Member Avatar for slikbaz

basically i want to set up a LAN to share files and play games between my laptop and desktop. both have built in realtek network adapters. i could ping both machines from each other and found out i was using a patch cable. i went out and bought a belkin CAT5e crossover patch cable but the same thing happens. it says that the cable needs a 10/100 base-T network card . mine connects at 100 mbps so is it ok ? do i have to run the wizard again ? step by step would be appreciated . thanks

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Brief diagnosis tied to the existing posts: has working Realtek NICs that negotiate at 100 Mbps and reported successful pings, so the electrical link is up. The "cable needs a 10/100 base-T network card" message is commonly a Network Setup Wizard/OS detection message, not necessarily a literal NIC-speed fault. 's router question and ' suggestion to use a small switch/router are valid — a simple switch makes setup and Internet sharing easier — while was correct that access problems often come from sharing/firewall settings rather than the physical link.

Practical checklist (ordered, manual configuration is more reliable than the wizard):

  1. Verify link/LEDs and adapter status show a connection at 100 Mbps/Full Duplex.
  2. Set static IPv4 addresses on both PCs (no gateway needed for a direct link):
    • PC A: 192.168.0.1 mask 255.255.255.0
    • PC B: 192.168.0.2 mask 255.255.255.0
  3. Temporarily disable software firewalls and test connectivity with ping 192.168.0.2.
  4. Enable File and Printer Sharing and create or use local accounts for access; access shares via \\192.168.0.2 and provide the target machine’s local credentials if prompted.
  5. If the OS reports cable-type errors, try the other cable (straight vs crossover) — many NICs support Auto-MDI/MDIX so either may work — and update Realtek drivers. Also check the NIC speed/duplex setting; avoid a manual duplex mismatch.

If direct cable keeps failing, put a cheap unmanaged switch or home router between the two NICs (simpler, and needed when sharing Internet). For gaming, a router also handles NAT and port forwarding for online play; hosting on a direct cable may require extra configuration. Ignore the phone number in ’s post — that looks like off-topic spam. When further diagnosis is needed, useful details are: OS version, exact error text, adapter model, link-LED behavior, and ping results.

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Member Avatar for aeinstein

Will you be connecting either/both computer(s) to the internet, say via a router?

Member Avatar for arnold12

I too had the same problem after connecting the 10/100 base-T Network card i can operate a laptop and desktop same at a time.

Member Avatar for arnold12

I too had the same problem after connecting the 10/100 base-T Network card i can operate a laptop and desktop same at a time.
===========================================================arnold

Member Avatar for OlyComputers

I'd suggest saving yourself a lot of trouble and get a cheap router, switch, or hub to put between them. It will make it a whole lot less complicated and let you share internet connectivity at the same time.

Member Avatar for Iridium

They need to have the same workgroup name. if you go to start > run > type the IP address of the other computer "\\x.x.x.x" it should either say not accessible or you do not have access or it could present you a username and password. if you get a username and password, it needs to be the one used on the other computer. the best way to do it is create another account on each of the computers to allow access and set access permissions on a workgroup environment. if you can ping the other computer, then it's no longer a hardware issue. routers and switches will just aid in the communication logically and physically but not allow access to files and folders on other computers on the network. it's how the network properties in each computer in a workgroup is set-up that get the file and printer sharing going.

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