Networking with XP :(

[DoomUK]

I'm (still) having trouble with networking two computers.


Hardware:-

My computer (the host) is using a built-in nVidia LAN contoller (MoBo: http://uk.asus.com/products/mb/socke...d/overview.htm).
The second computer is using a PCI network card (http://uk.special.reserve.co.uk/q_GG...0100_pci_.html). The crossover cable is: http://uk.special.reserve.co.uk/q_GG...network_.html.

OK, both systems are using Windows XP Home SP1. Both are using AOL, my computer is using ADSL broadband, with a USB BT voyager modem (obviously which both computers connect to the internet through, although both do have dial-up modems).

The problem is, we've manged to configure both computers to access my broadband connection, but LAN is a no-no. For example, if I create a game on Far Cry, on LAN, the other computer recoginses the server in the list but can't access it and asks for a IP address. Also, if I try to create a game online, the other computer can't even recognise the game in the server list ...

Any suggestions?

[xtreme35967]

Are you using a Router or are you using Internet Connection Sharring?

[vance43211]

is the host comp using 2 network card? it would be easier to configure

make sure your software firewall is off when you run network setup wizard

use ipconfig (start accessories, command prompt) for ip addresses
then set them with your software firewall.


then click my computer, then to the left, click my network place

if nothing show up, click view workgroup computer, you should see share resoures there

[office politics]

sounds like a firewall problem. to be sure of this, turn off all firewall's (including xp firewall) and try again.

[vance43211]

when you use a router

software firewalls will detect the network properly

with the Internet Connection Sharing route

you have to manually set the ip addresses as trusted

[DoomUK]

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you guys...

I'm not using a router, the two computers are directly linked via a crossover cable.

I've managed to set up Internet Sharing, when you right-click on this in control panel it comes up with a firewall option- presumably this is what you mean by 'software firewall'. But there's also my McAfee firewall; might this be causing problems?

[vance43211]

mcafee is causing it

if it was norton's or zonealarm I would tell you how to set it. I never had mcafee

try to see if it has something like "trusted zones" then manualy enter your ip adresses on both computers

[ayenem]

Try sharing a folder on each and see if you can access it from the other pc. and get back to us afterwards.

[DoomUK]

I've already set up a shared folder, no problems there.

As for McAfee, I've tried completely disabling the firewall and virusscan, but it makes no difference.

EDIT: In the firewall settings, the 2nd computer is a trusted IP... odd.

[vance43211]

do you run the network setup wizard with mcafee off