Hi, I have a PC running windows xp home sp2 which I am trying to connect via lan cable to a laptop running windows xp pro sp2, unfortunately when I connect the computers, no network registers. The network cards are installed but are both the same (Realtek RL8139). I have connected each computer to a separate laptop with the same cable and in each instance the network is setup but when connected to each other it doesn't work, the lights on the network cards don't even flash. Please help!

Are you using a crossover cable?

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Originally Posted by tec_hno07

Hi, i have a pc running windows xp home sp2 which i am trying to connect via lan cable to a laptop running windows xp pro sp2, unfortunately when i connect the computers, no network registers. the network cards are installed but are both the same (Realtek RL8139). i have connected each computer to a seperate laptop with the same cable and in each instance the network is setup but when connected to each other it doesn't work, the lights on the network cards dont even flash. Please help!

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What is a crossover cable, I'm very dum.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tec_hno07

Hi, i have a pc running windows xp home sp2 which i am trying to connect via lan cable to a laptop running windows xp pro sp2, unfortunately when i connect the computers, no network registers. the network cards are installed but are both the same (Realtek RL8139). i have connected each computer to a seperate laptop with the same cable and in each instance the network is setup but when connected to each other it doesn't work, the lights on the network cards dont even flash. Please help!

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Sorry guys I'm very dum yes I am using a crossover cable

If you don't get lights on the network card when you plug in, the cable isn't a crossover.

Ethernet network on category 5 cables uses pins 1 and 2, and 3 and 6. The others are unused. Normal Ethernet cables connect 1 to 1, 2 to 2, 3 to 3, 6 to 6. The others are connected too, but as I said, not used.

A crossover cable connects 1 to 3, 2 to 6, etc. Look at the cable ends in good light, and you should be able to relate the colors to pin numbers. Actually that isn't even needed, just look to see if the color sequence is the same on both ends.

A common wiring scheme is called EIA/TIA T568B. The T568A standard is slightly less common. Cables wired to either scheme can be used interchangeably, as long as it's the same at both ends and the wiring in the walls is consistent. If the ends are different it's either a crossover cable or just miswired.

T568A wiring uses:
White+Green pin 1
Green pin 2
White+Orange pin 3
Blue pin 4
White+Blue pin 5
Orange pin 6
White_Brown pin 7
Brown pin 8

T568B is similar, except
Wht+Org pin 1
Org pin 2
Wht+Grn pin 3
Grn pin 6

Bottom line is, make sure the cable is a category 5, 5e, or 6, and make sure it's got pins 1 & 3 swapped over from one end to the other, and likewise pins 2 and 6.

Now, if you're using a hub/switch/router, ALL the cables should be straight-through, not crossed over.

-T