"Jason Hamilton" said:
I am trying to set up a P2P network via CAT5 Ethernet from
my desktop to my laptop. Both of the NIC cards are
working and the hardware device manager doesn't report any
problems. I have set up both systems so that their IP
addresses are 10.1.1.1 and 10.1.1.2 and both use
255.255.255.0 as the subnet mask. They are in the same
workgroup. However, in the My Network Places ->
Properties window on both computers it says that the
network cable is unplugged. I have tested the cable with
another network and it is fine. What else could be
wrong? Thanx.
Yours,
Jason Hamilton
Don't take that message literally. It really means that XP can't
detect a live link to another device, such as a computer, hub, switch,
or router. That could be for many reasons. I suspect that it's #5:
1. The network cable really is unplugged.
2. The network cable is defective.
3. It's plugged in, but there's nothing connected to the other end.
4. It's plugged in and connected on both ends, but the device on the
other end isn't turned on.
5. The cable is the wrong type. Connecting two computers directly,
without a hub, switch, or router, requires a crossover cable. A
regular cable won't work.
6. The cable is connected to the uplink port on a hub, switch, or
router, instead of a regular port.
7. Some hubs, switches, and routers disable the port next to the
uplink port when the uplink port is in use.
8. The network card driver program isn't working right. Download and
install the latest XP-compatible driver from the manufacturer's web
site.
9. The network card is configured to automatically sense speed and
duplex settings but isn't doing it correctly. Set those options
manually, as shown here:
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/troubleshoot/networkcard.htm
10. The operating system is turning off the network card to save
power. Disable the power saving option in the network card's
properties.
11. You're using a phone line network adapter and there isn't a second
computer, with a similar adapter, running and connected to the same
phone line.
12. You've disabled the radio on a wireless network adapter.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)
Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.
Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com