AndyH Posted April 24, 2003 Report Share Posted April 24, 2003 Hi I’m trying to set up a network between tow systems both running XP and well this is supposed to be easy in XP………isn’t it. :blink: I’ve got two Ethernet cards in one system and one in the other.All cards and cables are working as I’ve swapped the cables around and connected individually through each card so everything should be ok there.Network set-up wizard tells me “the network connection listed below is disconnected” but the card is working properly as I can connect just using that card.All cards are working fine according to Device ManagerAny ideas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nellie2 Posted April 24, 2003 Report Share Posted April 24, 2003 Is this link any good to you? I must admit I know very little about networking and even less about XP but the info seems quite straight forward and comprehensive......come back and let us know how you get on and if you still need some help.....there will be a few more bods in later who know what they are talking about :P By the way.......welcome to the forum!! :D XP and Networking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyH Posted April 24, 2003 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2003 Hi Nellie2 thanks for the reply and the welcome. :D I’m going through your link now…………..there’s certainly enough info, as a wee bit of a novice I need all the help I can get :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nellie2 Posted April 24, 2003 Report Share Posted April 24, 2003 Ok.....well see how you go on and come back if you get stuck on anything or get lost in terminology etc!! Heck, come back anyway and just enjoy the forum!! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent Smith Posted April 24, 2003 Report Share Posted April 24, 2003 Hello AndyH, may I assume that you are trying to connect the two computers together directly, and not via a hub or switch. If so, you will need to use a crossover network cable.The fact that you believe the cards to be installed and working correctly, and that you are getting a message saying that the connection is disconnected, would lead me to believe this is the first place to look. I suspect that you are using a straight through cable.Hope this info helps. Regards. Mr. Mouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyH Posted April 24, 2003 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2003 Hi Mr Mouse Your assumption is spot on…..yes I’m trying to connect two systems directly together.Your suggestion also does indeed sound the most likely reason and I’ve just spent the last half hour trying to locate the info from when I purchased the cable.I’ve just found the info and it says that it is a Network Cable. I can remember when I was going to purchase it, enquiring in another forum what the difference was between “Cross-over, patch and straight cables” as they all seemed to do a similar job.If I have been given the wrong cable is there any way I can find outCheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent Smith Posted April 24, 2003 Report Share Posted April 24, 2003 Hi AndyH, the easiest way to check what sort of cable you have (if you don't have a cable tester) is to have a look at the coloured wires at each end.Hold the cable with both RJ45 connectors side by side, and with the retaining clip face down. You should then be able to see 8 coloured wires in the RJ45 connection (unless you are unlucky enough to have a cable with a solid coloured connection, in which case you will need a tester). The colours are Brown, Brown and White, Blue, Blue and White, Orange, Orange and White, Green, Green and White. In a straight through cable, they will connect in the same sequence at each end. In a crossover the sequence is different. I will check the exact sequence and post back shortly. I don't want to give any false information.Mr. M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent Smith Posted April 24, 2003 Report Share Posted April 24, 2003 For reference, the industry standards for cat 5 cable wiring are as follows.Green and White, Green, Orange and White, Blue, Blue and White, Orange, Brown and White, BrownandOrange and White, Orange, Green and White, Blue, Blue and White, Green, Brown and White, BrownYou can use either sequence repeated at each end to make a straight through cable, but to make a crossover you would use one of each at opposite ends. (If anyone needs to know you can use either to make a rollover cable, except you simply reverse the order at the opposite end.)In answer to your question about various cable types, a patch lead is normally a short lead of between .5 and 1m in length, and is used in a patch panel. When connecting a computer to network point, you would use a fly lead. This is basically the same, but can be up to 3m in length. Both of these are examples of straight through cables. Normally you would use a straight through cable for most applications, EXCEPT when connecting a computer to another computer, or connecting hubs/switches toghether which do not have a switchable uplink port. In these cases you would use a crossover cable. Rollover cables have specialist uses and generally would not be used in a home