Networking problem

[bkdraft]

I have two computers networked together, a PC and a Sony laptop. I am using a nic card in the PC and the Sony has built in NIC. When I first set this up it worked fine. Now suddenly the system tray icon flashes "Network cable unplugged". If I unplug the cable, they system tray icon just shows a red X. When I plug it back in, it flashes between "Network cable unplugged" and Connection:100Mbs. I have uninstalled the software for the NIC card in the PC and reistalled it, but this did not change anything. The laptop was working fine, I moved from one chair to another and suddenly it would not work anymore. I have re-booted both computers several times, but still no luck. The laptop continually shows red X on the network Icon in system tray. Any ideas?

 

[Tallgeese]

Are these machines directly connected with a crossover cable?

 

[bkdraft]

Yes they are

 

[Heisenberg]

Have you tried another cable? Sounds like an intermittant connection or a short.

 

[bkdraft]

Yes, I tried another cable, same thing. I also tried using a hub, same thing

 

[Heisenberg]

In that case, I would try to see if one computer's NIC is bad. Either use a third computer or try to hook up the laptop somewhere else.

 

[Tallgeese]

what OS?

 

[kerykeion]

To elaborate on the post above, you may want check to see if your NICs are working fine by running a diagnostic program that is usually provided with the drivers.

 

[bkdraft]

PC running Win2k, laptop running WinXP Pro. I have pinged both cards, 127.0.0.1 and both show good. I do not have another NIC card or another computer at home to check with. Can get one by Monday, but not sooner.

 

[Tallgeese]

Always good to first check for the most recent drivers (especially on the XP box).

Also, sounds to me like they are having problems auto-negotiating speed and/or duplex settings.
Set each NIC manually (10 or 100, Half duplex), and see if the problem goes away.

If it doesn't, you have a bad NIC.

HTH

 

[BrianBBB]

Try looking at the connection points on the NIC and the laptop ... maybe something in there is broken and keeping the connectors on the cables from being snug in their places.

 

[bkdraft]

Ok, working now, went back and tried all combinations, the only way it works is to manually set the PC NIC at 10 Full Duplex. Doesnt matter about the laptop, it works anyway you set it, it is now on auto. I am guessing the problem lies with the PC NIC? Maybe get my hands on another one next week and do some more checking. Thanks for all the help!!!

 

[bkdraft]

Down again. was working fine when I turned off the laptop last night, did not shut down PC, it runs 24/7. Got up this morning and turned the laptop back on, no internet. Network shows cable connected, but cannot find either computer from the other, email and browser does not work from laptop. Have tried all the differnet settings on both cards, removed the drivers from laptop and reinstalled, moved the NIC card in PC from one slot to another, reloaded drivers, nothing seams to work today. This is getting very frustrating!!!!

 

[bkdraft]

Back up, did not do anything, just suddenly went back to working. Geesh.