WinXP Crossover problem

I'm trying to crossover video game files from my WinXP desktop to my WinXP laptop (specs below). i have all the necessary hardware installed such as the ethernet pci adapter for my desktop, and the crossover cable for the link.
As you probably already know, XP's auto-create their own networks when linked. but when i plug in the crossover cable, the network is shown on the network connections window as having limited or no connectivity. when i go to status for local area connection 3 (the crossover connection) and click on the support tab the connection status box says "you might not be able to access the internet or some network resources. this problem occurred because the network did not assign a network address to the computer." next i click on details and it shows the values for the physical address, IP address, and subnet mask. the values for default gateway, DNS server, and WINS server remain blank. if i go back to the support tab on the local area connection status window, and click repair, a window pops up and tells me that "windows is taking the following action: renewing your IP address". after about 30 seconds, the text in this window is replced with this "widows could not finish repairing the problem because the following action could not be completed: renewing your IP address. for assistance, contact the person who manages your network". this problem is identical for my WinXP laptop and my WinXP desktop.
as promised, here are the specs:
Hp pavillion desktop with 1.1 GHz processor; 128 MB RAM; 40 GB ultra DMA hard drive; CD-ROM upgraded to a lite-on DVD-ROM; designed for Microsoft Windows XP.
Hp pavillion dv4000 series laptop with 400 MHz FSB; 2 MB L2 Cache; 80 GB hard drive; intel pro/wireless 2200 802.11b/g WLAN.

P.S. I've got a bet going with myself that you'll tell me to buy a new crossover cable.

 

computer #1 in the properties/tcp/ip set dns number to
192.168.0.1
computer 2
192.168.0.2
name the network 'mshome'
name each computer a different name
reboot,
should work

 

It sounds like both of your computers are configured so that their NICs get their IP configuration via DHCP, which is normal.

However, if you're connecting the two together via a crossover cable, with no other network connections, then you've effectively created a 2-node LAN, and so, the NICs don't have any way to get their configuration via DHCP, since there's no DHCP server available.

This being the case, you need to set the two computers up to use static IP addresses, and to be on the same network.

A possible configuration:

Desktop:

IP address: 192.168.99.1
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

Laptop:

IP address: 192.168.99.2
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

You don't need a default gateway in this configuration, as there's no place for packets addressed to outside networks to go anyway.

You can set this up in under Network Connections, properties, of the local area connection that corresponds to each NIC. Highlight TCP/IP, Click Properties.

Change the option that reads "Obtain an IP address automatically" to "Use the following IP address", and fill in the fields as detailed above. As stated, leave the default gateway blank.

You can leave the option "Obtain DNS server address automatically" the way that it is, since if you the instructions that follow, name resolution via DNS won't matter, either.

Once it's done on both computers, and the crossover cable is connected, all you need to do is establish a drive mapping from the laptop to the desktop. You can do this via the desktop's hidden C: drive share, as follows:

On the laptop: Open My Computer. Click on Tools, Map Network Drive.

You'll get a dialog box whose title reads "Map Network Drive". You can leave the Drive at Z:

In the Folder field, type:

\\192.168.99.1\C$

Then, click the "Connect using a different user name" option. You'll get another dialog box, titled "Connect As..."

In the User name field, type in the name of a user that has Administrator rights on the desktop PC.

In the password field, type in the password for that user.

Click OK.

You'll be returned to the "Map Network Drive" dialog box. Click Finish.

If you did everything correctly, and your crossover cable is good, you'll get a window titled "Z:\", and it will contain all of the files/folders in the root of your desktop computer's C: drive. Browse to wherever the files that you wish to copy are located, select them and copy them to wherever you want on your laptop's C: drive.

Once done, reverse the above. First, close the Z: drive window. In the My Computer window, click on Tools, Disconnect Network Drive. In the window that appears, select the Z: drive, then click OK. You'll be returned to the "My Computer" window. Close it.

Now, go back to the network connection properties that you changed, and put them back to DHCP.

Hope this helps! I do something similar here at home: My work-issued laptop is joined to the corporate Active Directory tree, and so there's no easy/desireable way to put into the workgroup that I have here at home, so I just attach to the hidden shares on my home PCs directly, and disconnect when I'm done. The only difference is that I have a Firewall/Switch/Router/WAP to which I can connect, so I don't have to mess around with crossover cables or change the IP configurations.

Regards,

dj

 

Try manually configuring your computer as djlowe explains.