environment.Regards, Mr. Mouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent Smith Posted April 24, 2003 Report Share Posted April 24, 2003 One other strange thought. For some reason which mystifies and angers me, most retailers seem to charge about four times the price for a crossover, than a straight through. :angry: Which is why I make most of my own!! :lol: Mr. M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent Smith Posted April 24, 2003 Report Share Posted April 24, 2003 AndyH, I've just been rereading your first post. Is it correct for me to assume, based on the fact that you have two network cards in one pc, that you wish to share a broadband connection of some type (cable or ADSL)?If this is so, you should be able to find out from the instructions with your connection which type of network cable this uses. Then by a process of swapping, you can check what sort of cable you are using to make your pc to pc connection. ie if the broadband uses a straight through, then connect your other cable to the broadband connection, and if it still works you have your answer, alternately if it is a crossover, use it to connect your two machines. If that works, then it would appear that the one you are currently using is a straight through.Also, I would personally use a router to share an internet connection, rather than via a single pc. If you would like to know more information about this, then post back.Regards. Mr. M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent Smith Posted April 24, 2003 Report Share Posted April 24, 2003 Some other networking links.Home Net HelpSharing a Cable ConnectionNetworklabPractically NetworkedAnd just for reference with XP XP User Accounts In case you need to keep users out of certain areas!Mr. M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyH Posted April 24, 2003 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2003 Mr MWow…….now that’s what I call an informative reply……………took a wee while to sink in this auld grey head of mine as well. :D The sequence of my wiring is the same on both ends as is Brown, Brown and White, Green, Green and White, Blue, Blue and White, Orange, Orange and White………………..and me poor auld eyes are struggling under the strain.This wiring is with the retaining clip face down and from left to right.So this means :unsure: :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent Smith Posted April 24, 2003 Report Share Posted April 24, 2003 This means a straight through!! You will need to get a crossover to make your network function. Unless of course you get a hub, switch or router.Mr. M.PS I don't wish to rub this in, but technically the wiring sequence in your cable is wrong. Although when used for a straight through cable, you can use almost any sequence you want, as long as it is the same at both ends, the sequences listed in my earlier post are designed for a reason. Network cables suffer from interference, which is why the pairs of wire (four in total, making eight wires) are twisted, hence UTP (unshielded twisted pair) or STP (shielded twisted pair) cable. The twists help to eliminate outside interference, and the sequence of wiring for each connection, is designed to maximize this protection. Cables wired in different sequences can suffer from signal deterioration, but this should only be a problem over longer distances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent Smith Posted April 24, 2003 Report Share Posted April 24, 2003 My apologies AndyH, but may I wish you a warm belated welcome to this forum.Mr. Mouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyH Posted April 24, 2003 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2003 Now ye are far too fast at this posting malarkey fer me Mr M :D My previous reply was before I had seen/refreshed your two replies above my posting…………….confused………………and when I was busy digesting your comments you had already replied to my reply……………..yes you’ve guessed I’m half oirish………………anyway the upshot is that you have solved my problem………………thanks very much.I’m not very happy with the company that sold me my Network cable thoughGreat forum by the way, I’m very impressed with the help that you have given me tonight…..cheers B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyH Posted April 24, 2003 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2003 See………I even missed that posting.Apologies uncalled for Mr M but thank you anyway….you’ve made me feel at home already. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent Smith Posted April 24, 2003 Report Share Posted April 24, 2003 My pleasure AndyH. :D I was just lucky to be around at the right time for you.I am sure there are plenty of others here who could have helped as well.I hope you will stay a visitor here, and become part of this growing family. We all have something to add, after all. B) Mr. M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mikef Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 Well done guys,particularly Mr I M, even if I haven't been here for a bit I recommended Andy to come here for help as I knew he would get sorted out when I couldn't help him and he is most impressed with you all. :D :D Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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