Question

[DaveB.]

Before I begin I would like to tell all of you that I'm new at this, so though my questions may sound stupid, bear with me. :)

Ok, I'd like to network my two computers together. One is using Windows 95 and the other is using Windows XP. I'd like to do this using Ethernet.

First of all, I'd like to know the equipment I need. Both computers have networks cards and I have an Ethernet cable. Do I need a hub or can I just connect them both using the Ethernet cable? Remember I just want to network two computers.

Thanks


Dave B.

[vothweirdon]

If you just want the 2 connected you can buy a Cross Over cable and connect them directly. You will need to assign them IP address (192.168.1.10 and 192.168.1.20 -or anything like that, they just need to be unique) give them a subnet 255.255.255.0 and you should be good to go. You will not need a default route nor a DNS address if these machines are not going to connect to the internet. Also, both machines must have unique names.

If your going to connect them at some time to the internet, I suggest getting a low cost router (linksys, SMS, etc) and get them set up using DHCP from the router (then down the road when you want to go broadband all you have to do is plug the modem into the router and your on the net)

Also, if you want to share files, you will need to share the directories (basic windows stuff) and I would connect to them by IP address (Win95 machine = 192.168.1.10 you would connect from the XP machine \\192.168.1.10\sharename)

Another thing when sharing files, make sure you have the same username on both machines, windows will try to attach using the currently logged in user (helps going to the Win9x side)

If you just going for gaming, then the IP address should do the trick with the cross over cable.

Hope this helps.

Voth Weirdon

[DaveB.]

Thanks for your response but it's telling me that it's unplugged and I have no idea why.

Here’s a screenshot: http://www.freewebz.com/webdev02/shot1.JPG

[vothweirdon]

Did you get a Cross Over cable? A standard Cat5 cable will not work, it needs to be a cross over or you use a hub/switch.

Voth Weirdon

[rock]

in XP, when you have the "network cable unplugged" error, you can just change the settings of your network card. go to your local area connection properties, you will see the adapter that you're using and then click on the configure button. go to the advanced tab and then under "Property", select "Connection/Media type". try to change the value to 10baseT or 10half mode/duplex. that should already work. if it doesn't, try to change the cable.

[DaveB.]

Ok, it seems I'm using the wrong kind of cable. Would the following cable work? Just want to make sure it does, before I buy it.

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=50127068


Thanks

[vothweirdon]

Yes, that cable is what you need!

Voth

[DaveB.]

I've connected the two computers using the crossover cable, gave them IP address and everything seems to be working fine. I've enjoyed sharing files and playing games over this new connection. Thanks for all your help vothweirdon. I probably would have wasted my time trying to network the computers with the wrong kind of cable.