Networking Problem - Laptop and PC

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bdw

  • #1
    In my home office I have networked my laptop and my PC on a workgroup with a direct CAT5 connection. The laptop is running Vista and the PC Windows XP.

    Every time I reboot my PC the network link on the laptop drops out. I have tried messing around with the settings but it seems the only way I can get it back is to reboot the laptop after rebooting the PC.

    Does anyone know if there is a setting somewhere on either the PC or laptop that can be changed to let them talk to each other without having to reboot? This is getting really annoying.
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    B

    bdw

  • #5
    I am connected via a direct connection (no router). I have to assume that the lead is OK. Apart from this problem it has been working for almost three years. I am fairly sure it is not a hardware problem as it only occurs when I reboot my PC.
     
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    B

    bdw

  • #8
    KM-Tiger
    My PC uses cable broadband with Internet connection sharing enabled .
    The broadband card is set to obtain the address automatically.
    The PC LAN card is set to 192.168.0.1
    The Laptop LAN card is set to obtain the address automatically.

    James, I have emailed the info you requested to you.
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    MartCactus

    MartCactus

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    Sep 25, 2007
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  • #9
    bdw said:
    I am connected via a direct connection (no router). I have to assume that the lead is OK. Apart from this problem it has been working for almost three years. I am fairly sure it is not a hardware problem as it only occurs when I reboot my PC.
    Click to expand...

    Its difficult to ascertain from what you've posted but where is the Laptop plugged into? The broadband "box" or the PC?
     
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    stugster

    stugster

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    Feb 1, 2007
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  • #11
    There's nothing on your network giving out an IP address (DHCP).

    If you've got your PC and Laptop connected via a direct CAT5, then this is probably causing issues too. You really want a cross-over cable if you're doing it this way, and you'll also need to assign an IP to the laptop if you don't have a DHCP server.

    You're probably better off connecting the Cable Modem to a router of some kind (Linksys WRT54G/N is a good shout) and then connecting both devices to that via the cable.

    If you've got your PC connected to your cable modem directly, the only thing between you and the hackers is a software firewall. Do you trust it?
     
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    D

    Deleted member 76523

  • #14
    Hi,

    I have just read this post and laughed out loud at some of the advice given here today!

    Most modern network cards are AUTO SENSING, this means the NIC identifies it is connected to another PC etc and configures its self accordingly...IT ISN'T THE CABLE and IT ISN'T THE HARDWARE. This will be a simple network setting, DHCP is designed along with DHCP servers so service multiple clients on a large network i.e MORE THAN TWO MACHINES.

    With any luck the advice given will be

    1) set up internet sharing on the machine with the internet connection
    2) set up static IP addressing on the NIC's for both machines

    well there is a little more to it on the networking front, but come on chaps. If your going to give advice give GOOD ADVICE!

    Good luck,

    Jon
     
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    D

    Deleted member 76523

  • #16
    bdw said:
    In my home office I have networked my laptop and my PC on a workgroup with a direct CAT5 connection. The laptop is running Vista and the PC Windows XP.

    Every time I reboot my PC the network link on the laptop drops out. I have tried messing around with the settings but it seems the only way I can get it back is to reboot the laptop after rebooting the PC.

    Does anyone know if there is a setting somewhere on either the PC or laptop that can be changed to let them talk to each other without having to reboot? This is getting really annoying.
    .
    .
    Click to expand...


    Read the above - key words

    "Every time I reboot my PC the network link on the laptop drops out" and"direct CAT5 connection"

    Meaning, it works therefore the two machines are connecting with a direct CAT5 cable at least once the problem is reconnecting.

    Hence assuming it is a standard Cat5 cable and not a crossover the problem is most likely to be a hardware or Software problem. As is indicated here the only change is a reboot then clearly the NIC's have connectivity the addressing is playing up...

    Unless I have missed something the only way that this can happen is if the NIC's auto sense or he is already using a crossover cable already.
     
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    D

    Deleted member 76523

  • #18
    that is because that wasn't asked. and is a separate issue I am not consulting for them just advising on the task at hand
    .

