then use
start> run > cmd > ipconfig /all
on both machines to make sure that their ip's are in the same range

Done this - ipconfig/all from C:\ no difference I'm afraid

[dsenette]

....are the ip's in the same range?....post the results from ipconfig /all for both machines

[Chris - Thecleancar]

Hi

If using Zone Alarm please make sure that your TRUSTED ZONE is set you Meduim.

Thanks Tony_1983 - Zone Alarm is set to Med for Trusted Zone and High for Internet on both PCs

turn zone alarm off....then use
start> run > cmd > ipconfig /all
on both machines to make sure that their ip's are in the same range

Thanks dsenette
Done this - ipconfig/all from C:\ - No difference I'm afraid

Ive tried to attach screenshots of the two ipconfig results but they will not attach - so below are copy/paste versions

I dont know what the "Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface:" or the "Tunnel adapter Automatic Tunneling Pseudo-Interface:" are only one Local area connection and one Broadband connection are shown in Network connections for the client PC (the Broadband one is used when the modem is connected to that PC so at present its shown as disconnected)
Thanks Chris

THIS ONE FROM THE HOST PC

C:\>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : dell
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 3:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme 57xx Gigabit Cont
roller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-11-11-AE-DE-96
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.241.22
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Bluetooth PAN Network Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-03-0D-00-00-01

PPP adapter BTopenworld Broadband:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-53-45-00-00-00
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 86.140.176.122
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 86.140.176.122
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 62.6.40.162
194.72.0.98

C:\>

THIS ONE FROM THE CLIENT PC

C:\>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : systemax
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : TE100-PCBUSR 32-Bit Cardbus PC Card
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-ED-7C-8C-09-29
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.220.167
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : fe80::2ed:7cff:fe8c:929%4
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1
fec0:0:0:ffff::2%1
fec0:0:0:ffff::3%1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : FF-FF-FF-FF-FF-FF-FF-FF
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : fe80::5445:5245:444f%5
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Automatic Tunneling Pseudo-Interface:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Automatic Tunneling Pseudo-Interface

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : A9-FE-DC-A7
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : fe80::5efe:169.254.220.167%2
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1
fec0:0:0:ffff::2%1
fec0:0:0:ffff::3%1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

C:\>

[Chris - Thecleancar]

Sorry half the message got 'lost' first time

Chris

[dsenette]

on computer 1
right click "my network places" > properties > right click the lan connection > properties > highlight tcp/ip > properties > set the ip address to 192.168.0.2 and the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0

on computer 2
right click "my network places" > properties > right click the lan connection > properties > highlight tcp/ip > properties > set the ip address to 192.168.0.3 and the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0

on computer 1
start > run > cmd > ping 192.168.9.3 do you get a response?

on computer 2
start > run > cmd > ping 192.168.9.2 do you get a response?

if you get a response to the ping on both computers...run the network setup wizard again on both computers

[Chris - Thecleancar]

Hello

I changed the settings as instructed on both PCs

The 'ping' form both PCs produced the message "Request timed out" 4 times on each
Did you mean the ping to read 192.168.9.3 and 192.168.9.2 or 192.168.0.3 and 192.168.0.2

Both 'Status' in Network connections now show 'connected'

Thanks Chris