Does one computer have XP Home and the other XP Pro? My friend and I have had big problems connecting an XP Home and an XP Pro computers together with a crossover cable, or through a switch. We have both completed CCNA 1 and CCNA 2, so we know we are doing everything right. We put a third computer on the network (XP Pro) and everything started to work right, even after we unplugged it and hooked our two back up with a crossover cable.

Why would you say this, 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.0.2 are not even valid IP addresses.

 

Thanks a lot everybody, you guys could start a new world order (you certainly know more about networks than the guys at microsoft and circuit city). I got the network up, but i was wondering if there might be a quicker way to share files than the "map network drive" approach. don't feel any need to answer that little query, you've already done enough to make me extatic from connecting the computers, and i fear i may explode if i get any happier!

 

rather, i just found out that the "map network drive" approach doesn't work (sorry djlowe). when i punch in the user name and password, then click "ok" and "finish", a window pops up saying that "the network path \\192.168.99.1\C$ could not be found". a friend is coming over who might be able to help me but you (djlowe in particular) practically invented networks! this is hope fully my last update on this thread, except the thank you if someone helps me.

 

Let's say you wnt to share the C: drive. Right click on it and select properties. Then go to the sharing tab. Click on the "I understand the risks..." Then click "Share this folder on the network". If you want other computers to be able to modify your files then click "allow network users change my files." Apply the settings.

Hop onto your other computer and go to "My Network Places." You should see the shared folder in the window.

PS- You cannot share the "Program Files" folder. If anyone knows how to, please tell me.

A band of geeks can top any normal salesman or tech support guy. Unless they happen to be a geek. Plus, quite a few of us are A+, CCNA, or CCNP certified.

 

I'm still not able to send files between computers! It says on "network connections" that the network is connected and running at 100.0 MBps (what an oddly stable and large number) but it seems as though the computers are not connected, here is another thing that may be a touch strange: each computer has sent over 300 packets after being connected for 3 minutes, but neither has recieved any! this strengthens my suspicions that the wire is faulty, then again, could they be sending info to the wrong IP?

 

One of these problems I ecountered was a connection with packets being sent from both computers, but none being recieved by either. Here is how we accidentally resolved the problem. If you can, get a hold of some straight through cables and a switch or hub. Maybe that friend might have some of these. You will also need a third computer for this. Hook up the two computers to the switch. Then, add the third computer to the network. Your network should be working now. I have found that doing this works the best when this problem occurs. I have successfully fixed this problem by doing this to a P2P network for Win 98 to Win 98, Win 98 to Win 2000, Win XP Home to Win XP Pro. You can disconnect the third computer and hook the two back up with a crossover cable.

Note: This may not work for you, but after hours of troubleshooting I have found this the only thing that works for me with this issue.

Also 100Mbs is a standard connection speed for a LAN.

 

according to the "general" tab on "sytem" located on the control panel, both computers are WinXP home edition, version 2002, service pack 2. I don't see anything about WinXP Pro, but your idea sounds great, I'll try and get the third comp and the other stuff, and get back to you on how it works.
It may be a few months before i can afford the hardware or find a friend who has everything i need, so it may be a while before i return to this page.

 

Sounds good. I would really like to know your results, or if you find out another solution tell me, please.

 

I can't let that lie, sorry. That's complete rubbish. My router is 192.168.0.1. My servers are somewhere in 192.168.0.5-20. My wireless connections are somewhere in 192.168.0.50-70. Guess what, they work!

It's within the Class C network range (192 to 223.x.x.x), and perfectly valid. 192.168.x.x is pretty standard format for home networking equipment.

No offense intended, I just needed to get that fact straight.

Oh and my input: Try another cable. The limited connectivity error beforehand makes me think it might be a hardware issue here. Also, run ipconfig /all on both computers and post the output here if you're still having problems.

 

I'm sorry, I must not have been using my head at the time. I don't know what I was thinking, I probably thought I saw the network address of 192.168.1.0 and 192.168.2.0.

