2 Vista PC's Crossover cable dilema

Hi all,
Total newbie to networking. I have 2 pc's running Vista Ultimate directly connected with a crossover cable. I thought my PC's would find these connections and setup would be P&P more or less.
What am i not doing that i should be doing.
PC1 is connected to the internet via usb and Zyxel router.

PS.
I did everything that FRANKSTER recommended to tom.s.smith in a similar thread but still get a network error

Please help

What is the ip address that you are having on both the pc? Also specify the subnet mask and gateway. What exactly are you trying to do?

Hi, Thanks for the reply.

I have 192.168.1.1 and 255.255.255.0 respectively on the first and 192.168.1.2 and 255.255.255.0 on the second. I have nothing configured for the Gateway address

I am trying link this second Vista PC to my main PC for my wife to be able to use the net and files from my main PC.

Kind regards
John

Try to set this on the second machine
192.168.1.2 (ip address)
255.255.255.0 (subnet mask)
192.168.1.1 (Gateway)

and see whether it works or not.

I've done what you suggested, with no luck. Everything i've read about this setup sounds so simple but cannot get complete step by step tutorial.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated

reagrds
John

Hmm...Then you need to make your files accessible over the network

Hi again, It comes up 'UNIDENTIFIED NETWORK'. I have Network discovery and file sharing enabled, any ideas !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Regards
John

Isn't your systems on the same workgroup (such as "WORKGROUP" for both the Vista machine) and have you disabled your firewall?

Hi, I have disabled the Windows firewall and yes they are both WORKGROUP.
The other thing is when i disable 'Obtain an IP Address automatically' and enter 192.168.1.1 and 255.255.255.0 manually in the Network and Sharing Centre it briefly shows 'Multiple Networks' and then almost immediately changes to 'Unidentified Network' and i lose my connection to the internet. This is the same on machine 2.
To get access to the net i have to select 'Obtain an IP Address automatically' on machine 1.

Does this make any sense to you.

I have been working with computers for over 20 years now and i have nearly always been able to sort out my own problems with PC's. I've been building my own PC's for nearly ten of those, but i have never dabbled with any form of networking issues before. I am doing a lot of head scratching at the moment and would really like to understand and fix this issue if possible.

regards
John

What exact network message are you getting ?
Have you tried to ping from both the nodes (pc) ?

please post your ipconfig results from both computers.

Also check for similar threads at bottom of this thread for some queries with answers to your question.

Quote:

---

To get access to the net i have to select 'Obtain an IP Address automatically' on machine 1.

---

What ip, subnet mask and gateway are you getting on first machine after this?

Hi, I have disabled the Windows firewall and yes they are both WORKGROUP.
The other thing is when i disable 'Obtain an IP Address automatically' and enter 192.168.1.1 and 255.255.255.0 manually in the Network and Sharing Centre it briefly shows 'Multiple Networks' and then almost immediately changes to 'Unidentified Network' and i lose my connection to the internet. This is the same on machine 2.
To get access to the net i have to select 'Obtain an IP Address automatically' on machine 1.

Does this make any sense to you.

I have been working with computers for over 20 years now and i have nearly always been able to sort out my own problems with PC's. I've been building my own PC's for nearly ten of those, but i have never dabbled with any form of networking issues before. I am doing a lot of head scratching at the moment and would really like to understand and fix this issue if possible.

regards
John

Does this help with anything, this is the data from the first computer

C:\Users\Administrator>ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration


Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 4:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::dcc4:3363:785:d786%15
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.33
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 2:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 2001:0:d5c7:a2ca:24ff:d722:b1ef:9c87
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::24ff:d722:b1ef:9c87%10
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : ::

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 12:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

C:\Users\Administrator>

So in that case, set the following configuration on the second computer

IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.30
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.33

Reply me if that works.

Hi, That never worked either, It still shows 'Unidentified Network'.
Everything i've read about this setup suggests the process and application is pretty simple !!!!!. Should i disconnect from my broadband router ?

Thanks anyway for all your help

Regards
John

Which router are you using? Please mention the model and version. Also have a look at this.