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54 Posts
0
6318
July 5th, 2006 05:00
Direct computer connection troubles
I am trying to connect my Inspiron 6000 (laptop) and Dimension 4600 (desktop) together via a cross-over cable, and maybe even share the wireless internet connection my laptop gets (Internet Connection Sharing).
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Connection between the two:
I want to connect the two computers (via the cross over cable) to share files.
I have run into a problem: for no apparent reason, the connection between the two will "die." I have to disable and than re-enable the connection on the D4600 and I6000 for it to work again. (As a side note: the connection also has "limited or no connectivity" at all times, even when I can access files on the other computer. The IP address for the wired LAN connection on the dekstop is 169.254.231.203 and the laptop is 169.254.180.20; the subnet mask for both is 255.255.0.0.)
A few months ago, I was able to setup Internet Connection Sharing (connect to the Internet on the desktop via the laptops wireless connection) and share files without any problem (no "limited or no connectivity" issues), but I had to format my laptop for other reasons, and I have not been able to figure it out since than.
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Internet Connection Sharing:
A few months ago, I was able to do this, but lately, no luck.
When I go to the Wireless Connection properties and select "Allow other network users to connect through this computers Internet Connection," it gives me an error, "An error occured while Internet Connection Sharing was being enabled. Internet Connection Sharing cannot be enabled. A LAN connection is already configured with the IP address that is required for automatic IP addressing."
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Both machines are running Windows XP Home SP2. Security software is Symantec Anti-virus and ZoneAlarm (free version) latest version.
As I said, a few months ago I was able to do this with no problems, but for some reason not anymore. My main thing is just to share files.
Any help would be great!
Thanks ahead of time,
James
---
Connection between the two:
I want to connect the two computers (via the cross over cable) to share files.
I have run into a problem: for no apparent reason, the connection between the two will "die." I have to disable and than re-enable the connection on the D4600 and I6000 for it to work again. (As a side note: the connection also has "limited or no connectivity" at all times, even when I can access files on the other computer. The IP address for the wired LAN connection on the dekstop is 169.254.231.203 and the laptop is 169.254.180.20; the subnet mask for both is 255.255.0.0.)
A few months ago, I was able to setup Internet Connection Sharing (connect to the Internet on the desktop via the laptops wireless connection) and share files without any problem (no "limited or no connectivity" issues), but I had to format my laptop for other reasons, and I have not been able to figure it out since than.
--
Internet Connection Sharing:
A few months ago, I was able to do this, but lately, no luck.
When I go to the Wireless Connection properties and select "Allow other network users to connect through this computers Internet Connection," it gives me an error, "An error occured while Internet Connection Sharing was being enabled. Internet Connection Sharing cannot be enabled. A LAN connection is already configured with the IP address that is required for automatic IP addressing."
---
Both machines are running Windows XP Home SP2. Security software is Symantec Anti-virus and ZoneAlarm (free version) latest version.
As I said, a few months ago I was able to do this with no problems, but for some reason not anymore. My main thing is just to share files.
Any help would be great!
Thanks ahead of time,
James
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jdwssll
373 Posts
0
July 5th, 2006 09:00
The easiest solution is to skip thw ICS protocol and invest in a wireless router. This link will show you a variety of options available:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Page=1&Nty=1&N=0&Submit=ENE&Description=wireless+routers&Ntk=all
rwm32
557 Posts
0
July 5th, 2006 12:00
You need to change these IP addresses. The laptop wired connection needs to be 192.168.0.1, subnet 255.255.255.0
The desktop needs to be in the range 192.168.0.2 to 192.168.0.254, subnet 255.255.255.0. Default Gateway 192.168.0.1. Preferred DNS server: 192.168.0.1.
You can get at these settings by going into Network Connections, right-click on the ethernet adaptor, select Properties. Then scroll down the list of protocols until you see TCP/IP, and double-click on it.
Once you've done that, you should be able to enable ICS on your laptop's wireless connection. If it doesn't all hook up as planned, test it without any firewall. Also worth downloading and running winsockfix (widely available: google it) if you've had any spyware / adware problems.
Message Edited by rwm32 on 07-05-200602:00 PM
jmk1986
54 Posts
0
July 6th, 2006 04:00
The settings rwm32 described worked for computer-to-computer connectivity, but, when I enabled my wireless connection, Internet Explorer and Firefox couldn't get online.
After much tinkering around, and just about to give up hope, I found a fix.
I used the original IP addresses I gave, 169.254.231.203 for the desktop, and 169.254.180.20 for the laptop, and the 255.255.0.0 subnet mask for both, but made them static, versus the "automatic" the connection had as default. (I did not use a default gateway or preferred DNS server).
After applying these, verifying the cpu-to-cpu connection worked, I enabled my laptops wireless connection, and, I could get online on my laptop! I'm not going to worry about trying to setup ICS, because, my main thing now works, and, how things always turn out for me, "if it's not broke, don't fix it."
jdwssll - ive thought about purchasing a wireless router, but, i get my internet from my friend a few rooms down the hall, and you can only be connected to one wireless network at a time... thus my choice for this setup.