I need Help in networking two computers...?

Question

Hi all,

I have connected my two PCs via cat5 ehernet cable. (cross over cable). the light is on on both cable plugs showing its connect. Now when I go to "Network Places" and click on "View workgroup computers" it says "the workgroup is not accessible, contact your administrator. The list of servers for this group is currently available". Please tell how to share internet connection and folders on the client computer with the host computer.

Your help is appreciated,

Thanks, Tim.

Answer 1

First you need to make sure they can even talk to one another. When you connect them together like this you will need to manually assign them ip addresses. Once you do that you should be able to ping each computer from the other. Once you get that working then you may want to make sure both of them have the same workgroup name. (control panel, system, computer name). If you're still having trouble after that then go to network connections, right click on the LAN connection, click properties, click TCP/IP, click properties, click advanced, click wins, then enable netbios over tcp/ip.

That should do it.

Answer 2

Hi Tim,
I'll assume some assumptions and suggest according to them.
In case you have the computers as Windows XP, 2000
1- IP addresses: make sure that you have set them in a static way in the same domain, I'd go for something like 192.168.0.1, 192.168.0.2, subnet mask for both would be 255.255.255.0, open a command prompt and make sure that you have a network connection between both after u do this. from Start-->Run, type "cmd" and press Ok, now ping the both computers, u can do this like typing
ping 192.168.0.1
ping 192.168.0.2
you should have 0% loss and have to get replies on both computers.
2- Right mouse click on My computer, select properties, in the computer name tab, click the change button and set the workgroup on both computers to the same one, or just double check that it's set to the default "WORKGROUP", you may need to restart, don't do it so early !
3- on both computers, create a common account with the same user name and password, you can do that from local users and groups console
Usually you'll not need step 3 if you have the guest account enabled on both comptuers, if you have doubt do create the account on both computers, restart the computers and hopefully you'll see the computers.
Internet connection sharing can be done by installing a proxy server or enabling routing and remote access service and setting the default gateway on computer 2 to point to computer 1 as the default gateway, a little bit tricky but can be accomplished.
You can read more in the help documentation about ICS that would work around .

Answer 3

Unless you have a 2nd network card or a dialup modem on one of the computers you will not be able to connect the 2 together with a crossover cable AND access the internet.

Do yourself a favor and get a router. Connect the router to your internet connection (broadband). Set the router up for dhcp and the computers as dhcp clients... this will put the 2 computers on the same ip network once they get ip addresses.

Connect the 2 by:


1) Enable MS File and Print Sharing
2) Share a folder on pc1
3) Put both pc's in same workgroup (call it whatever you want)
4) Access pc1 shared folder from pc2 by entering \\pc1 name\shared folder name in windows explorer.

That's it... hope this helps

Answer 4

You need to ensure that both computers are configured to use the same workgroup. Depending on the OS, you should be able to open the System Properties control panel and under Computer Name (Windows XP) or Network Identification (Windows 2000) define a workgroup name. This name must be the same for both computers.

This should allow both PC's to see one another. File security and other access will still be defined by account name, so you should modify security to allow local accounts on one PC connect to resources on the other PC.

As for sharing an Internet connection, you will need a second network card in one of the computers to connect broadband, or a modem to connect dial-up. You can configure Internet Connection Sharing through the control panel, again, depending on the operating system.

Answer 5

After setting both computers to the same workgroup name, run the network wizard to create that workgroup network. The wizard will ask you if the computer is connected to the interenet or getting it's internet from the other computer. Answer all questions, end by saying you'll set up the network manually. Restart both computers. Make sure your Intenet Explorer / Tools / Internet Options / Connections / LAN Settings are set to automatically detect settings.

If that doesn't work, turn off any firewall and try again as a test.

Answer 6

Because you no longer have a server giving you an IP address, you need to assign one for each computer. I would assign one 192.168.10.1 and the other 192.168.10.2. Both should have subnet masks of 255.255.255.0 and the gateway does not need to be specified.

Now - the nicer way to do this is to purchase a router, plug that into your cable/dsl router and hookup your 2 computers to it (don't use the crossover cable). This will give you internet and allow the 2 computers to see each other too.

Answer 7

u need to have a ethernet hub even if u r connecting just 2 computers.directly connecting the 2 computers will not lead to the detection of the network. use the ethernet hub.and try to run the network setup wizard. it works

Answer 8

use a router. it's soooo much more simple you may have to drop 30 bucks but for the amount of headache you are saving and speed spend the money