connecting two computers with cat 5 crossover cable

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tom Harvey
  • Start date Start date
T

Tom Harvey

Hello,
I am trying to connect a laptop and desktop via and Ethernet crossover cable
with no success. My laptop showed a warning symbol and some kind of
statement about partial functionality, but that was about it. Both
computers are running XP home edition SP2. I have tried the network setup
wizard but can't get that to work, and I have found some methods by
searching the web, but the steps they mention do not seem to apply to XP, or
at least the methods they describe to make the setups are different than
what I can find on my computers.

I found the following in article KB278870:

"Microsoft Networking is based on the Ethernet 802.3 standard (Carrier Sense
Multiple Access with Collision Detection). The Ethernet 802.3 standard does
not specifically forbid the use of crossover cables, but the implementation
of crossover cables is beyond the scope of the standard.
Microsoft will make every reasonable effort to assist you in troubleshooting
home or peer-to-peer networking issues. However, if you use crossover cables
when you configure your home or peer-to-peer network, Microsoft does not
guarantee that issues will be resolved."

That does not sound to encouraging, however, the book "Windows XP Inside
Out" has a paragraph that says using crossover cables can work but they do
not go into detail on how to accomplish it.

Can someone lead me to information that gives a step by step process for
setting up this type of connection that can be followed with XP Home SP2?

TIA,
Tom
 
It is correct to use a crossover cable between two computers. First make
sure it is a crossover cable. Check the RJ45 ends. Normally the
orange-white and white-orange or reversed on the other end with the
green-white and white-green. This site gives a pretty good explanation with
diagrams - http://www.duxcw.com/digest/Howto/network/cable/cable5.htm . On
the other hand if you throw a hub into the mix then you want a regular
network cable ( same on both ends ). The Network Setup Wizard should do the
job if you have a good cable.
 
Ras,
The cable is really a crossover cable both according to the packaging, and I
can see the color swapping you describe. I have tried the Network Setup
Wizard three times with no success, and I have tried it running the wizard
first on the host or on the guest first. Either order fails.

Tom
 
I just did this between 2 Inspiron 1200/2200 laptops. The hangup
was that you had to configure manual IP addresses at each end
(192.1.1.1 and 192.1.1.2 work)

Control Panel
Network Connections
Local Area Connection
Internet Protocol
Properties
Use the following IP address
192.1.1.1 and 2
Subnet Mask
255.0.0.0

Disable all firewalls

Enable File Sharing on My Documents at both ends

Even easier is install IPX protocol and use that (paste from suggestion I got)
and avoid the address hassle and firewall problem altogether

1.. Click Start, Control Panel.
2.. Double-click Network Connections.
3.. Right-click the local area connection, and select PROPERTIES.
4.. In Local Area Network Properties, general tab, click Install.
5.. In Select Network Component Type, click Protocol, and then click Add.
6.. Click NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol, click OK,
and then click Close.
7.. In Network Connections, on the Advanced menu, click Advanced Settings.
8.. On the Adapters and Bindings tab, under Connections, click the local
area
9.. Under Bindings for Local Area Connection, under File and Print Sharing
for Microsoft Networks, clear the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) check box, and
then click OK.
 
Ron,
I think you are on to a major part of my problem. I had read elsewhere that
the two computers had to have the same IP address except for the number
after the last .(dot). The Network Setup Wizard did not accomplish that,
and I was unable to figure out how the change the IP address. Well, I
probably could have stumbled on the sequence you gave me, but I was afraid
of screwing around with things I know little about.

Thanks to all for your help. I think I have enough suggestions now to
overcome my problem, or at least keep me busy for a while. Once I
accomplish the networking the next question will be: is there a way to
configure the firewall so that it is active on my internet connection but
not on the crossover cable? Perhaps I will need to buy another firewall
program if the XP firewall leaves me vulnerable or just turn the firewall
off when I have the laptop hooked up.

Thanks to all for your help.

Tom Harvey
 
Try This:

PC # 01 Desktop:
IP Address: 192.168.1.2
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.1

PC # 02 Laptop:
IP Address: 192.168.1.3
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.1

Preferred DNS and Alternate DNS should be left blank.

HTH
 
Try This:

PC # 01 Desktop:
IP Address: 192.168.1.2
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.1

PC # 02 Laptop:
IP Address: 192.168.1.3
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.1

Preferred DNS and Alternate DNS should be left blank.
Click to expand...

The gateway on both computers should be left blank - since there is no
192.168.1.1 device (as this is a cross-over setup), the gateway has to
be a real device (like setting both to 192.168.1.2) or not entered at
all.
 
I like to ener the gateway so that when you use a hub for whatever
reasons then you don't need to change anything. Just cable properly and
voila!
 
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