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stupid network question

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12 replies

by iebfr14

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We have an XP home machine and a dsl modem connection. We tried to network using a linksys switch. We installed a second network card in the xp machine then plugged the network cable from the DSL modem into the original card that was originally plugged into the linksys switch. The dsl cable was originally plugged into it. Now we get a message network cable unplugged. Why are we doing this you may ask. We were using sygate software to run our home net and it was fine with one network card and every thing plugged into the switch. Then the sygate software stopped working and boom no internet. We decided to use the ICS in XP and I read the doc. It said we need two Network cards. So here I am. Is this wrong? we have the DSL cable plugged into the DSL modem. Out of it comes a short network cable into the original network card. A network cable out from the new network card to the Linksys switch. The new card shows up in network places fine but the card that is now hooked to the DSL modem shows that it is not plugged in. Where do all these crazy wires go and how do I get this thing to work????????????

12 replies

by thechas

Personally, I would forget about the 2nd network card, and the existing switch.

I would connect the DSL modem directly to a Linksys (or other brand) DSL/Cable Router.

Then, setup the router, (it will act as a 4 port switch) as your primary network and DSL hub.

XP home does not have a full set of networking features built into it.

Further, with your existing setup, the XP PC would need to be on any time any other PC needed to access the internet.

Chas

by iebfr14

Really don't want to go out and buy a router right now. And it would appear that I have what I need already. I just need to know the proper hook-ups. Having the xp up is not a problem.

by carlosrod

Hi, First you only need 1 nic not 2. Plug the dsl modem into your wall jack rj-11. plug the dsl modem into the uplink port on your network hub, rj-45. use the software for sharing by 2 or more pc's. if this is aol, it will not work. check tcp/ip on properties, should be on auto. you should have an ip of 192.168.0.1 or close to that.
close out any firewalls or virus protections before installing and then enable them. do not use any proxy's. did you use xp's wizard on networking. it does a good job.

by iebfr14

It turns out the 2 nic's work the way the xp doc says. There was a third network hardware on the motherboard. XP was trying to use it.

by iebfr14

Carlosrod - AOL is not involved (thankfully). What software for sharing did you mean? Not the Sygate software it went down and is non-funtional and sygate is being no help. I was trying to use the network wizard with one nic but was getting an error and the network wizard would stop. That is when I read doc. on microsoft site and it said I needed two nic's. Does using the uplink port on the switch remove the need for two nic's?

by trackhappy

Gotta get back to basics. Sounds like you may need a cross-over cable. Switches are designed to have a NIC plugged in, not another switch (And the DSL modem is the same). A crossover turns a Guy into a Gal, so to speak, so they are compatible (ummmm, well maybe :)). Some switches have a cross-over port or a switch to select cross-over on one port. Also be aware that on those that have a crossover port, you can usually not use one of the ports which is associated with the crossover at the same time. Either that, or you need to set the link speed in the NIC properties, as two devices can sometimes not settle on a speed. They may keep negotiating back and forth from 10 to 100MB, full to half duplex etc.
Good luck.

by iebfr14

That's not the problem here. I am trying to plug the DSL modem into one of the nic's and it keeps saying the cable is not plugged in if I do it that way.

by greybeard770

Is there a crossover cable involved? YOu need a straight through cable from the modem to the computer and another one from the computer to the switch (NOT to a uplink port).

Chas has the best idea - forget all this and go with the router. A NetGear RP614 will cost you less than $70 and your problems are over.

by iebfr14

It turns out the 2 nic's work the way the xp doc says. There was a third network hardware on the motherboard. XP was trying to use it.

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