PDA

View Full Version : How do I link 2 computers together


Flea
11-29-2005, 09:39 AM
so I can share files between them?

stevan
11-29-2005, 09:43 AM
dont you need a router and two either (eather, im not sure how to spell that) net cables, you can share files between them, you just need to move the file on "computer A" to the shared area then copyi it from there to "computer B"

Enforcer
11-29-2005, 10:44 AM
You will need both computers to have network cards installed in them, a crossover cable (CAT5). Ensure both computers are turned off. Connect one end of the crossover cable to the network card in computer 1 (it does not matter which end). Connect the other end of the crossover cable to the network card in computer 2. Turn both computers on (it does not matter which one you turn on first). Log onto Windows as you normally do. Wait until both computers have fully loaded Windows and all startup programs, job done.

jmyler
11-29-2005, 11:10 AM
You will need both computers to have network cards installed in them, a crossover cable (CAT5). Ensure both computers are turned off. Connect one end of the crossover cable to the network card in computer 1 (it does not matter which end). Connect the other end of the crossover cable to the network card in computer 2. Turn both computers on (it does not matter which one you turn on first). Log onto Windows as you normally do. Wait until both computers have fully loaded Windows and all startup programs, job done.

yea thats the easiest and cheapest way. have to stress crossover cable though, most cat 5's aren't cross over cables. the definition of cross over cable is the first wire(i think red maybe wrong) is the last wire on the other side of the other cable, and vis versa. once you have that and the cards in and you boot both computers you have to share whatever files it is that you want to share. you can do that by right clicking then properties and share properties. turn sharing on and you are good to go.

Flea
12-01-2005, 11:41 AM
I got a crossover cable, and my 2 computers are hooked up together, but its still not working :(

The N3v3rmind
12-01-2005, 02:47 PM
Did you run the network wizard?

Flea
12-04-2005, 03:34 PM
Did you run the network wizard?

Yes, on both computers. Nothing is working, PLEASE HELP!

The N3v3rmind
12-04-2005, 03:54 PM
Yeah, the famous oxymoron, Microsoft Networking.

Did you connect it to the right port?

Flea
12-04-2005, 03:56 PM
Yeah, the famous oxymoron, Microsoft Networking.

Did you connect it to the right port?

What do you mean? I put the cord in the right place?

The N3v3rmind
12-04-2005, 04:00 PM
Yes. I think there are 2 holes, internet and networking. It all depends on whether you have an internal modem or not.

Flea
12-04-2005, 04:05 PM
Yes. I think there are 2 holes, internet and networking. It all depends on whether you have an internal modem or not.

I only have 1 ethernet port on each computer

The N3v3rmind
12-04-2005, 04:18 PM
Ok then it can't be wrong. Are they Windows XPs?

Flea
12-04-2005, 04:21 PM
Ok then it can't be wrong. Are they Windows XPs?

Yep, they both have XP.

F34R
12-04-2005, 04:46 PM
Go into your network connections via control panel. Then right click on the LAN connection and go to properties. Click on the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and click Properties.

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/6688/lan2ap.png (http://imageshack.us)
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/5993/lanprop5kg.th.png (http://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lanprop5kg.png)
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/2908/tcpip1pz.th.png (http://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tcpip1pz.png)
Make sure both of them are using the same workgroup, and both are set to obtain the IP automatically. If that doesnt work, set your HOST computer at 192.168.0.1 and the other computer at 192.168.0.2.

Let me know if that helps. If not, we'll go into something else.

Flea
12-04-2005, 05:19 PM
I'll go try this now. thanks.

Flea
12-04-2005, 05:25 PM
I did the IP thing, but how do I find out if they are in the same work group?

F34R
12-04-2005, 05:35 PM
Right-click on My Computer and choose the Computer Name tab.
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3779/workgroup2ar.th.png (http://img228.imageshack.us/my.php?image=workgroup2ar.png)

Flea
12-04-2005, 05:37 PM
They both have different names, and the same workgroup.

F34R
12-04-2005, 05:53 PM
Make sure you have File and Printer sharing installed. You can find that in the same place you checked for the IP address. Can either computer see eachother on the network ?

