Networking Information

[johnnymk]

So my friend installed XP Pro on his computer and is trying to communicate with a special Karaoke gadget. This is a minicomputer (CAVS JB199) with XP Home. It stores Karaoke music instead of using individual discs. (Their website isn't the greatest).

He is utilizing a crossover cable from one computer to the next and is unsuccssful.

I tried going in to the Network Wizard, but there are so many options, I don't know which ones to select. On one of the options, it wants to dial a number. Plus there are IP addresses and all sorts of stuff.

I tried Microsoft's site and it is somewhat helpful.

Any recommendations as to a decent site for help?

[DarkFury]

One question...

Does he use broadband with a router? If so, he can possibly network through the router instead if trying to use a crossover cable.

[johnnymk]

One question...

Does he use broadband with a router? If so, he can possibly network through the router instead if trying to use a crossover cable.

As far as I know..no. The manufacturer's website recommends a crossover cable.

[hoey222]

are the computers in the same workgroup? right click on my computer and go to properties in computer name it will list the computer's name and work group. they should be on the same work group.

[johnnymk]

I guess very few people are into networking. What a surprise!

[gwilks98]

First, what are you hoping to accomplish by connecting them? Are you going to drag and drop files through explorer and network sharing? Is there a synchronization program that you'll use to handle the transfer? Are you just letting the kareoke machine use the primary machine's internet connection?

When you connect a crossover, both machines should auto assign 169.x.x.x addresses. Does it do that?

[DarkFury]

I guess very few people are into networking. What a surprise!

No, that isn't the case... just few of us still use crossover cables to accomplish networking (now that routers with DHCP are now available to do most of that stuff for us.)

Sounds like your friend might need to get with the times.

[johnnymk]

First, what are you hoping to accomplish by connecting them? Are you going to drag and drop files through explorer and network sharing? Is there a synchronization program that you'll use to handle the transfer? Are you just letting the kareoke machine use the primary machine's internet connection?

When you connect a crossover, both machines should auto assign 169.x.x.x addresses. Does it do that?

He wants to transfer files from the computer to the karaoke machine. Internet connection will never be used on the computer or the karaoke machine.

Does it have to start with 169?

[blueindian]

No, that isn't the case... just few of us still use crossover cables to accomplish networking (now that routers with DHCP are now available to do most of that stuff for us.)

Sounds like your friend might need to get with the times.

get a dhcp router and be done with it.

[johnnymk]

So once you attach this router, does XP recognize it and then set up the network automatically?

[gwilks98]

As long as your network cards are enabled and no one has screwed with the install, your network card will attempt to get an IP address the moment a cable with a signal is plugged in, including a crossover cable. A router is nice, but not required.

Once you plug the cable in to both machines, wait a few minutes, then open a command prompt on each (Start>Run>type cmd) and type in IPconfig. Once you have both IP addresses, then I can start to help you.

Oh, and turn your NIC's Windows Firewall off.

[johnnymk]

I thought I was going to see the guy this evening. I may not see him till next week...Thanx until then