Extreme Networking problems!

[Lacrosse Boy]

I've been having the worst problems networking two computers together. I can't figure out the problem. :(

Computer 1
Windows ME
Printer on LPT1 that needs sharing

Computer 2
Windows XP Pro
Document Folder on Drive D: which needs sharing

The Document folder is set to be shared.

Both computers are on a network named "METRO" however, neither ones seems to recogize the other one as being there. However, if I disconnect the cable which is in between them, it gives the "Network Cable Unplugged" message. What is going on? What do I do to get our system back up-and-running again outside of buying new stuff? :confused:

Help is greatly appreciated. :)

[Shining Arcanine]

I've been having the worst problems networking two computers together. I can't figure out the problem. :(

Computer 1
Windows ME
Printer on LPT1 that needs sharing

Computer 2
Windows XP Pro
Document Folder on Drive D: which needs sharing

The Document folder is set to be shared.

Both computers are on a network named "METRO" however, neither ones seems to recogize the other one as being there. However, if I disconnect the cable which is in between them, it gives the "Network Cable Unplugged" message. What is going on? What do I do to get our system back up-and-running again outside of buying new stuff? :confused:

Help is greatly appreciated. :)
Let me guess, you are not using a cross-over cable. Go to CompUSA and pick one up, that should solve your problems.

[Lacrosse Boy]

Well, see, everything was working before. So I don't know how that could help fix things. The computers are "recognizing" that the other one is there because of me unplugging the calbe between them, but they won't see each other!

I've made great pains to make sure that the workgroups are using the same names, but when I go into the workgroups, Computer 1 shows only Computer 1 being in that window, and Computer 2 is the only one in Computer Two's workgroup.

This is extremely stressful on me. I really want to get this fixed, and can't see why it was working before, but refuses to work now. :(

[Shining Arcanine]

So you do not have a cross over cable? These are the symtoms of using a regular cable to connect two computers, considering that they were working before without a cross over cable, I can say that your computers were either seriously messed up before or had some kind of setting where the hardware would send the upload to the download and pull the download from the upload on one computer.

[Lacrosse Boy]

Well, there were no notable problems. However, a lot of people use them, and people tend to mess around with them, not knowing what they are doing. So now I am not knowing what I am doing trying to fix them! I'll have to try that crossover cable though. Although it is still perplexing to me as to why this has suddenly become a problem when before it worked seamlessly.

[Shining Arcanine]

It sounds like there was a problem (either that or it was a setting) and you didn't notice it as it reversed upload/download, now that it is back to normal, you are noticing that you need a cross over cable for a direct link.

[Lacrosse Boy]

Well, I talked with my boss, and our business is also indirectly tied with McGough Construction, so they're supposed to send someone out here tomorrow or Tuesday to get our problem figured out for us.

Nice working for a family buisness and being tied to another business owned by the same family! :D Now hopefully they'll get to figure this out.

Thanks for your help! I honestly hate Networking. It stresses me out so much!

[Lacrosse Boy]

Well, the problem is now fixed! McGough couldn't come, so I got on the phone with Microsoft, and we got the whole issue straightened out. It had nothing to do with a Crossover Cable; we already had one. It had to do with how the computers were obtaining the IP addresses.

In addition, we now have a bonus: Computer 1 can now access the Internet through Computer 2! Which is good. Definately.

Life just keeps getting better. First it started with me going to Prom, then it went to me getting accepted to the hardest college I applied to which is well-known around the Minnesota area. And now, all of my businesses computer problems are fixed. You have no idea how extatic I am. :D

[Shining Arcanine]

I was wondering how it could have been working to begin with. ^_^;;