Cannot connect laptop to desktop

Hi, when I got my laptop about 3 weeks ago I was able to connect it to my desktop(which had a DSL connection) via crossover cable, "ethernet port to ethernet port ". Everything worked fine for weeks. Well, about a week ago I enabled ICS(internet connection sharing) on both computers so I could share files and the printer. After I enabled that and restarted both computers there was no connection on either the laptop or desktop.So,after this i decided to disable the ICS and just go back to the LAN connection using the crossover cable, like before. After I disabled ICS on both computers I was able to get the internet on the desktop since it's connected to DSL. but when I connected my laptop to the desktop via crossover cable i got the typical "limited or no connectivity" error message. I think i tried about everything offered on this web forum. The update, unplugging DSL modem, the reg-fix,the fixs in the services; and right now I even automatically configured the IP addresses for the LAN connection on both computers. Due to the fact, that when I connected both computers It would say "acquiring network address" that took about 15 seconds then the error message came up. So, after doing just about everything on this forum and restarted computers when I plugged the crossover cable in, they both say connected(for the LAN connection). desktop still can access the web, however the laptop cannot access any web page, even though the LAN connection says connected. And both computers can ping each other.

I have no idea what to do here. I think I tried everything. I've been troubleshooting for hours a day and still no web access on the laptop.

Desktop: Win xp home,SP2, DSL modem, and ethernet input for crossover cable

Laptop: Win xp Pro,newly installed SP2, ethernet input for cable.

If you have any suggestions of any kind, I would most definitely appreciate them.Thank you for reading.

Jay12035

 

I think you have an addressing issue. I suggest you set up the network cards like this:

Desktop
IP Address: 192.168.0.1
Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway and DNS: leave blank - let the internet connection sort out your DNS, and it will be the gateway for this PC, so you don't need to set a gateway at the network card.

Laptop
IP Address: 192.168.0.2
Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.0.1
DNS: The IP address of your ISP's DNS servers. If you don't know these, connect to the internet on the Desktop PC and on that PC type the following at a command prompt:

ipconfig /all

This will cause a listing of you IP settings to be shown, including the DNS setting assigned to the internet connection. Use the same DNS IP addresses for the laptop.

 

I tried that. It says they are connected. Both PC's can ping each other, however no web access on the laptop. Though, it says acquiring network address on both LAN connections, and that takes mabye 15 seconds then it says connected. But still, no web access on the laptop. Any ideas? thanks for your suggestions.

 

Have you tried booting into safe mode with networking? Also have you recently installed a firewall? ICS is not for file sharing. Depending on how many IP add. your ISP gives you, a router or a switch will solve this problem.

 

Doh!!! I didn't think of that!

Of course, you're still sharing a connection and only one IP. So while my solution will give you a connection to the other PC, it won't let you share the external IP address of that PC, and therefore the laptop doesn't have a valid external IP address and therefore can't access the internet.

You could try running through the ICS wizard again and see if it now works.

However, as jdc071391 suggests, the best option is to invest in a broadband router. This will allow you to share the internet connection and provide a link between the two PCs. Make sure you get a router that matches your connection. A DSL router is not the same as an ADSL router. Porbably easiest to ask you ISP for advice on which router to get.

 

Gotta go along with jdc071391 and ReggieB and their Router suggestion.

I did it YEARS ago and it has paid off BIG TIME.

And along with the Internet I more recently installed a Printer that plugs into the Router.

But !! A few words of friendly advice. ( from lessons learned the bad language making way ) If you do get a Router, make sure it and the Modem are fed from a power source other than the some one as the machines so that they do not get shut off.

BillyBob

 

Even better, make sure you get a router with a modem built in. Set up is much easier, and you only have one device to remember to keep on while connecting to the internet.

 

Aliright that would work..but I just don't see why I can't go back to what I was using before. that was a whole lot easier..compared to using a router and then re-configuring everything. A simple crossover cable going from networking adapter to networking adapter would seem ideal. I don't want to use the ICS anymore I just want to go back to what i was doing before. However, if I go to properties in the LAN settings(on the laptop) and let the computer automatically assign me a IP address it gives me the incorrect IP "169.254. etc.." but when I assigned it an IP address like directed above.. It eventually says connected but still no web access for the laptop. And the desktop does have Norton's, but i disabled the auto-protect to see if that would help. I do have AV software on the laptop that I have disabled, but still no web access. Could it possibly be the Broswer? Also, how do you boot into safemode with networking?

The crossover cable does not connect though the DSL modem. It connects directly to PC( to the networking adapter input). I did have zonealarm installed on the laptop but I already un-installed that.

I'm not actually using this connection for file sharing. It's initially just a simple LAN connection which allows the laptop to gain access to the web. Any thoughts?

 

Yes a simple crossover cable and sharing does work. No question about it.

But with the Router etc.YOU WILL NOT BE depending on just one machine for everything.

With the crossover cable if the main machine tackes a trip South NOBODY will get to the Internet until it comes back North.

With the Router etc. each machine is set up with its' own connection and does not need to rely on another machine. You can also still share things between machines if you wish to.

And with the Router, it asigns addresses. All three of my machines are asigned addresses in the order that they are turned on.

I have 3 machines on the LAN using the Router. But each machine is a COMPLETE STAND ALONE UNIT. No one depends on anybody for anything.

The only thing that does get left on is the Printer.

If i have muddled things up I hope some one will straighten me out.

But again. and Last but not least. With the Router ecah machine can be set up to work and go online all by itslef.

BillyBob

 

Something that I forgot.

Connecting machines using a Router DOES NOT use Crossover Cables. A different type is used.

But I realy think that if you were to go ahead and get the Router and LAN setup you would eventually appreciate it. If for no other resaon than one machine not depending on the other for anything.

BillyBob

 

So I can't go back to the default LAN settings?

 

No i don't think so. And I'm not sure if it's possible. When I first connected both PC's, the LAN connection was just the default.(on both machines). Such as when you play local area network games you use this same default configuration.Though I can't seem to get it back to the default settings like it used to be. And I was suggested to go and by a router. I'm sure there's an easier way to solve this problem.

 

From A guy that has walked the road that you are on.

I do not believe that there is any easier way to get things setup here than to INSTALL A ROUTER.

You may think right now that you dont need it. But if you were to install one I think you would change your mind very quickly.

Holy Smokes ! I just realized that all three of my machines are on-line. And one of them is even using the Printer to print stuff from online.

And I believe that right here is a great place to add;
I could shut this machine down right now and it woulld have no effect on the other. Thanks to a Linksys Router.

BillyBob

 

I FORGOT.

If you do get a Router, don't forget to get new proper cables.

BillyBob