Re: Can't ping both computers

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In article <F2F10E86-0255-47D6-B52C-4CED92E10104@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
rbinnslbg <rbinnslbg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>Let me 1st begin by apologizing for the long post but after reading some of
>the others I hope eliminate some of the standard questions.
>
>I recently purchased a new computer with Windows XP Media Center. I am
>trying to network my old laptop running Windows ME using a purchased
>crossover cable. I have read several of the other posts and tried so many
>things I'm dizzy. I am no computer genius but don't mind trying things out
>and feel I am generally somewhat technically competent to complete this task
>but I am having an extremely hard time.
>
>I have eliminated my cable unplugged issue by finding out about the
>crossover cable and setting both adapters to 100Mbps/Half Duplex. (Oh ya, if
>you can't figure it out I am trying to connect both computers using a direct
>cable connection.)
>
>I run the network set-up wizard on the desktop with XP and then on the
>laptop with ME. Everything appears to be working fine but I can't see the
>other computer in the network. The desktop can ping itself and the laptop can
>ping itself but when I try to ping each other it gives me the request timed
>out error.
>
>I have an Intel PRO/100 VM on the desktop and Intel PRO/100 + MiniPCI on the
>laptop. Desktop IP address 192.168.0.1 and Laptop IP address 192.168.0.2 both
>on subnet 255.255.255.0
>
>I think there may be issues with the laptop because when I run the
>diagnostics on the laptop adapter everything passes except the cable test
>fails most times. It has passed a few times.
>
>Is there something with the way I logon. My laptop is setup so that no logon
>screen appears. How does the network know to connect if I don't logon.
>
>I'm not sure how I should proceed. I talked to our IT person at work and she
>recommended changing my Laptop OS to either Win98 or WinXP because she said
>WinME has huge issues with connecting to a network. I really thing someone
>out there can help me out.
>
>PLEASE!?!?!?!

How you log on is irrelevant. Pinging is a low-level network function
that doesn't require you to log on.

It's quite common for a computer to log onto the network without a
logon screen. If the laptop's primary network logon is set to Windows
Logon and you haven't defined a Windows password, that's exactly what
will happen. Go to Control Panel | Network and check.

There's no reason to change the laptop OS. All versions of Windows
can network with each other, ping each other, and share files and
printers with each other. Win98 vs. WinME vs. WinXP makes no
difference.

The failed cable tests could indicate a fault in the crossover cable
and/or the laptop's MiniPCI network adapter. Can you try a different
crossover cable? Can you try connecting the two computers using a
network hub or switch and two regular Ethernet cables? Can you try
connecting each of your computers to a third computer that's known to
network OK?

I agree with Richard G. Harper that you should un-install, not just
disable, third-party firewall programs while troubleshooting the
network. Don't re-install them until everything else is working.
Don't connect a computer to the Internet when it doesn't have a
firewall.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
.

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