    And by the way when you set ICS up it by default sets the machine sharing the connection to behave as a (simple) DHCP server. ICS is not a viable corporate solution but that is not what we are talking about. This is home networking at its simplest using a MS wizard.

    The host machine will have an ip of 192.168.0.1 and the others will have .2 .3

    If you still want to argue with me please read the Microsoft knowledge base articles 306126 (can't past link as don't have 15 posts). and when you have a come back, keep reading some more.

    BTW that is the last I will say on the matter as I am here to help people not play top trumps with you!

    BTW I am right
     
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    mit74

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    Jun 4, 2010
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  • #20
    if the network has worked for 3 years we can rule out the wrong type of hardware or cable. You can check which cable you have by looking at the wiring (maybe difficult if the ends arent transparent). If the colours are in the exact same position on both ends then you have a standard cat5 patch. If the 2 ends don't match then it's a crossover.

    The first things I would check is:

    1) Disable all security and firewalls to elimanate software causing the problem (disconnect from internet first).
    2) Cable damage (replace cable)
    3) Network Card failing (replace network card)
    4) Double check settings to see if anything has been changed.
    5) If all else fails reconfigure the network from scratch.

    I realise replacing hardware on a home network with a laptop is difficult so I may be easier to get another laptop and test that one to see if it drops out. At least you'll know it's more likely to be a problem on the desktop settings.
     
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    stugster

    stugster

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  • #22
    Aww. Don't do that. I'll sit here feeling sorry for you now that you've published your intentions publicly.

    I'm trying very hard to work out what your issue is with me. I've posted a few bits and pieces, you've come back with nonsense like: "that is because that wasn't asked."

    I simply asked what you're on about. Is English not your first language? Is there a misunderstanding?
     
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    Pentangle

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    Feb 11, 2010
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  • #23
    I wouldn't rise to the bait, Stugster. Jon Quinnell sounds like he's got a limited set of networking knowledge and wants to beat everyone else about it with a baseball bat.

    As regards the OP's issue, I would suggest he needs to look at hard-coding the NIC duplex settings in the adapter properties. Change it from Auto-detect to 100-Full, or whatever seems to allow uninterrupted flow between both devices -just ensure both are set the same. This stems from poor interpretation of an RFC by the various NIC manufacturers, hence NICs from different manufacturers will sometimes not autonegotiate properly and will end up with poor/runting frames with lots of retransmissions and/or loss of service.
     
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    K

    KM-Tiger

    Free Member
    Aug 10, 2003
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  • #24
    Pentangle said:
    I wouldn't rise to the bait, Stugster.
    Click to expand...
    No, don't.

    Diagnosing network problems where things *should* work, but actually *don't* work is not always easy. Until hardware and cable faults are totally eliminated then all bets are off as to the real cause.

    As regards the OP's issue, I would suggest he needs to look at hard-coding the NIC duplex settings in the adapter properties. Change it from Auto-detect to 100-Full, or whatever seems to allow uninterrupted flow between both devices -just ensure both are set the same. This stems from poor interpretation of an RFC by the various NIC manufacturers, hence NICs from different manufacturers will sometimes not autonegotiate properly and will end up with poor/runting frames with lots of retransmissions and/or loss of service.
    Click to expand...

    It could be that, that's certainly something that I've seen, and sometimes with the manifestation "I've changed the network card to a different one and it's working OK now".
     
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    B

    bdw

  • #25
    I don't mean to be ungrateful and it would appear that the poster who knew it all has now gone but ...
    I have just read this post and laughed out loud at some of the advice given here today!
    Click to expand...
    If your going to give advice give GOOD ADVICE!
    Click to expand...
    BTW that is the last I will say on the matter as I am here to help people not play top trumps with you!
    Click to expand...
    BTW I am right
    Click to expand...
    These arenot quotes that are likely to endear anyone to the poster. He then says...
    If stugster is typical of this form I am no longer a member.
    Click to expand...
    Wow!

    Thanks for all the advice (even if it was wrong). I am still looking at this.

    .
     
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