PCs on home LAN can't see eachother?!

[PeteS99]

Hey, I recently set up a LAN here (on 2 PCs w/ Win98 SE), using the Linksys Network Starter Kit.. installed all the protocols that they recommended, Client for MS, Netbeui, IPX/SPX, and TCP/IP (though Linksys does not seem to keen on that). Through no configuration were both computers visible in Network Neighborhood, or were they able to communicate. The PCs were each able to view themselves, but not eachother.

All hardware is installed without problems, connections are fine, and sharing is enabled.

IP address for PC 1 is 192.168.2.21
IP address for PC 2 is 192.168.2.22
both have Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0

All identification is correct (different names on each), and I have tried putting the PCs in separate workgroups, but the other workgroup won't even show up.

So, what is going wrong? Thanks in advance...

pete


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i love natural selection.

See the world with Semester at Sea:
http://go.to/sas/

[K A Hall]

quote:

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Originally posted by PeteS99:
Hey, I recently set up a LAN here (on 2 PCs w/ Win98 SE), using the Linksys Network Starter Kit.. installed all the protocols that they recommended, Client for MS, Netbeui, IPX/SPX, and TCP/IP (though Linksys does not seem to keen on that). Through no configuration were both computers visible in Network Neighborhood, or were they able to communicate. The PCs were each able to view themselves, but not eachother.

All hardware is installed without problems, connections are fine, and sharing is enabled.

IP address for PC 1 is 192.168.2.21
IP address for PC 2 is 192.168.2.22
both have Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0

All identification is correct (different names on each), and I have tried putting the PCs in separate workgroups, but the other workgroup won't even show up.

So, what is going wrong? Thanks in advance...

pete

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Everything looks fine, I would remove the IPX/SPX as I doubt you will ever use it, unless you have some whacky games that must have it. I am not familiar with the linksys kit that you have, but did the network cards install properly?

Systems must be in the same workgroup and have different identifications.

Is there a "crossover" cable provided with the kit. If you are not using a hub you will need one.

What about the little green lights that are on the back of the NICS are they lit up and showing activity when you plug in the cables?

Check the bindings tab on both the NETBUI and TCP/IP protocols. One of them has got to be bound to Client for MS networks and File and Print sharing. Preferably NETBUI, but check tick em both until you get it working and you can go back and uncheck TCP/IP later for security reseasons.




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Extra Screw? What Extra Screw?

[glc]

Are both computers coming up to a logon box for "Microsoft Networking"? If not, search the registry for "autologon" and delete it.

[PeteS99]

All the settings and connections are fine.. i login to Client for MS Networks.. i tried pinging..
Machine A to B.. no response
Machine B to A.. no response
Machine A to A.. reply
Machine B to B.. reply

so, the cards are working fine... just something in between is causing blockage of those damn packets!!! any other ideas? thanks..
p

[goodcanuck]

just thought i'd add my 2 sents.

sounds like cable if everything else, for sure, is working.

have you tried sharing a folder on one or both computers to see if it shows up on NN. or try sharing C at the begining and then get more specific after you see that the shared file is showing up. Remember you are networking 98

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If it isn't fixed, break it>

[theENiGMA]

Just out of curiosity, why did you assign IP addresses to the cards? You don't need them just to network them. I have the same starter kit, and it works fine with both computers TCP/IP set to automatically assign an IP. Any game that needs an IP for each computer will assign one automatically in most cases (e.g. Diablo2). Also, look in the troubleshooting section of the manual. There were some hardware conflicts listed that would cause the problem you are describing. On the subject of IPX/SPX, I would say keep it. A lot of networking games can use either that or TCP/IP. IPX/SPX is a cleaner protocal that runs a lot faster. In games that support it this means less lag. BTW, I'm assuming you tried refreshing the network neighborhood. Sometimes network lag can cause two computers to not see each other for up to 2 min. or more. I've had this happen. After about two minutes, they could see each other, and I didn't have nay more problems with them.
-KEiTH


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Well, I'm off to go look for myself. If I should get back before I return, tell myself to wait for me.

[This message has been edited by theENiGMA (edited 08-04-2000).]

[mq1]

Why not log into microsoft for family networks.

