"A Network Cable Is Unplugged" message?

[trelarah]

- I'm at university using a T1 LAN connection to the internet.
- My room only has one connection, but I have two computers.
- My mobo has only one onboard LAN, therefore I installed another LAN card.
- I have one cable going from the wall to Computer 1, than another cable going from Computer 1 to Computer 2.
- I've tried networking them so I can share the internet, but I'm having some problems.
- The two computers won't seem to connect, they keep saying "A Network Cable Is Unplugged".
- I know both cables work fine. Both computers have Windows XP, and are updated A.S.A.P.
- I've tried bridging the connections, but i still get the same message.

My question is: Why does it keep saying there's cables unplugged?

Please Help.

* I know I don't need a router.

[bailey]

normally that because it see that there is no connection

the way you should connect the two computers is with a switching hub, if the jack in the wall is a RJ-45, eathernet connection.
the switching hub will allow several comouters to use the connection

connect the eakk outlet to the switching hub, then each computer will connect to the switching hub too.

that way each computer will be able to connect to each other and the internet at the same time.

a 4 port switching hub is very inexpensive

[Statica]

Bailey: Its always helpful to troubleshoot an issue instead of simply recommending that a person buy hardware. It is easy to buy hardware, but tackling the issue at hand helps the person as well as educates us about the subject.

Devintohara:
It is perfectly fine to connect 2 computers together without the use of any intermediary hardware (like a router or a switch or a hub etc etc).
But we first have to be clear on your hardware.
Computer A - lets call it the gateway device? Which NIC is not working? The onboard NIC or the additional one that you used? What does Windows identify is the make and model of your NIC?
Computer B - what is the make and model of the NIC on it? Is it an onboard device?

The first couple of steps, that I hope you have performed is to eliminate common issues
a) Is the cable you are using ok? Remember that you need a crossover cable to connect Computer A to Computer B
b) Are the NICs working fine. A simple test you can do is to connect the cable from the internet connection into all 3 NICs one at a time and verify that they can see the internet connection and acquire an IP address.

[trelarah]

- All the network cards are working properly, I can connect to the internet using each at one time.
- Gateway Computer has a Realtek LAN card, as well as the one that comes with the mobo.
- Computer two is an intel make LAN card, and is on the dell mobo.
- I've tried connecting the Realtek and the onboard LAN, to the Intel Lan, but I always receive the same message.
- I know that the cables are correct because I've used them before to network.

* I used to have the A7N8X DLX Mobo (Two LAN ports), and I was able to network the two computers no problem. But I had that mobo burn up and I had to get a new one. I got just the regular A7N8X Mobo (only one LAN port), therefore I had the Realtek Lan card installed. Everything works individually, just won't network.

[gunrunnerjohn]

I'd pick up a $15 hub or switch, since bridging between the computers is CLEARLY the hard way! Anyone that has two computers can afford a cheap hub/switch.

Oh, connecting NIC to NIC requires a crossover cable if the NICs aren't auto-sensing.

[trelarah]

Thank you gunrunnerjohn, though I would still like to know if I can do this without having to put my hand in my pocket.

[bailey]

don't take this the wrong way
but how are you positive that the cable that is connecting the two nic's is a crossover cable and not a stright through cable?
I ask this because if it was the wrong cable , this error is what you would get.

[trelarah]

ouu, good point bailey. thank you. maybe it is a straight forward cable. how can i tell the difference. the cable is what came with my residence room when I first moved in. all i know is that this cable worked with the last mobo network i did a month ago.

[Statica]

You will need a crossover cable between your computer.

[bailey]

look very closely at the connectors and see if the collor codeing is the same at both ends, if they are then it is a tright thorugh cable, ot take it to a IT and have them test it.

normally the cable that is in the room will be a standard stright through cable to be used from the wall to the computer's NIC

[trelarah]

Alright, it looks just like a regular cable. I'll try to go to the store on monday and pick up a crossover cable. Thanks to everyone for their help, I will keep you all posted to whether or not the new cable works.

[trelarah]

i purchased a "blue" cross over cable, and now everything works perfectly fine. thank you to everyone for their help, i really appreciate it.

cheers.