 

No problem Easy mistake to make, we've got it straight now so it's all good

 

#1. I'd like to let goldfish know that I ran both "ipconfig" and then "ipconfig /all" on both computers simultaneously (almost). and... OH MY GOD! goldfish, if you want anything, money, power, you name it! the network works! halleluyah! (i might have a few problems still, so keep checking up please)

 

false alarm, i dunno what went on right there, i clicked on my network places on my laptop, and found files that were already on my laptop.
to goldfish: when i ran ipconfig /all, a window flashed up on both computers that looked like something you would see on safeboot, it was only up for half a second, but i think i saw the ip addresses of both computers on each window, so they must've gotten SOME connection. i used your ipconfig trick with everything else that pacvan told me to do, but none of it worked.
oh, and remember i said #1 on my last reply?
#2. I just wanted to clarify that i still have dial-up, not cable, and i am not trying to set up a home network, just a crossover connection.
#3. I got kind of pissed off just today when i bought 5 rewriteable cd's, and realized that my DVD-ROM DID NOT HAVE CD BURNING CAPABILITY! so i'm back to the crossover plan, as i do not have the budget, nor the space on my computer, for a new ROM.

 

This should be on already by default but just in case it isnt you should go and check to see is File and Print sharing is enabled on both computers.

Right click My Network Places
click properties
Right click Local Area Connection
click properties

In the window you should see something that says File and Printer sharing for Microsoft Networks. If it is there Make sure the box by it is checked.
If it isnt there then click install and it should be in services but im not sure.if it isnt look in client.

Hope you get it fixed.

 

just another quick piece of input: i think my connection is labeled as local area connection 3 on net connections, could the computers be mistaking my crossover wire for a CAT5? another reasoin i think this is because a crossover net only needs that physical addresses, but the computers seem to need eachothers ip's for this connection.
P.S. there are no other connections on the net connections window other than our dial up, and LAN 3.

 

a crossover cable is a cat5 and they do need ip addresses.


if you can you should really try pacvans post about using a switch or hub and some straight through cables. i really dont know why you would need a third computer though.

im saying try that because a while back i was trying to connect an xp home machine to a win98 machine witha crossover cable and i couldnt get it to work for anything. it would show that they was connected but i couldnt ping or share files. So i hooked both computers up to a switch and i could ping and share files.

 

I think it would be useful at this juncture to see the outputs from the ipconfig /all from both machines.

Pacvan, click on Start --> Run ---> Type 'cmd' --> hit enter and you will get a black DOS Command Prompt window appear. At the prompt, type ipconfig /all and hit return. Now click the icon in the top left corner or the window to display the drop down menu and click Edit --> Select All. Click the same icon again and Clcick Edit --> Copy. Paste the information in a reply windown on this formum.

Repeat this for the other machine and we can take a look at the input.

I would also suggest creating a new folder on both machines, right clicking it and enabling File Sharing. Do this on both machines. For example, on the desktop machine, create a folder called 'Share', Right Click it, Select Sharing and Security, make sure that 'Share this folder on the Network' and 'Allow network users to change my files' are selected. Try connecting to folder on the machines from the other one. I have had instances in similar environments where the connection will only work one way.

Are you running any firewall software? Is the Windows firewall software running? If so, try disabling this to test, we can always get it working again afterwards.

Hope this helps,

Pete

 

My apologies, the last post should have been directed to half_mad, sorry pacvan

 

I just bought a hub and two FASTCAT5e's, and that doesn't work either, the situation is identical to the crossover. oh, and i can't get the ipconfig info over from my laptop on to my desktop, so i'm going to unplug my desktop from dial-up, and login on my laptop as half_mad, agaIN. but before i do that, the ipconfig info with the hub plugged in is below the crossover info.

Here's the readout on the desktop with the crossover:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner>ipconfig \all

Error: unrecongnized or incomplete command line.

USAGE:
ipconfig [/? | /all | /renew [adapter] | /release [adapter] |
/flushdns | /displaydns | /registerdns |
/showclassid adapter |
/setclassid adapter [classid] ]

where
adapter Connection name
(wildcard characters * and ? allowed, see examples)

Options:
/? Display this help message
/all Display full configuration information.
/release Release the IP address for the specified adapter.
/renew Renew the IP address for the specified adapter.
/flushdns Purges the DNS Resolver cache.
/registerdns Refreshes all DHCP leases and re-registers DNS names
/displaydns Display the contents of the DNS Resolver Cache.
/showclassid Displays all the dhcp class IDs allowed for adapter.
/setclassid Modifies the dhcp class id.

The default is to display only the IP address, subnet mask and
default gateway for each adapter bound to TCP/IP.

For Release and Renew, if no adapter name is specified, then the IP address
leases for all adapters bound to TCP/IP will be released or renewed.

