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Running a LAN, problems...

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by supz

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Hello. Yesterday evening, going to network neighborhood (right click to properties) I clicked "Add" in the configurations tab. I clicked Client, then clicked Novell (Netware 4.0+). Keep in mind, I had just setup my network cards in my two Windows 98computers.I opened the box containing my 10 ft RJ45 cable (Male/Male) and connected them from my one computer to the other. Then, not knowing exactly how to set up the Dialup LAN between the two PCs, I attempted to read Windows Help to get an idea. I figured I needed a client, so that's when I tried to install Novell. Seeing as I did not have the disk for Novell or any other disks for entirely Networking purposes, after trying to install it, I clicked cancel, because I did not have the disk. This then erased several files from my system (Win.Ini,Vnetware.386, Nwlink.vxd, and another file which I forget the name of) Using my other Win98 computer I transfered these missing files back to my other, Making the OS finally run properly again. Then, as it had begun to do after the network cables were plugged in, programs began to crash (all IE based). After completing a dialup to AOL, or Juno, the program would crash or not crash but tell me to check my network settings. (The cable was not attached at this time but the card was).Also, Kazaa crashes.The machine in which the files were deleted will not shut down properly anymore either. I was told by my school's network supervisor that these crashes are being caused because of the impropernetwork setup, and that I should remove Novell entirely and the cards in the PCs and reinstall them, then go to ctrl panel -->add rem programs -->Win setup -->communications to make sure that the entire list of communications is checked, and this will get my little 2 pc dialup LAN to begin to work. I need feedback, is this correct or are there other aspects to making the LAN work...Any help would be great.Thanks for your time

12 replies

by sgt_shultz

first, you are connecting only 2 pc's together, yes? your 10ft RK45 cable needs to be a 'crossover' type cable. go to Radio Shack or CompUSA or OfficeMax to get one. in lieu of that you can buy an inexpensive Linksys 4 port workgroup switch (about $35 from buy.com) and another 'plain' ethernet cable and hook them both up thru the switch.
Next, go to Control Panel/Network and remove the network card and network clients and anything else there. Windows will complain that it doesn't have a properly configured network. just ignore. don't worry about replacing any files windows wants to delete at this point. reboot the computer.
re-install the network card drivers. you may be prompted to at boot as Windows will detect the cards most likely. installing that will probably also install protocol(s), client(s). Take out all but TCPIP and Client for Microsoft Networks.
Add File and Print services if not there already.
get properties of tcpip and configure it for 'obtain an ip address automatically'. which it probably will be already.
configure the workgroup name to be the same on both computers. (properties of My Computer)
reboot.
create a share on each computer (right-click on the folder you wish to share, eg. c:\windows\my documents, pick share, take all the defaults.
connect the pc's with the crossover cable or switch and regular cables, boot them up and see if you can see each other in the network neighborhood. write back if you can't.
Internet connection sharing, especially with AOL is another matter. get that far and write us back?
good luck and keep trying...

by supz

thanks for the reply. I will try this as soon as I arrive home today... I believe the RJ45 cable I have is a crossover cable. The only problem about networking the dialup is the part about "obtaining an IP address automatically". Whenever these computers are connected to the internet, as they ARE on dialup, the IP will not be static/constant, it will always vary. Will setting it to obtain the IP address automatically resolve this problem and configure the IP every time it is connected to the 'net? Just curious. Maybe if networking Juno would be easier than networking AOL, we could do that. Either way though it still is a task. I will contact you asap after I try these ideas. Thank you very much for your reply.

by supz

Ok...so I've set up everything as you said. Now the network neighborhood works properly...well, almost. My slower computer's name is listed as "Compaq" while my faster yet still slow cpu's name is "D4H2G" or something of that effect. Now, when I open Network neighborhood on the Compaq, I only see the compaq, but its much better than not seeing anything last night, and I did follow your instructions. On the comp called D4H2G I can only see H4H2G also, not the compaq. Why does this seem to be?.... Also, I need instructions for how to setup AOL to this dialup network. When doing a crash test by opening Kazaa and clicking my files, Kazaa is still crashing, meaning ISP's will still crash on the computer, I believe, until this network is setup and working properly. I'm not 100% sure why the hell they're crashing. Mysteries of life. Please reply soon, I am anxious to get this set up entirely tonight if possibly. I will award you all of the points promised if we can get this thing running. You've been a great help - thank you.

by thechas

My best advice to you, is to go to this web site:

http://www.wown.com/

Go through the tutorial, and if you have any further questions, go through the links.

Things to check:

Work group must be the same on both PCs.

ICS (Internet Connection Sharing should only be installed on the PC that will make the dial-up connection.

You must log on to each PC with a password to have network access.

Chas

by supz

Thank you, Cas =) This website is very helpful. Hopefully by tomorrow evening I can have this entirely set up. Thanks so much. More replies still are welcomed, though!

by d_rock67

ICS Internet Connection Sharing will be the fun part to setup. If you need directions on how to set this use your windows help. Open Windows Explorer, click help, and search for Internet Connection Sharing. I have set this up before, its not thatbad. good luck

by #ath

In relation to your concern about: "Whenever these computers are connected to the internet, as they ARE on dialup, the IP will not be static/constant, it will always vary."
The IP address of the NIC (Network Card) is seperatly assigned when compared to the IP address of the PPP adapter (which your modem will be using)
the PPP adapter will have a dynamic address however to proxy the internet to the second computer both computers will need to have static addresses assigned to their NIC's (ie 192.168.0.1 & 192.168.0.2) and both will need to be in the same subnet mask (ie 255.255.255.0)
with that set up run your proxy program on box 1 (ie IP address 192.168.0.1) and tell your browser on box 2 (ie IP address 192.168.0.2) to look for box 1 through the ip address you assigned it on the port specified during the proxy program setup (ie 80 or 8080)
that should get both computers browsing the web
hope that helps.....

Brian

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