From: "Rod Gasson" 

"Bob Lawrence" 
wrote in message
news:1086466080{at}p12.f610.n712.z3.ftn...

>  I can't make the network work. Would you answer a few basic dickwit
> questions for me? I'm running Win98 on both computers just now. When I
> ping, it doesn't reach the other computer (from both ends). It's the
> same if I pull the lead out. It pings itself okay.
>
> 1.  Can I simply link the two computers with a 10base T cable, or do I
> need a special null-modem thingie, or a hub?

If using a 10base-T cable (twisted pair) you'll either need to use a hub, OR
a crossover cable.
If using a 10base-2  (coax) you need to ensure that you use a "T" connector
and terminators at both ends of the cable.

Incidently, most modern network cards (including the cheap $10-$15 ones,
based on the RTL8139 chipset) support 100Mhz (ie, 100base-x).

> 2.  Are the lights supposed flicker when I ping?

Yes.

> 3.  How do I tell if one of the netword cards is stuffed?

The easiest way is to substitute the card with a known good one.
Generally speaking though, if you can ping 'localhost' and get a response
then the card is PROBABLY ok.

Oh, don't forget DNS when performing ping tests.  Unless you have a
working/accessable DNS you'll need to use the IP numbers when pinging
because if you use host names you'll probably get a 'host not found' error.
Also check your routing tables. If your routes aren't set up correctly
you'll get a 'no route to host' error message.

There are also other possible causes of non-connectivity but the things
listed above are usually the most common problems/errors.

Cheers
Rod


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