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Start two-computer-network (step by step required)

First of all, I am just a beginner. Please assume I know very little about networking.

I have two notebook computers A and B. Both of them are on Windows 2000 Server.

Computer A has a "Buffalo PCMCIA Cardbus 10/100 LAN Card"
Computer B has a "IBM PCMCIA CardBus 10/100 LAN Card"

I have a cable (CAB48, UTP Stranded Patch Cable, Cable Enhanced CAT.5E, 3M, FULL E164469 (UL) TYPE CM 24AWG/4PR EIA/TIA TSB36 CAT.5 PLUS UTP PATCH CABLE) - I don't know what's that :)

I just want both computers to share files, printer

My question is:

How to make a network with the two computers WITHOUT a hub? Is it so-called a peer-to-peer network?

Is this cable ok? Or, should I buy a "crossover cable"? Please specify the type of cable I should use and whether I need a terminator, T-connectors...etc?

After installing the hardwares, how to set Windows 2000 Server in order to connect the network? Please give me "step by step" instructions! Especially, how to make the two computers recognize each other in network neighbourhood.
(You may assume that I change nothing on setting. And I prefer simple and standard approach.)

Any reference sites are welcomed.

Thanks a million!!

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

stevenlewis

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CYBERWORLD

ASKER

Thanks... But I failed to do that...

First of all, I would like to know whether my cable is a crossover cable. Crossover cable is a UTP with RJ-45??

Also I can't find an option to enable file and printer sharing on windows 2000 environment. Is it already default?

On the other hand, I failed to find another computer. Even the light in my LAN card did not flash at all during searching.

Also, what do you mean by "make sure that netbeui is bound to both NIC"? And how to "use client for microsoft as primary logon then use tcp/ip" in windows 2000 envirnment.

Welcome any other people's inputs.

Thank you stevenlewis.

stevenlewis

You are probably not using a crossover cable, hence no lights
see here for the diagrams for cables, and check the crossover cable diagram vs your cable
http://www.softcom.net/users/fdamico/cable_ties.htm

CYBERWORLD

ASKER

Thanks Steven, I've bought a crossover cable and the network is fine now.

However, I have some problems with the LAN card in my desktop computer.

For the first time I install the LAN card, windows 2000 can use it and the network is fine.

But after I reboot, win2k says that there are hardware problem and cannot even boots. I go to safe-mode, disable the LAN card. Then, restart. It is ok.
When I enable the LAN card, the network is fine again. But if I reboot again, the problem come up again.

Can you help me with this problem?

Thank you very much.

stevenlewis

It sounds like a conflict to me, remove the NIC in device manager, shut down, move the card to another pci slot, boot up and reinstall and see if that fixes it. alos check your bios to see if you are manually assigning the resources for it

CYBERWORLD

ASKER

I have tried that before. But it still has errors. Anyway, I think it is more likely to be a hardware problem rather than networking problem. I will try to post this problem in the hardware section

Thanks

CYBERWORLD

ASKER

The problem is mainly because of using a wrong cable.

stevenlewis

CYBERWORLD Glad you are on your way now
Steve