In the IP portion try setting one computer to the 192.168.0.1 adn the other to 192.168.0.2, both the subnet mask portions should be set at 255.255.255.0 (for both computers). Then make sure file and priner sharing is installed.

Flea
12-04-2005, 06:17 PM
When it asked me in the network wizard, I picked enable print and file sharing.

I cant get the computers to see eachother.

F34R
12-04-2005, 06:26 PM
Can you post a close up picture of the cable ends ? Are you sure it's a crossover cable and not a straight-through cable ?

Flea
12-04-2005, 07:24 PM
Can you post a close up picture of the cable ends ? Are you sure it's a crossover cable and not a straight-through cable ?

I bought the cable at compUSA specifically for this. This is the exact cable I bought.

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=289965&pfp=SEARCH

F34R
12-04-2005, 07:28 PM
That certainly is the right cable. Hmm... have you tried setting the IP and subnet mask manually ?

Flea
12-04-2005, 07:40 PM
That certainly is the right cable. Hmm... have you tried setting the IP and subnet mask manually ?

they're both already set.

Flea
12-04-2005, 07:40 PM
Just come over my house and set it up for me :P

F34R
12-04-2005, 07:44 PM
Lol. On the way ! I dont understand why it isnt working. Unless the cable is faulty (unlikely). Go through the network wizard again, and make sure the HOST has the 192.168.0.1 IP, and the other has the 0.2. IP.

Check to make sure they arent actually seeing eachother. I am not doubting you, but I am just going back over this stuff. Click on My Computer, in the left pane, click My Network Places, then click on View Workgroup Computers.

Flea
12-04-2005, 07:50 PM
I've done all this, but I'll try to do it again.

F34R
12-04-2005, 07:58 PM
Also, make sure your ethernet cards are enabled. I know my mobo has onboard gigabit ethernet and the "card" came off by default. I'm sure if you were able to set the IP manually, the cards are fine. Just another suggestion.

Other than that, I can't think of anything other than the cable that could be keeping the puters from connecting.

DOH !

If you have IPX/SPX installed, remove it. You'll find that in the same place where you saw TCP/IP.

Flea
12-04-2005, 08:08 PM
All of this stuff checks out too.

F34R
12-04-2005, 08:11 PM
Grrr. Do you have any way of testing the cable ? You know you can get a small hub for $10-$15, and that would solve all your problems. A little 4 port ethernet hub would do the trick. Just plug both computers into it, and booyah. You'll need two straight-through cables, usually black or blue in color.

Flea
12-04-2005, 08:15 PM
Is there any other way? I'm trying to spend as ittle money as possible. I already had to spend $10 on that cable ;x

The N3v3rmind
12-04-2005, 08:21 PM
This happened to me when I was trying to network too...I never did fix it.

F34R
12-04-2005, 08:40 PM
I cant think of any other steps that we've missed. I even did it here with my laptop and a home-made crossover cable. It worked fine for me. Are both computers up to date on patches etc. ?

Flea
12-04-2005, 09:01 PM
I cant think of any other steps that we've missed. I even did it here with my laptop and a home-made crossover cable. It worked fine for me. Are both computers up to date on patches etc. ?

Should be. I always install the updates when windows tells me to ;x

F34R
12-05-2005, 03:24 AM
If both PCs are showing that the cable is plugged in, and you've followed the steps that we've gone through, it should all be working.

Flea
12-05-2005, 06:17 AM
If both PCs are showing that the cable is plugged in, and you've followed the steps that we've gone through, it should all be working.

It SHOULD be, but it's not :cry:

Dr3vil
12-12-2005, 09:57 PM
I'm not to good with this stuff but maybe if you have a hub.. or you could use a USB connector... if the CAT5 cables arent working

F34R
12-13-2005, 03:08 AM
The point was to get the computers to communicate without her spending any more money on it. It should be working, but for whatever reason it isnt. One of the adapters could be the problem, or the cable itself. We've gone through virtually every step that I can think of. I even pulled out another PC and did the exact setup, and it worked fine. Short of getting a hub, or swapping out cables and cards, there isnt much else to do.