Networking XP and 98

Hi,

I am trying to network my Win-XP Pro desktop with my Win 98SE laptop to share files, printer and internet connection. I read through some of the similar threads here and took the advice (running the Internet Connection Sharing wizard on the 98 machine etc) but have hit a roadblock. Despite having everything connected the XP wizard insists the cable (CAT 5 crossover) is not plugged in.

The desktop uses a Realtek RTL8139 NIC and the laptop uses a Xircom CreditCard Ethernet 10/100+/Modem 56 with Minidock CEM56. Both devices are reported as working correctly by their respective machines. The Xircom card has functioned perfectly as a modem but I haven't tried it out fully on a network. I did, however, plug it into a network port at work and the lights on the minidock flashed. I have not been able to test the Realtek card.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Allan

 

Don't know much about that modem, but if you have a non-crossover cable, try that. Shouldn't there be a light showing both ends if the cabling is correct?

 

I've seen a number of instances where laptop Ethernet cards didn't work with a crossover cable, one was discussed here recently. I'd spend $10-15 for a small hub and connect both machines to that. My guess is you'll get past the NIC not connected issue.