Crossover Cables

[danielwong125]

I want to network two computers. Seems that using a crossover cable would be the cheapest and easiest way. I just have a few questions about using crossover cables: Is it really as easy as connecting it to both computers? Can I view the other computers contents? And, can I share an internet connection over it?

[Jimstep]

Welcome To SysOpt!

If both computers have an NIC, then the cross over cables will work. Sharing an internet connection will depending on the operating system you are running.

[BipolarBill]

It's never as easy as plugging in the cable, I'm afraid. I wish it was!

[danielwong125]

I'm running windows XP on one computer and ME on ther other. Can I view stuff on one computer from the other? can I share and internet connection? and what makes it more coplicated that just hooking the two computers together?

[BipolarBill]

They will work together if you:

1. are running no firewall
2. use the same workgroup name
3. logon to ME with Client for Microsoft Networks only
4. use a consistant User and password on ME and enter than user and password into XP
5. have unique names for each PC

When done, you right-click the connection in XP (assuming XP is the host) and select "Share this connection".

To share files, you must create shares.

Here's a guide:

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/howto/

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/troubleshoot/

[danielwong125]

is the reason that I can't have a firewall that it's too complicated to work around?
what is the purpose of a workgroup? what is Client for Mircosoft Networks? what is meant by "consistant User and password on ME and enter than user and password into XP"? (I have many questions:))

[BipolarBill]

Follow the links please. It's all there. There's no sense in me typing it again.

[danielwong125]

I got my computers comunicating over a crossover cable I built. I want to use internet sharing but AOL is my isp and am having dificulties. How do I fix this problem?

[BipolarBill]

Which PC has the dial-up connection?

[danielwong125]

I'm using DSL and the host computer is on winXP.

[BipolarBill]

You know that you must right-click the dial-up and select Sharing, I presume. Look here:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,2955736~root=aolplus~mode=flat

[danielwong125]

did I not just say that I am using dsl? and with aol it's not that simple, if it was I could just look up ICS in windows help.

[BipolarBill]

You didn't mention DSL until I asked, did you? Don't get short with me. If you didn't check Help first, you did both of us a disservice. You owe it to yourself to try and help yourself.

You must go into Properties for My Network Places (right-click) and then right-click your connection to AOL and select Share this Connection. If you are using a USB modem, you may have to do something else. You haven't told me what type of modem you have.

Once you use the Wizard for sharing, you set the other PC to "Automatically obtain an IP address" and restart it. You then use INETWIZ.EXE to set your Internet on the client PC to LAN.

That should do it.

[danielwong125]

I guess I didn't mention that... I thought I did though, at any rate, that's what I have.

I said that if it was as simple as looking it up in help, then I would have, but since the problem is that with aol, you cannot just go to connection properties, so that's what I need help with.

I am using a usb modem (although I could us ethernet if I felt like it, but I'm using the ethernet to connect to the other computer which is the whole point of this project).

How do I set the the other computer to "Automatically obtain an IP address"? and what is INETWIZ.exe? and how do I use it to set my computer to Internet on a LAN? (in case it matters, I am using a crossover cable, in case you've forgotten)

[BipolarBill]

Right-click My Network Places (on XP) and select Properties. What connections show there?

On Me/98, if you go to Control Panel > Network, you will see TCP/IP for your NIC. Hilite it and click Properties. There it is.

Click Start and Run on ME. Type INETWIZ.EXE and click OK. Select LAN all the way.

Oh...and the crossover makes no difference.

[BipolarBill]

By the way, you can install a 2nd network card for AOL if you like. You can also use a Cable/DSL router if you have Ethernet available for AOL. I recommend one of these courses.

[danielwong125]

I think that the connection is set to share now, but the connections are called Local Area Connection 5 and Local Area Connection.

After I go to the properties of my NIC, what do I do with them?

And I ran INETWIZ.exe and set it up, but am still not able to make a connection. (should I just be able to open up my browser and start surfing?)

I prefer to go with the cheapest solution, so the crossover cable seems to be the best solution.

[BipolarBill]

I prefer to go with the cheapest solution, so the crossover cable seems to be the best solution. What you save in dollars costs you(and me) in time. Always bear that in mind, since time is money.I think that the connection is set to share now, but the connections are called Local Area Connection 5 and Local Area Connection Right-click each connection to determine which is the USB modem. That is the one to share. Sharing the other is no good to you. The one with your NIC listed is not the one to share.After I go to the properties of my NIC, what do I do with them? Leave the NIC properties on XP alone. ICS handles that. Set Me to automatically obtain an address. On XP, make sure you run through the sharing Wizard. You can use the floppy it wants to make, but you shouldn't need it.

Now run INETWIZ again and try browsing. Call AOL anytime you feel like it. They may know something that I don't.

[danielwong125]

No success. Seems you are at the end of the line, so if you haven't anything else to say, I understand. Thanks for your help though, I really appreciate that you were amazingly fast in your response. Keep up the good work:)