Connect a PC and Laptop over a network

[darnee]

I have read many tutorials on this topic but nothing seems to work.
Well I have a desktop PC running XP and my friend has a laptop running XP. I want to connect them over a network for file sharing. Both of us have ethernet cards installed. I tried connecting them together with the help of a crossover cable, but none of the machines recognize another.

Even Remote Desktop connection doesn't work. What are the exact things I need to do to connect these over a network.

Thanks in advance.

[hellnoire]

How about a router and two straight-thou cables?

[INDRANIL]

Hi darnee You want to connect your pc with your friend's laptop using crossover cable, you need little setup on local area connection. After connecting both of them open network connection and select local area connection (which you are connected). Now right click on it and open properties select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) once more click on properties & select "use the following ip address" option. Now enter 192.168.1.1 mask 255.255.255.0 & for your friend 192.168.1.2 mask 255.255.255.0 (you can also use any private range. 10.0.0.0 - 10.255.255.255, 172.16.0.0 - 172.31.255.255, 192.168.0.0 - 192.168.255.255). For optimal functioning, it is useful to check whether the network computers are part of the same workgroup. To do this, just right-click the workspace and select "properties". Under the tab "Computer name" you will see the name of the computer as well as the workgroup to which it belongs. The "workgroup" must be same for both. Now restart both pc & laptop. After the restart ping them. You are done. Hope this might help you .

[Raymond]

INDRANIL is right on.
If you are simply connecting two computers via a crossover cable, you will first need to set a static IP address and subnet mask.
Then followed by the same workgroup for easier file sharing.

Example scenario.
Computer A IP Address: 192.168.1.1
Computer B IP Address: 192.168.1.2

On computer A, go to Start > Run and type cmd. Then type ping 192.168.1.2 and hit enter. If you get a response, go to Start > Run and type \\192.168.1.2 to access the shared folders available on computer B.

To share a folder in computer B, right click on the folder and select Sharing and Security. Check Share this folder on the network to share that folder.

[Vibhanshu]

4 things to be keep in mind when connecting 2 computers with cross cable
1.) Computer Name Should Not To Be Same
2.) IP Address Should Not To Be Same
3.) Workgroup Name Should Be Same
4.) Firewall Must Be Configured Properly

[darnee]

Thanks all of you for your replies. I didn't know anything about the TCP/IP part. I thought just connecting both them with a crossover cable was enough as both them had same the OS. Will try this out soon and tell you the results.

[INDRANIL]

Ok just follow the steps said above. It is easy .

[darnee]

Hey thanks again. Just connected both them the way you guys told and it worked perfectly.