LAPPY & DESKY NOT PLAYING BALL.

[uripyores]

Two pooters, desktop & laptop.
desktop direct connect to modem/wall adsl...
laptop to desktop with crossover cable. Today, the mouse at the desktop froze so I checked the cable etc and just got a spare and plugged it in.Worked ok...still is. Something was wrong it seemed [a few other oddities.] so I did a scannow and then all seemed ok. Went off to use the laptop and it keeps telling me the cable is unplugged so reinstalled modem, reset up home-small office blah blah,still said unplugged.Tried it the other way round [eg laptop as main connection]as well..still says unplugged.The crossover cable is a couple of months old...doesnt look damaged or anything.They both work when connected separately to the modem/adsl.
Done virus checks etc etc all ok.
Any help appreciated here.[I can't get another cable till monday.....todays saturday....I can feel the withdrawal symptoms startin' already. I need lappy for de bedroom.]
Thanks.

[z1p]

Rich, I feel bad that we haven't found anyone with a suggestion, you are also so willing to help out around here. I feel even worst that I don't have any ideas. It sounds quite likely that the cable has gone belly-up or one of the NICs. When the cable is connected, do you get any lights on the NICs. Did you check the status of the NICs in the device manager?

Hope you survive! May be its divine intervention so you don't end up like the guy in NY, dead from overposting.

-z1p

[uripyores]

Maybe you're right about the cable, I've been gettin earache all day for being on the wife's puter. I'll get a new cable in the morning and try it, meanwhile I'll go and double check the nics.
Thanks for the reply.

Dunno if it means anything, I would think probably it does,but in the event viewer there's a disk error timed at every 30 secs over a long 2 day period....so I'm about to try another hard disk. Strangely [to me] it's running ok apart from the ICS thing.

[z1p]

Have you tried running chkdsk to see if the disk can be repaired? you may have a few bad blocks, if that is the case they should be able to be remapped. I'd still keep an eye on the disk and keep my backup up to date.

[uripyores]

I think that I did chkdsk, but anyway I did it again just in case...also the event viewer hasn't got any errors mentioned since 36 hours ago...before that there was a huge long list all identical, 1 every 30 or 60 secs.
In network connections it's got;
network bridge
1394 realtek
local area connection
The local area one has the red cross through it,saying its unplugged.
The network adaptors say they are ok.
I'll see if a new cable helps later...it's 2AM here now, gotta go bed.
Thanks.

[z1p]

thx for the update. hope the new cable does the trick. if not we'll have to see what we can do.

-z1p

[uripyores]

I got a new cable and it says exactly the same as before "unplugged" so at least that rules out the cable I think. I need to know if there's any easy way of double checking the nics without removing them or replacing them. As you can probably tell I'm basically a n00b at networking so I do appreciate any help at all.

Added info:
Here's what I get when I ipconfig /renew.

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.
C:\Documents and Settings\RSDP>ipconfig /renew
Windows IP Configuration
The operation failed as no adapter is in the state permissible for
this operation.
C:\Documents and Settings\RSDP>ipconfig
Windows IP Configuration

Ethernet adapter Network Bridge (Network Bridge) 4:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
PPP adapter Speedtouch Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 82.2.89.66
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 82.2.89.66

Should I be concerned about the word "failed" above?

[z1p]

Ok I have a couple of questions for you. Is your IP from your ISP static or dynamic? Your ipconfig output seems to indicate that it is set to static on your PC. (This may be why you got the error on the ipconfig/renew)

Also, are you using ICS to access the internet from the laptop through the desktop, or are you using a network bridge or neither?

[bAdWaYz]

In network connections it's got; network bridge
1394 realtek
local area connection

Not to jump in z1p's thread as he is more than able to help just wanted to say I saw that you had a bridge icon

[z1p]

I feel insulted that you thought I missed that.


That's partly why I asked whether ICS or bridge. I guess I could be a bit up front about what I'm thinking, but I try not to confuse others with my wandering mine. I saw he had a network bridge with a private IP and that his PPP adaptor had on IP thats registered in amsterdam and he says he's from the UK. Now with how things are over in Europe, that may be his ISPs address, but it seems odd. The question is how is the network suppose to setup...

[bAdWaYz]

Well hell I missed it the first time I read the thread lol

[uripyores]

The laptop went through the desktop with ICS. I was under the impression it was a dynamic address. How could I tell? My ISP [Virgin.net] is not very helpful, even if I could have got through to them.
So anyway, I brought this other computer over and set them up the same as they were before, with the replacement one taking the place of the desktop one connecting via the modem [adsl] directly. The laptop is now going through that one via the crossover cable and it now all works after a lot of messin' about. I'll have to keep trying with the other one though cause this one might have to go back.
I really am from England, all I can think about that is Virgin use a company called Alcatel to supply the broadband modems for their customers and as they are a Belgian they could be registered in nearby[to them] Amsterdam.
About the "bridge"; when I set up the two for ICS a "network bridge" appears in network connections, so presumably I use ICS with a network bridge ??? Or am I barking up the wrong tree there?
I'm gonna try a PCI network card next.


Thanks for the help.

[z1p]

Well, the good news is that you now know the desktop connected to the DSL modem is configured correctly. We just need to nail down what is wrong with the laptop. On the replacement machine that is working, can you run ipconfig so we can see what it has for an IP?

[uripyores]

The laptop now works going through the replacement desktop.All 3 connect separately but only the replacement one and the laptop work with the crossover cable.

These are the results I get:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.
C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>ipconfig
Windows IP Configuration

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 2:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 0.1.0.4
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
PPP adapter Speedtouch Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 82.3.243.106
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 82.3.243.106

This is without the laptop on when it was done.
And this is from the desktop thats ok. Or seems to be.
I'll be able to try a pci network adaptor on the previous desktop on thurs or friday. Right now it has the integrated type.
In network connections its got:

Speedtouch Connection
Connected,Shared,Firewalled
USB ADSL PPP
Local Area Connection
Network cable unplugged,Firewalled [RED CROSS THROUGH THIS]
VIA Rhine 11 Fast Ethernet Adapter
Local Area Connection 2
Connected, Firewalled
Microsoft TV/Video Connection

No mention of a bridge this time.
[The Speedtouch is the Belgian Alcatel modem]
Thanks for perservering.

[z1p]

sorry, I read your other post incorrectly. So the laptop is correct, but something is amiss with the 1st desktop. You configured ICS on the new desktop?

On the original I'd blow away the bridge, give it a go. If it's still not working, turn off ICS, reboot and turn it back on. (I'm just poking here as it sounds like you've been doing everything correct)