My computers dont recognize each other on my LAN

[sleepminded]

i have two comps, one laptop and my personal computer (PC)...
i got the LAN stuff set up right, but the computers refuse to see each other...so, nothing really works. the laptop is running ME, and my PC is running 2K pro...can you help me out?

[xsiled2]

check ur workgroup :D

[Bires]

1. search for the names of the comps manually in 'find...computer'
2. install NetBeui on all the comps
3. give each computer a static IP
4. hook up a "known good" computer to each, one at a time, and see if it is one of the computers that is causing problems.


I'm assuming you're using a hub or switch to connect the two...not just a CAT-5 cable. If you are using a single cable, it must be a cross-over patch cable (used for hub-hub communications). A crossover cable will have pins 1-3 and 2-6 switched (I think this is the cross, but you can get this info from Linksys)

[sleepminded]

Im kinda dumb in this networking thing...
so...
1)what is NetBeui?
2)I tried the "find computer" thing...they didnt see each other...
3)how do i do the 4th if i only have 2 computers available right now?
-and-
4)how do i set up a static IP?


sleepminded<---need to learn how to network =\ (need broadband internet! argh! parents refuse to let me get broadband until i get a network...argh!)

[qmanchu]

1) NetBEUI is a protocol that you can add under the Network Control Panel.

2) You can set a static IP address by going to the properties of the TCP/IP protocol. If you want to try it out, you'll want to use some private IP addresses, such as 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.0.2, both having a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. It doesn't matter which computer gets which IP address.

Let us know if you're successful. Good luck. :)

[Jihforce]

-NetBEUI is not needed.
-Make sure you have at least TCP/IP protocal enabled.
-Use a HUB.
-Make sure your network cards are functional
-Assign static IPs (do what qmanchu says)
-Make sure you reboot. Check HUB and Network card lights to see if there's an active connection.

This should work. I've got 3 machine networked this way and have no problems. I even have them sharing a DSL line thru a router and it works like a charm.

[itedin]

Sup sleepminded. I do this all the time to back up my laptop files. I'm using XP, but I've also used ME for both machines. I'm fortunate to have an apartment which has FREE ethernet connections, and each port has it's own IP which is detected automatically. Are you using a hub?

These replies sure are complicated. If you have an internet connection on both computers, you're set.

- right click on networking from desktop, go to 'properties'. make sure you have 'file and printer sharing for microsoft networks'

- now make sure you share whatever files you want to share. for example, go to 'my documents' directory, right click, go to 'properties' then 'sharing', and share that directory. all the contents of 'my documents' should be visible from the other computer.

- one more complicated note, do you have any hardware/software firewalls set up? for example, I have Norton Internet Security, and the firewall blocks all IP's unless I specify them... aka, my laptop is invisible from my desktop unless I allow the IP of my laptop to be read.

Good luck.

[Jeffbx]

Here ya go -

http://www.practicallynetworked.com

[sleepminded]

my computers can ping each other but still cant see each other >.<

[qmanchu]

sleepminded, it usually helps if you posted what you've done thus far. Sorta helps everyone reading and those trying to help you out. Not trying to sound harsh or anything. Just making a suggestion. :)

[sleepminded]

okay...sorry >.<

i gave each comp a static IP and they still couldnt see each other but they could ping each other...and there really isnt much of anything else that i really did >.<

[sleepminded]

okay...so i tried with a HUB, not a router...but they still dont see each other...
does it have anything to do with the OS? cuz one is ME and the other is 2Kpro >.< this is irritating >.<

[sleepminded]

oh great...now i install that netb~~~ whateverhting..and now my PC cant go online >.< argh!!!!!!

plz help me plz...im on that crappy laptop right nowl...and it just sucks ! >.<

[speedracer120]

What kind of equipment are you using on your LAN?

Are the computers on the same subnet, using the same gateway?

[sleepminded]

im using a linksys router and CAT-5 cables...
they are on the same subnet...but the gateway thing is empty >.<
friends siad i didnt need it >.<

[Jeffbx]

True - don't need a gateway unless you're accessing the Internet.

Your machine names need to be different, and your workgroup names need to be the same...

[sleepminded]

well...i found out the problem after i went to a LAN party...damn compaq gave me a messed up card >.< so...i just bought a new one and it works great ^_^

[Jihforce]

Told you to make sure your NIC are funtional, but does anyone listen to me??? Noooooo ;)

[sleepminded]

sorry >.< but i couldnt get another card until i went to the LAN party >.<