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Home networking problem

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by kmerrillt

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I am running 2 systems, one with windows98 and one with windows ME. I installed a NIC in each system (both the same). One system already has a NIC that I use for a cable modem for internet service. After installing 2 new NICs for home networking, the cards are functioning properly and drivers are installed. (I checked both NICs with my cable modem). Problem: I have no connection between computers and the leds do not light up. From what I understand from many networkers, is that when I plug the crossover cable in to both NICs I should have a connection even without the drivers, and the LEDs should light up. I'm not getting anything. Do I have to make changes in the system that is already using a NIC for the internet service? I.E. Bios or IRQ. I've run out of ideas here. Everyone says that I don't need a hub or anything else.

9 replies

by computechie

Network cards light up when 2 conditions are met, 1) they have power and are initialized 2) when they have a connection to another NIC, hub, etc. If you want both computers to use your cable modem, the best way to set it up is to use a hub, plug thecable modem into the uplink, and use two of the regular ports for the computers themselves. This way both can be used on the internet at the same time, and you can share files between the two computers. The way you have it set up, the computer that connects to the cable modem would have to be running for the other to access the internet. I'm guessing that your problem is the computer that has 2 network cards, for both to work, they both have to be initialized and setup to do a specific function. Win98 or WinME probably don't have support for 2 NIC's, although Win2000 does, and you could configure a NAT setup between your computers. If when you get this all setup, if you want to share files between your computers, use the following protocols: TCP/IP, NetBEUI, and Microsoft File and Print Sharing, and you can access all the stuff on your other computers that are shared. I hope this helps you out without confusing you, if you need more help, email me: computechie99@yahoo.com and i'll help you out some more.

by kmerrillt

I only want to use networking between two computers. The criteria for networking is setup. (Client for MS)(Shared)(Netbieu)(TCP/IP)

by mckaytech

Windows98 only supports Internet Connection Sharing if you have 2nd Edition (Win98SE) but WindowsME does support it so you're okay as long as the computer that hosts the cable modem is the WinME machine.

Without the proper drivers installed, you will not necessarily get a link light. But since you know both of these NICs are good and have good drivers by using the cable modem, I'm assuming the problem is the crossover cable itself.

First of all, you should make sure it's a crossover cable. If you hold both ends of the cable together and peer through the plastic shell, if the wires are in the same color code order from right to left on both ends, it's NOT a crossover cable. That's the most likely problem, closely followed by the chance that the cable itself has an open wire.

If the cards are up and running and Device Manager shows them to be okay, you shouldn't have to do anything with the BIOS or IRQ assignments.

With a crossover cable, you do not need a hub so that part is also correct.

I'm betting on the cable.

paul

by kmerrillt

I have checked the crossover cable and it was ok. I even purchased another cable from a different source. I still don't get a connection between both computers.

by ebob

Further on the subject of the cable itself: there are 3 types of cables available. You can check them yourself by holding up the ends so they are oriented the same way and looking at the colour sequence.

1 - Staight-thru: the colour order is the same left to right
2 - Roll-over: the colour order left to right at one end is a mirror image (i.e., the same as right to left) at the other end
3 - Cross-Over: the colour order at each end appears to be roughly random (it is actually pairs of Ethernet functions being crossed as compared to the roll-over cable's whole set of wires).

It's been awhile since I bothered with this, but I thought I had success with a roll-over cable in this situation.

However, I always recommend that a networklike this NOT be setup with some sort of "pass-thru" software solution. It's a drain on the "gateway" PC, and requires the gateway PC to be up and running.

My recommendation is:
1 - just use TCP/IP (forget NetBEUI, etc.)
2 - use a hardware "router" (typically sold as Cable/DSL router, also serves as switched hub, DHCP server, firewall, and optionally print server - many brands available)

This makes a real nice clean, secure easy to manage configuration.

by kmerrillt

The typical setup procedures are not working. I even removed one of the two NICs in the one system. I had a connection for a couple of minutes after this. When I [plugged the system back in and turned it on, I had LEDs until Windows was fully booted then lost it.

by estebandelatorre

It's true for new nic's that when you plug both sides of the cable, you should see some light activity. The problem may be either on the cross cable or the network properties config tab of both windows, but if you dont' see ANY kind of light activity, probably the cross cable is not a cross cable, and it's a standart patch cable.
The standart patch cable allows you to connect nic to hub but not two hubs or two pc's.
a.- Check both rj45 connectors, you must see color cables crossed.
b.- Ifyou have a cross cable, it may be damaged.

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