How do I connect my laptop to my desktop.

[arnoldoh]

Hi, I want to connect my laptop to my desktop. My laptop is P3 800mhz, 192mb, and running on Windows ME. My desktop is P2 400mhz, 96mb, and running on Windows 98. Someone told me that I can connect them as network by connecting the ethernet cards with cross-over cable. I did that and ran the home-networking wizard from my Windows ME and followed the direction, but it didn't work. I am not very familiar with the networking stuff, so please help me with this problem. Thank you for your help.

[bassman]

Hello Arnoldoh and welcome,
ME can be a bugger to get the network stuff working just right.
Here are a list of things to check first,
After you have gone thru the whole network wizard, have you shut the machines off for an hour or longer?
Did you run the setup disk from the ME machine on the 98 machine?
R click on Network Places and see what protocals are installed.
Also check to see if "File and Print Sharing" are installed.
Are you sure that each machine has a unique name and the workgroup is the same? Caps count.
Have you shared any of your devices?
That should be enough to get us started http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Let us know and we will see what we can do http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif


------------------
Please let us know if what we suggest helps. This helps us help you better.

[arnoldoh]

Yes, I ran the setup created from ME on 98, I did it over night and when it didn't work I jsut went to sleep, so I guess I did shut if off for more than an hour. The protocols installed on my ME machine are (TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, and internet connection sharing) On my 98 machine (TCP/IP, IPX/SPX). I have printer, file, and internet connection sharing. And they are unique names.Thanks for your help http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[bassman]

OK, for starters, get rid of the IPX/SPX protocals. They won't cause you problems, but they are not needed on your system.
Next, install NetBEUI protocal.
If you are using the windows internet connection sharing, get rid of it until the network is functioning correctly.
Next, have you Shared any devices?
And when you say "It didn't work", what exactly did happen?
Have you got any of the Windows updates on these machines?
You can get them HERE (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/)

We will get this http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

------------------
Please let us know if what we suggest helps. This helps us help you better.

[iisbob]

Use Direct Cable Connection-you need a male/male parrellel cable and about 5 minutes to set your desktop as host and laptop as guest.

No protocols need to be configured, this is a simple one-way transfer of files.


if you need to do file&print sharing then follow Bassman's advice.

------------------
iisbob
"Bachelors should be heavily taxed. It's not fair that some men should be happier than others."
-- Oscar Wilde

[arnoldoh]

I did as you said but it still doesn't works. No, I haven't shared any files. When I say it doesn't work, I mean that when I click on the network neighborhood I don't see the other computer. Sometimes it would say that I can't access the network. I think it might have to do with the fact that the light on the network card on my desktop doesn't turn on as it should. Thanks for all you help.

[mjc]

If your NIC is not properly working the yeah...I'd say it wouldn't see the network. So first check for conflicts with the NIC (device manager right click on My Computer -> Properties...do the same in safe mode), try uninstalling the drivers for the non-functional NIC and reinstalling them...

------------------
mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.