SezMe
post-pre-born
This is probably really simple for you network guys, but I am stumped. Here is the setup:
I have a desktop machine I use as my main software development machine. It is not on a network (I am
self-employed and I use a dial-up modem for internet access). I do have a NIC which has its IP address set at
10.0.0.1 and Subnet mask set at 255.0.0.0 This machine runs Win2K/SP4.
I also have a laptop that I take with me to client sites (it also is running Win2K/SP4). I use this laptop to do work at
client sites, to upload new files to their network and download files from their network to my laptop. Obviously I have
a NIC in the laptop. When I am at a client site, I set the TCP/IP properties to "Obtain an IP address automatically"
and have had no problems at any of my client locations.
Back at home, I connect my laptop to my desktop via a null modem cable. I just reset the IP address to 10.0.0.2 on
the laptop and the two machines happily talk to each other and I can transfer files back and forth easily. I have
successfully used this setup for more than 4 years...until yesterday.
Now the two machines won't recognize each other. When I try to map a network drive from the laptop to the
desktop, the laptop will struggle with the request then finally give up and say (essentially) I can't find the other
computer. When I do this, I can watch the little icons in the system trey try to talk with each other, but without
success.
I have rebooted both machines several times. I have pulled and reinserted the null modem cable at both ends. Both
systems say the NIC is working. Both systems say their status is "connected". No other hardware has been installed
or changed. But now I can't get the two machines to talk to each other.
Look, I'm not a hardware or network guy. I just do bits and bytes with software. What possibly could be wrong and
how can I proceed with further testing to isolate the problem? And, more importantly, to fix it.
Thanks in advance.
I have a desktop machine I use as my main software development machine. It is not on a network (I am
self-employed and I use a dial-up modem for internet access). I do have a NIC which has its IP address set at
10.0.0.1 and Subnet mask set at 255.0.0.0 This machine runs Win2K/SP4.
I also have a laptop that I take with me to client sites (it also is running Win2K/SP4). I use this laptop to do work at
client sites, to upload new files to their network and download files from their network to my laptop. Obviously I have
a NIC in the laptop. When I am at a client site, I set the TCP/IP properties to "Obtain an IP address automatically"
and have had no problems at any of my client locations.
Back at home, I connect my laptop to my desktop via a null modem cable. I just reset the IP address to 10.0.0.2 on
the laptop and the two machines happily talk to each other and I can transfer files back and forth easily. I have
successfully used this setup for more than 4 years...until yesterday.
Now the two machines won't recognize each other. When I try to map a network drive from the laptop to the
desktop, the laptop will struggle with the request then finally give up and say (essentially) I can't find the other
computer. When I do this, I can watch the little icons in the system trey try to talk with each other, but without
success.
I have rebooted both machines several times. I have pulled and reinserted the null modem cable at both ends. Both
systems say the NIC is working. Both systems say their status is "connected". No other hardware has been installed
or changed. But now I can't get the two machines to talk to each other.
Look, I'm not a hardware or network guy. I just do bits and bytes with software. What possibly could be wrong and
how can I proceed with further testing to isolate the problem? And, more importantly, to fix it.
Thanks in advance.