For Setclassid, if no ClassId is specified, then the ClassId is removed.

Examples:
> ipconfig ... Show information.
> ipconfig /all ... Show detailed information
> ipconfig /renew ... renew all adapters
> ipconfig /renew EL* ... renew any connection that has its
name starting with EL
> ipconfig /release *Con* ... release all matching connections,
eg. "Local Area Connection 1" or
"Local Area Connection 2"

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : COMPUTER
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 3:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Linksys LNE100TX(v5) Fast Ethernet A
dapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-12-17-52-7E-6D
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.99.1
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

PPP adapter hevanetcom:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-53-45-00-00-00
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 67.136.156.111
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 67.136.156.111
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 209.63.0.6
207.173.86.6
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner>

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner>

HERE IS WITH THE HUB

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : COMPUTER
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 3:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Linksys LNE100TX(v5) Fast Ethernet A
dapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-12-17-52-7E-6D

PPP adapter hevanetcom:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-53-45-00-00-00
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 67.136.156.111
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 67.136.156.111
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 209.63.0.6
207.173.86.6
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner>

 

sorry, the hub wasn't plugged in when i posted it's info:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : COMPUTER
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 3:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Linksys LNE100TX(v5) Fast Ethernet A
dapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-12-17-52-7E-6D
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.99.1
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

PPP adapter hevanetcom:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-53-45-00-00-00
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 67.136.156.111
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 67.136.156.111
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 209.63.0.6
207.173.86.6
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner>

 

my last post was for the desktop ipconfig, and i think the crossover cable may have been plugged in instead of the hub

so, here's the laptop crossover info:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\cole mercer>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Cole
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Eth
ernet NIC
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0A-E4-D4-C5-0A
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.99.2
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network
Connection
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-12-F0-A8-34-07

PPP adapter Dial-up Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-53-45-00-00-00
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 67.136.155.176
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 67.136.155.176
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 209.63.0.6
207.173.86.6

C:\Documents and Settings\cole mercer>

and here is the laptop hub info

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\cole mercer>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Cole
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Eth
ernet NIC
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0A-E4-D4-C5-0A
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.99.2
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network
Connection
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-12-F0-A8-34-07

PPP adapter Dial-up Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-53-45-00-00-00
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 67.136.155.176
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 67.136.155.176
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 209.63.0.6
207.173.86.6

C:\Documents and Settings\cole mercer>

 

pedros, ironman, goldfish, pacvan! you asked for the ipconfig info, can i get some feedback now as to the problem and how to fix it? (my first sentence rhymed)

 

i dont really know what else to tell you other than it could quite possibly be compatibility issues between realtek and linksys nics.

 

thanks ironman, i'll look into that, all i have left to say is that i only have a few days left in which to figure out what's wrong, or return the hub and cables. i'd really rather figure out what's wrong, that's why I posted this thread.

 

yesterday i went over to a friend's house, linked my laptop to his desktop with a hub, and ran ipconfig /all, it still did not work, and the comand screen showed that i was missing a few things that he was not. iprouting and WINS proxy were not enabled on my computer, but they were enabled on his, how can i fix this?
also, what is dhcp? and how would i enable it? if you answer these questions, i MAY be able to fix this myself.

 

DHCP is a service that allows your P.C. to be assigned an I.P. address from a dhcp server such as a router. If not enabled, you you to manually assign an I.P. (static).

edit: oops, you enable it by right clicking on your NIC card (in network connections) and in the cards properties you select Internet protocol (TCPIP) and click on properties. Then click on "obtain an IP address automatically". Hope that helps.

 

so he had ip routng on and it didnt work. ip routing was on on your desktop also and it didnt work. i dont know if that has anything to do with it or not but it could be. i dont have any experience in using ip routing so i dont know if thats the problem or not. i know i didnt have ip routing on on 2 computers i networked with a crossover cable and they worked. ill try t find some more information about ip routing.

 

Hey, I know this reply is comming AGES after this thread was made but im having the same problem only im using wireless to connect to an access point. I've tried everything. I plugged in all kinds of ips for my username and used subnet masks such as 255.255.0.0 and 255.255.255.0... etc. Its all not working. I even put the ip to automatic but i get the same problem as the beggining of this thread "The following could not be proccessed: Renewing the ip". Did anyone find the solution for this?

 

I have problems too. I've tried everything I can think of and all you have suggested. I realized though that when I do ipconfig/all both computers list themselves as the host. How do I change this?