[PeteS99]

Sorry, forgot to mention that drives are shared on both computers. At this point, I see no possible way it is a software issue. I dont think there are any more configs I could possibly try (have already tried switching logins, no dice)... the only HW conflict that was listing in Device Manager was that I ran out of IRQ's at first- my I have a SB AWE 32 sound card, with a built in IDE controller, which the NIC began competing with for IRQ 12. I disabled that controller and the NIC was happy.
I assign an IP to beat the lag on boot while the system assigns one.. I've been rebooting so much its a major hassle. But there is no difference when I let the system assign an IP either.
My next step is to use an older Kingston NIC that I have and swap out the Linksys's... maybe one of them is bad. I also have an extra patch cable, which I will try instead of the ones I am using. Then, maybe I will try a crossover instead of the hub, if all of my NICs work...
And as for Network Neighborhood, I have let those F'n computers wait two hours and they wont see eachother! Keep those ideas coming please! Thanks... again...

[glc]

Do you see any activity lights on the NICs and the hub?

[roverman]

You say "Sharing is enabled". Exactly what does that mean? You need to set it in several places:

Hard drives
File and Print Sharing (printers &/or files)
Microsoft File and Print Sharing Services

Randy

[PeteS99]

All of the lights are on, and blink with activity...

the hard drives are shared, and File + print sharing is enabled..

[glc]

Are you running any firewall software such as Zone Alarm?

[yabuddy]

you should have link lights on both nics and the hub, ive had to remove everything from net neighborhood and start from scratch to get everything up on more than one ocassion. ive also had these cards crap out twice on me too. use dhcp to assign addresses, also install netbeui. u should be able to ping 127.0.0.1 wich is the nic testing its software. you can also goto start, run, and type winipcfg, use the drop down and goto your card, hit release, wait a few and then hit renew. it renews you ip address (probly the same one). id probly wait a few minutes between doin anything. also id try going to start, run, find computer, using the computer name from the other machine, and see if you can find it......

[bob]

"So, what is going wrong? Thanks in advance"


Assuming no IRQ conflicts then - Cable problem.

[RedVR6]

Pete,

Want me to drop some cables off? Can't hurt....I am still at a loss too.

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DBK
'95 GLX - Work in Progress
'99 Homemade Celery Box

http://drink.to/saltys/

[PeteS99]

Ok, I have done a bit of research.. and I have come up with two questions...

"Use a PCI bus master slot. Most PCI local bus computers have master slots, slave slots, and/or "combo" slots that can act as either masters or slaves. The EtherPCI II card should be inserted into a master slot. See your PC's user guide to see which slots are which."

What PCI slots are 'masters'?? I have not heard of this terminology for PCI devices....

"Good IRQ values to try are 10, 11, 12 (if you do not have a Bus mouse), 9, and 5 (in that order). "

What is a 'Bus mouse'???? I have a serial mouse, but its COM port is 3 or 4...

Thanks!! ~pete

[vista7]

One diagnostic you could run: see if the computers can ping one another. This will let you know if you have transport layer connectivity. If you cannot ping then as I saw mentioned isolate the problem. Try different cables. Try switching out nic cards. I had a similar problem and had some luck r/r tcp/ip & communications on the suspect system; which can eliminate a lot of o/s networking software issues. Anyways, if you can ping the other computers; then I believe your nic cards are physically OK, and their could be some type of o/s problem. If you cannot ping; then their could be some type of physical nic problem.

[glc]

Check your motherboard's documentation for which PCI slots are busmasters. Generally, any board made in the past 2 or 3 years has busmastering capability on the first 4 slots. If this is an original Pentium board, you may have *no* busmastering slots. I had this exact problem trying to run a 10/100 Linksys card in a P-166 Acer Aspire - I had to put a 10baseT ISA card in to get the network working.

A "bus" mouse in the context of IRQ 12 is a PS/2 mouse.

[yabuddy]

are you still assigning a ip? both machines have to use server assigned ip or "obtain address automaticly" everything else in net nebrhood at default

[PeteS99]

oh, its a fairly new MB.. FIC PA2013.. running an AMD K6-3 450. the other PC is pretty new too (not sure on the brand, but running a K6-2 400)..
so its not my mouse, i'll check the other too.
automatically assinging the IP is of no aid, but i will try releasing and renewing them one of these days. i've taken the whole setup apart temporarily..

[RedVR6]

Damn those IRQ's. That was the cause of this headache. Still working Pete???

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DBK
'95 GLX - Work in Progress
'99 Homemade Celery Box

http://drink.to/saltys/

[PeteS99]

havent set it all back up yet. 65.5 hours till DSL arrives.. then we shall see.

the problem was that i had too much HW, partly due to an old sound card, eating too many IRQ's. tricky.