I often use a laptop standalone, but on occasion I need to connect it to
the
other PC via a Cat5e crossover connection.
The laptop is running WxpPro and the PC Win98.
If the PC is booted up AFTER connecting the two together, then I do not
have any problems, but if the PC is already booted up and I then connect
the
cable- it can take up to five minutes before I can detect it in "Search
for
computers" from either PC.
I sometimes use the laptop when visiting other customers with network
problems so that I can analyse which computer is having the networking
problem - hence only fixing the dodgy one, so it's an irritating issue
when
I have to wait so long before it starts to search.


In Windows XP disable the network connection, then renable it. This will
force it to recognise the network. If you are using TC/IP automatic
addressing this may not work. Also make sure NETBIOS over TC/IP is enabled
on both computers. Another method would be to use IPX/SPX or NETBEUI on both
computers but the setup would be slower than your present wait and probably
wouldn't help with your diagnosis :-)

Kerry Brown
KDB Systems