Problem Networking PC to Laptop

webley445

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 16, 2001
Messages
1,353
Location
St. Pete, Fl.
Got the ole lady a Dell Laptop for Xmas. Just the basic model for school, she didn't want fancy and is also not the most PC savy. So I figure network it to the home PC (EMachine) and they can share the printer, internet, files.

Now I am no idiot when it comes to computers, but I am no expert either and this is my first try at networking. I get a Cat5 cable and go thru the network wizard. The Emachine gives me a "error" message. But I can access the shared file thru both. The problem is no internet connection going to the laptop, the E is the host.
Of course, as usual when working on the PC, I got frustrated and very, um perturbed to where I had to walk away. But not until after I called Dell for help. Of course I told them off and hung up, because the help I was requesting was not in my "contract" and I would have to pay for it.
So right now I'm working on splitting the line to the cable modem and will run a separate line to each unit. Haven't tried printing from the laptop yet, but I kinda get the feeling that will not work either.
That won't be a problem, I suppose, as the notebook came with a free printer (hmm...looking remarkably similar to my Lexmark printer-also feeling apprehension after see the recent Dell cartridge thread). So I can have a dedicated printer for each unit.
Anyways, I'd appreciate any insights or advice anyone could toss out, but please, layman's terms. Sometimes folks start throwing out PC gab assuming I know it all and some of it goes over my head.

Oh two other things. On the laptop, the toolbar keeps displaying an icon that says "network connection not working" click it and it reads "network cable is unplugged". Well, the cable is there, in the proper hole, so whats the deal? (this is the kind of stuff that makes me yell out loud:xyxgun: ).
And on the host PC, I ended up creating 2 networks, so how do I delete the one I'm not using?
 

carrot

Flashaholic
Joined
Dec 6, 2005
Messages
9,236
Location
New York City
To split the line, a router is your best bet -- you can get them on sale for $30 or less. Wireless router would be even better..

If you're directly connecting the two machines together, you need something called a crossover ethernet cable -- don't hold me to this, because I'm not 100% sure -- so try and borrow one first.

Don't get too put off -- everyone knows Windows networking can be a real PITA.
 

BF Hammer

Enlightened
Joined
Feb 15, 2003
Messages
481
Location
Wisconsin, USA
A straight Cat5 cable directly connected between 2 PC's will not work-ever. Straight Cat5 cables need to be run between a node (any device on a network) and a switch (or hub).

That does require a "crossover" cable so 2 of the twisted pairs of wire in the cable make the correct connection (like a RS232 null-modem).

This is not the ideal way to do this though. Since you are using a cable modem for your internet, you should buy a gateway/router/switch. They usually cost well under $100, often under $50. You might need another straight Cat5 cable (total of 3 needed for your setup). The modem should be connected to the WAN port of the router, and the 2 PC's connected to ports on the LAN side.

Consult cable modem manuals or FAQ online for your cable provider for more details on this hookup. It basically makes a 2 device local network and both machines will have easy access to internet.
 
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