Connecting 2 Computers

[Daffy D]

Hi All

I have two computers at home both running Win XP Pro and both connected to the Internet via ADSL modem.

Computer No1 is connected to the modem through LAN port and Computer No2 is connected through the USB port, and that works just fine both computers can access the Internet but not each other.

I would like the two computers to connect to each other for file sharing and such. The user manual for the Modem was not very helpful (or I missed the important bit) and Googling suggests a LAN crossover connection as being the simplest way of doing this.

A LAN connection would mean buying two LAN cards, one for each computer, and several meters of cable so I was wondering if the two computers could be setup to "see" each other with the existing setup.

The modem is Thompson ST536 from TOT it has only one LAN and one USB for connection to the Internet and as both computers "meet" at the Modem seems there should be a way of getting them to "see" each other at that point.

All Ideas, suggestions and viable input for this problem will be welcome.

[Crossy]

The Thompson ST536 is an internet gateway and so has an inbuilt router and firewall rather than being a simple modem.

The simple solution would be to get an Ethernet switch and share the single Ethernet port between both computers. Both would be able to access the net, and would also be able to see each other.

This assumes that the machine using USB also has an available Ethernet port

[Daffy D]

The Thompson ST536 is an internet gateway and so has an inbuilt router and firewall rather than being a simple modem.

The simple solution would be to get an Ethernet switch and share the single Ethernet port between both computers. Both would be able to access the net, and would also be able to see each other.

This assumes that the machine using USB also has an available Ethernet port

Hi Crossy

So that means I disconnect the USB connection for the Internet from Comp No2 and instead use the a Ethernet port for the Internet and for connecton to Comp No1?

OK! so that's only one LAN card and less cable to buy.

I'm guessing the LAN cable would not need to be "Crossover"

[Supernova]

As Crossy mentioned, the easiest solution would be to get an ethernet switch. 10/100 switches are cheap and cost no more than a few hundred baht.

See:

http://www.invadeit.co.th/product/wired-networking/d-link/5-port-10-100-switch-des-1005a-p000066/

[wpcoe]

If you're using Windows Vista or 7, you can use a standard ethernet cable between two computers to access/share files. It would mean temporarily unplugging your current etherenet (RJ45) cable from the "modem" and into an ethernet (RJ45) port in the other computer.

(In earlier versions of Windows, my memory is hazy, but I think you needed a "crossover ethernet cable.")

If you want to connect the computers on a more permanent basis, then yes, buy an ethernet switch above as suggested.

[rijb]

Have you tried this? Network Setup Wizard

[Daffy D]

Have you tried this? Network Setup Wizard

Yes I tried the Home Network Wizard thing.

The one of first thing it says is check you have the correct hardware. Well there's the rub non of the configurations match my current modem set up so didn't get very far.

[keeniau96]

JIB shops here have ZYXel routers and switches. The little ES-105A would be perfect for your application, costs 500 baht. Connect your current router to this switch with ethernet cable, plug into any of the ports on back of the switch. Then plug in the computers into the switch.

[Daffy D]

Sorted - well kindoff.

Was rooting around in my old bits box and found an old 4 port modem.

So having nothing better to do at that moment thought I would try it as an Etheret Switch. I plugged the LAN from the existing modem into one of the ports and then plugged each computer LAN into two of the other ports at the back of the old modem.

So now I had both computers connected to the Internet through the back of this old modem. The old modem was switched on to give power to the ports but not connected to the Internet.

This worked fine both computers were connected to the Internet but not yet to each other. Did the Home network Wizard thing and Voilà! the two computers could now also see each other.

Seems to be working. From computer No1 I can access the shared folder of computer No2.

But

From computer No2 I can see the shared folder of Computer No1 and access the printer but when I try to open the folder I get "Shared Docs is not available - you may not have permission - blah! blah! Not enough server storage to process this command"

I had a look around and all the relevant share files permissions seem to be ticked.

The funny thing is in "View Workgroup Computers" when I try to view Computer No1 "Shared Docs" folder from Computer No1 I get the same error message. I cant view my own shared folder

[Crossy]

It's been a long time since I did anything with XP, but through the haze of age and alcohol I seem to remember that network sharing did odd things if either machine was set to auto log-on without typing a password.

Worth a look and experiment.

[Daffy D]

Neither computers need a password to fire up/log on/and use so wouldn't know where to even start expermenting

I just wonder what the message Not enough server storage to process this command means. Guess I'll have to Google

[Supernova]

Yep, Google is your friend indeed

Click:

http://winhlp.com/node/40

[Daffy D]

Yep, Google is your friend indeed

Yes Iindeed - Seems I'm not the only one with this problem

Simple solution, a quick dive into the registry to fix it.

Cheers