Crossover questions

Simian · 17 Aug 2006 at 21:40

I've aquired a Crossover cable (don't ask!!) and thought I'd give it a go and see if I could connect my laptop to my desktop and share its broadband connection and move a few files back and forth!...

I'm unfortunatly a bit stumped!... I've connected both PC's together shared the internet connection (I think!?!) but both computers still say the network cable is unplugged!? :confused:

I've used the 'Search' and even Google to no avail!...

Can anyone point me at the difinative Crossover Cable Networking instructions or can anyone tell me how to get it working!...

And before anyone says 'Get a Router'...

I can't at the mo afford one!..

And thougt this would be a great way of transfering my music to my lapto to take on holiday!...

Any help is much appreciated!
Sim.

tolien · 17 Aug 2006 at 21:46

Tried checking both network interfaces are enabled and work and the cable works?

Simian · 17 Aug 2006 at 22:00

Apart from seeing both network cards in their respective 'Network Connections' folders (Both Realtek) how would I check??.. I've now else to connect to them!. :confused:

(n00b alert!!)

tolien · 17 Aug 2006 at 22:11

If you don't have anything else to connect to them, there isn't much you can do to make sure both interfaces work. Try another cable?

Deception · 17 Aug 2006 at 23:06

Tried using the windows network setup wizard, ive heard it actually works

Have you atleast put them on the same workgroup, so they can see eachother?

tolien · 17 Aug 2006 at 23:13

Workgroup (and to some extent the wizard) is irrelevant if the two machines think there's no cable in between.

bigredshark · 17 Aug 2006 at 23:57

first make sure the connections aren't disabled in windows, then plug in the cable and see if you get a link light on either machine, if not, odds on, your cable is either wrongly made or just really badly made

Deception · 18 Aug 2006 at 01:23

Edited

Justintime · 18 Aug 2006 at 02:29

Check both ends of the cable, if they match up colourwise then its not a crossover.

Simian · 19 Aug 2006 at 07:30

I now have a connection at 100Mbps over the crossover and I can now (for some reason) see both computers in the workgroup at both ends (Laptop and Desktop), but I cant access the laptop from the desktop and vice-versa!?! :confused:

It keeps telling me about Permissions!!...

Both Machines are running XP Home, the Laptop only has SP2 Firewall, but the Desktop has SP2 and ZoneAlarm...

Have I missed a setting/permission to enable me to access the Shares on each machine over the network!?!...

Deception · 19 Aug 2006 at 08:11

Have you enabled file and printer sharing on both computers and made the folders you want to access too are marked as shared. Also on ZoneAlarm, you "might" have to put the IP address of the other comp, into the trusted/internet zone, so it allows the connection too. I dunno about that though.

Simian · 19 Aug 2006 at 08:54

Yep... Yep and I'll have a look!... but the ZA thing won't stop me accessing the Lappy from me Desktop will it!?!?!.. :confused:

Thats only running SP2's Firewall

Deception · 19 Aug 2006 at 09:06

Simian said:
Yep... Yep and I'll have a look!... but the ZA thing won't stop me accessing the Lappy from me Desktop will it!?!?!.. Thats only running SP2's Firewall

I havent had much experienced with ZA really, but it might be seeing the connection as unauthorised, so wont let it connect.. So might have to stick the IP address in your self or something.

Simian · 19 Aug 2006 at 16:01

Well that got me (one way Laptop to Desktop) access to the 'Shared Documents' directory...

Now how do you get ICS working!?!... My Desktop has a 1mb connection and (for a shor time) thie poped up in the laptops Network connections!, but I couldn't get firefox (or IE) to connect using it!?!... :confused:

(Sorry for all the n00b questions)