Etruscan
08-08-2001, 12:04 AM
I am trying to connect two computers with 10' of cable by the parallel ports. I don't have any network cards other than modems in either computer. As the cheapest way to share a file between two computers, I thought I would use the Windows program: Direct Cable Connection.
I have gone through the trouble shooting procedure that Windows provides in the program. Here is how it went. Maybe someone can spot an error.
1. I have the computers properly configured one host (the one that has the file I want to share) and the other guest (the one I want to download to)
2. Sharing is enabled on both computers.
3. The file I want to share is marked for sharing through My Computer ... sharing with a hand icon and password configured.
4. IPX/SPX protocol is loaded on both computers in the network options.
5. The boxes are checked in 'dialup adapter' binding the IPX/SPX protocol to the adapter.
6. ECP (extended capabilities port) is enabled in both BIOS.
Finally, the last in Windows check list: do you have the right cable? This what I am beginning to seriously doubt.
Windows says, for a parallel connection, you must have:
a) Standard or Basic 4-bit cable, Laplink or Interlink.
b) ECP cable (extended capabilities port)
c) UCM cable (universal connection module)
I don't know what kind of cable I have. It looks like the printer cable only it doesn't have the the kind terminal that will fit in the parallel port of printer (the push in terminal in a standard parallel port on the back of a printer). Instead it has two male connectors on either end the same as the computer end of the printer cable. Thus, one is able to connect the parallel ports of the two computers.
I checked the pins with a meter to see if all the pins were wired before I hooked it up. Each pin is continuous with its opposite number on the other end the cable and isolated from ground. In other words, 25 pins wired straight through from end to end with no cross overs, grounds or commons. I don't know if it is shielded, probably not. So, it just connects the parallel ports exactly matching each pin on the opposite port and providing continuity.
Is that enough? Or do the cable types listed above have devices wired inside the connector that you can't see? Oddly enough, the bag it was in had SERIAL stamped on it. Nevertheless, it should work, right? It is connecting the ports up. That should be all that's needed. However, it doesn't work. Help!
One last bit of business. I tryed logging on with Windows Log On activated, then Client for Microsoft Networks, and finally booted up with Client for Netware Networks active. None of these changes helped.
I have gone through the trouble shooting procedure that Windows provides in the program. Here is how it went. Maybe someone can spot an error.
1. I have the computers properly configured one host (the one that has the file I want to share) and the other guest (the one I want to download to)
2. Sharing is enabled on both computers.
3. The file I want to share is marked for sharing through My Computer ... sharing with a hand icon and password configured.
4. IPX/SPX protocol is loaded on both computers in the network options.
5. The boxes are checked in 'dialup adapter' binding the IPX/SPX protocol to the adapter.
6. ECP (extended capabilities port) is enabled in both BIOS.
Finally, the last in Windows check list: do you have the right cable? This what I am beginning to seriously doubt.
Windows says, for a parallel connection, you must have:
a) Standard or Basic 4-bit cable, Laplink or Interlink.
b) ECP cable (extended capabilities port)
c) UCM cable (universal connection module)
I don't know what kind of cable I have. It looks like the printer cable only it doesn't have the the kind terminal that will fit in the parallel port of printer (the push in terminal in a standard parallel port on the back of a printer). Instead it has two male connectors on either end the same as the computer end of the printer cable. Thus, one is able to connect the parallel ports of the two computers.
I checked the pins with a meter to see if all the pins were wired before I hooked it up. Each pin is continuous with its opposite number on the other end the cable and isolated from ground. In other words, 25 pins wired straight through from end to end with no cross overs, grounds or commons. I don't know if it is shielded, probably not. So, it just connects the parallel ports exactly matching each pin on the opposite port and providing continuity.
Is that enough? Or do the cable types listed above have devices wired inside the connector that you can't see? Oddly enough, the bag it was in had SERIAL stamped on it. Nevertheless, it should work, right? It is connecting the ports up. That should be all that's needed. However, it doesn't work. Help!
One last bit of business. I tryed logging on with Windows Log On activated, then Client for Microsoft Networks, and finally booted up with Client for Netware Networks active. None of these changes helped.