Ok so I have my rj45 crossover cable...

[flipwiz]

Thanks to those who helped me on the 'Connecting 2 PC's' thread.

I have a crossover cable and both cpu's have NIC's but how do I now get them to know that they are there? Sorry if this is a real lamer question I'm a bit backward with networking. One OS is Win98 the other is Win2000.

Thanks in advance,

Harry

[Bandito]

What OS? In Win98:

-right click network neighborhood
-properties
-click the identification tab
- make sure both computers share the same workgroup name, but have different computer names
-click the configuration tab
-select properties of tcp/ip for the nic (not the modem)
-the next several lines is all under tcp/ip properties of the nic
-specify ip address for each computer
--the computer with the modem to dial out use 192.168.0.1
--the other one use 192.168.0.2
-under WINS disable WINS, disable DHCP
-for the computer that doesn't dial-out (the one with ip 192.168.0.2), select the gateway tab and add 192.168.0.1
-under the dns tab disable dns

Now also set the primary logon on tcp/ip properties to: client for Microsoft networks

also on tcp/ip properties, file and print sharing set to share at least file sharing

reboot both pc's

Now open Windows Explorer, right click the c:

select a folder on the c: drive (as an example c:\MyTransferFolder)

select sharing, share full

Now if you want to copy files to the other computer place them in c:\MyTransferFolder and voila'


This went a little overkill, but in the end if you decide to share your connection you are already all set. This is helpful for downloading Windows Updates, etc.

Write back if you get stuck--I wrote this kinda fast there might be mistakes??

[OC]

Also, in a domainless network environment it can take several minutes for each Win9x computer to show up on the network. As long as each computer is set to the same workgroup name, it'll work, just be patient with it.

This is generally only an issue with Win9x. If one or more of the computers is running NT or Win2k, that'll make the Win9x boxes show up very quickly.

-OC

[Bires]

In getting the comps to see each other, sometimes it helps to search for computers and search for the other computer's id name.

Also, selecting "Log on and restore network connections", and mounting the other computer's drive as an active drive on a computer will make sure the computers see each other at boot up, at the sacrifice of about 20 seconds of boot up time.

[\/\/|ZarD]

How fast do crossover cables connect computers?

Originally posted by \/\/|ZarD
How fast do crossover cables connect computers?

Same speed as regular cables. cross over cables just do the job a hub or switch when you have only 2 computers.

[\/\/|ZarD]

I must phrase all my questions wrong.
Ok so you have a two PCs both with 10/100Mbit ethernet cards. When you use a crossover cable do the computers connect at 10 or 100Mbits?

Originally posted by \/\/|ZarD
I must phrase all my questions wrong.
Ok so you have a two PCs both with 10/100Mbit ethernet cards. When you use a crossover cable do the computers connect at 10 or 100Mbits?

100Mb

[\/\/|ZarD]

:)
thanks
Where can I find instructions on how to make a crossover cable? I am too cheap to go out and buy one.

[Jeffbx]

Buy one. Making cables is an pretty precise art - unless you get the connections EXACTLY right, you'll lose speed on the connection. For the seven bucks, it's worth it to have a machine made one. I only crimp connections when it's absolutely necessary.

[hapoo]

Originally posted by Jeffbx
Buy one. Making cables is an pretty precise art - unless you get the connections EXACTLY right, you'll lose speed on the connection. For the seven bucks, it's worth it to have a machine made one. I only crimp connections when it's absolutely necessary.


hah... my entire house is wired... BY ME. Every cable was handmade. You get pretty good at it after a while. Actually my brother did most of it. but for seven bucks its a rip off. If you have a lot of wiring to do, get 100 feet of cable and a bunch of little ends and do it yourself. But jeffs right... its kinda hard at first.

[Leon]

Originally posted by \/\/|ZarD
:)
thanks
Where can I find instructions on how to make a crossover cable? I am too cheap to go out and buy one.

It is cheap to make the cables yourself, if you already have a crimper. If not, then realize a decent crimper cost me around $50.


http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=207&p=3

http://www.escape.ca/~droopy/ethernetcables.html

i got a decent crimmper at home depot for less than 20 bucks and cat5e cable for 10 cents a foot. i believe that the crimper is made by ideal, but im not sure. it has a wire cutter, stripper (dont use this for anything but flat wires, unless you know what you are doing. it will cut through round cables), and crimps rj-11 (phone cable) and rj-45 (cat5). i believe you can even get a kit that comes with a crimper, modular plugs and a case for approx $35.

heres another good site for making crossover cables:
http://www.littlewhitedog.com/reviews_other_00009.asp

[Bandito]

Leon beat me to it, the crimper is expensive. If anybody ever finds a hot deal on one let everybody know.

Even at a computer show they are $45. You can get cross-over cables on sale online for a few dollars, or buy one at Best Buy for $15.

[\/\/|ZarD]

Man is nothing cheap in this world?
Hey Leon wanna let me borrow your crimper? :)

ehhh didn't think so

Well I'll be wiring my house soon, I can't decide how much cable I'll need. I am going to have to have at least 5 plugs. The house is 2400sq ft, and the five plugs are all upstairs. I'll have one room with two plugs since that computer will be the server for the rest of the house, and I'll be using multiple ethernet cards on it.
Do you guys think 200ft of cable will be enough?
I went by PC Club and the fools didn't have anything in stock. I couldn't even buy a 300w PSU. If anyone has cable sitting around that they won't be using, email me. I could make use of it.
And finally where can I buy nice little wall plugs to use to make the job look professional?

[Grimm]

200 ft??? Not enough.

When you run the cable, you will have to run it up your wall and into your attic. Figure 9 feet from the baseplate to the attic then the distance to the room with the hub/switch/router (whichever you are using) don't forget to figure in the path the cable you will take in the attic, you might want to run it along the side so you will have to add that in. Add of course the distance back down to the hub. Dont forget to add some extre incase you have to go around an obstruction in the wall, it would suck beyound beleif if you ended up 6" short! I added 10 to 15 feet to my measurements, then pulled the extra through and trimmed it (dont forget to leave a little extra in the wall 6" to a foot would be good). The extra can be used as a patch cable after you cut it off.

If you don't know how to fish cable you will have to find someone who knows how to show you.

I got my wall plates at Home Depot and Fry's. I'm sure you can find them cheaper somewhere else.

It's not cheap to do, the jacks will run you quite a bit plus the cable and tools, I would plan on spending around 200 dollars (US). More if you don't find some good deals. Spend the little bit extra on good cable and you won't regret it later. You can easily replace jacks and face plates later with almost no effort, but replacing a cable will be a pain in the a$$.

[\/\/|ZarD]

Thanks!!!
:)

[Jeffbx]

Also mucho importino - make sure ALL your connections are CAT5 - including the plugs, jacks, wallplates, and patch panel (if you use one). Any little thing can bring a nice 100Mb connection back down to 10. Avoid any wires with electricity running in them, and avoid electric motors like the plague! If you really want to get fancy, run it all with CAT5e & pick up some gigabit adapters...