Connecting two computers

I am trying to connect my laptop to my desktop using Cat5 ethernet to ethernet. My desktop is running XP Pro and my laptop is running Vista Home Premium. I can't get it to work. I can connect my Xbox to my desktop with no problems, but I can't connect the two PC's. Any and all advise is welcome.

 

If you're connecting the 2 computers directly together without using a switch or hub, then you'll need a crossover cable. If you're not sure what that is, simply do a google search.

 

Yep, Cat5 crossover cable.

 

Make sure they're in the same workgroup. By default, XP's workgroup is "MSHOME" and Vista's is "WORKGROUP".

Make sure your firewall is set to allow file and printer sharing (if that's what you're trying to do.

In Vista, you have to set the network as "Private" to see the other computer, then set all the settings you want to on, especially "Discoverable" and "File Sharing". You can do this through the Network and Sharing Center. (You can open this through Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center)

What exactly are you trying to do? (share internet, files, printers, ...)?

 

I made a new workgroup, and changed it in Vista and XP.

My Vista is set as "Private".

I set all the settings on.

I want to share files and internet.

 

So you connected them and... what? Nothing comes up?

Try pinging one of the computers from the other (make sure you're pinging the right ip).

 

I connected them and... Nothing comes up.

I tried pinging the laptop with the desktop, request timed out.
I tried pinging the desktop with the laptop, request timed out.

 

Hmm... I'd guess that either the cable or one of the ethernet cards is bad. Try connecting each of them directly to the internet, can you get a connection?

 

Yes, they both work directly to the cable modem. The laptop can connect to the internet with the cat5 cable with no problem. I can also connect to my xbox with the cable.

 

Are you sure you don't have a firewall up? Other than that, I have no idea...

 

No firewalls.

When I bring up Network Map on the laptop with Vista, I can see the Laptop, Desktop, and the hub. But the only one that I can access is the Laptop.

 

Hub? Do you have a hub in between?

 

No. The desktop is wired to the cable modem through one ethernet card. I am trying to connect the other ethernet card on the desktop to the laptop. It's the same card and cable that I use to connect my xbox to the desktop.

 

Can you connect your xbox to your laptop?

 

Just tried. No I can't.

 

So... there is a problem with your laptop? But you can access internet through the cable modem... are you sure you can? Is it possible that you're connecting through a wireless connection, but it appears that you're using the cable modem?

 

No, I'm positive. If I take the laptop cable out of the desktops ethernet card and connect it to the modem, the laptop can connect to the internet.

 

Have you tried clicking "Diagnose and Repair" in the Network Sharing Center in the laptop? It gives you a vague description of what's wrong, and it can do some useful stuff like reset your network card. You could also try restarting both the PC and laptop (I assume you did this after you changed the workgroups?)

 

Yea, I've tried that too. I'm ready to give up. Instead of trying computer to computer (which I'm having no luck at), I'm going to shut them both down for the night and try making a home network using the hub tomorrow.

This Windows Vista is drivin me crazy.

 

lol, good idea, I tried to do the same thing -- cat6 crossover cable, PC running XP Home, laptop running Vista Home Premium. I managed to get printer sharing, but not files. I ended up buying a $20 router from Best Buy...