XP Home to WIN 98 Peer to Peer network

[Mike S.]

Having trouble getting the two machines to talk. Do I need
to have a cross-over cable installed between these or can
I use a straight through? Looking at the lights, I have
link and activity does flash. On the XP unit, the network
cable icon comes up saying that the connection had been
disconnected then re-connected, periodically. Is there a
specific range of IP address that I need to use?
I have just enough knowledge to be dangerous, but not
enough to get this fixed. Please help. Thanks.

[Bob Willard]

Mike S. wrote:
> Having trouble getting the two machines to talk. Do I need
> to have a cross-over cable installed between these or can
> I use a straight through? Looking at the lights, I have
> link and activity does flash. On the XP unit, the network
> cable icon comes up saying that the connection had been
> disconnected then re-connected, periodically. Is there a
> specific range of IP address that I need to use?
> I have just enough knowledge to be dangerous, but not
> enough to get this fixed. Please help. Thanks.

To directly connect the NICs of two PCs together by cable, you
must use a crossover cable. Alternatively, you can use a pair
of standard (patch) cables with a hub or switch or router;
a crossover cable is, in effect, a passive hub.
--
Cheers, Bob