[JeffO]

Hi, yes I have done a search on this and have read just about everything I can find, but I'm not getting anywhere. Here's the situation:

iMac 17" FP OSX 10.2.3

PC with WIndows XP Home

I have the two computers connected with crossover cable and I am trying to establish a connection, but I'm not getting anywhere.

From the Mac side I've gone into sharing and turned on Personal & Windows file sharing. Then go to "connect ot Server" from the finder. I can't tell if the othere PC is being recognized or not. How can I tell?


From the PC side I am trying to set up a network so that I can obtain an IP address. I keep getting this damn wizard that is supposed to make my life wonderful--but it ain't happening! Not only am I unable to configure a LAN connection (it just doesn't appear to be an option in the wizard) I cannot FIND let alone assign an IP address.

I suspect that the problem is in the configuration of XP, but I don't know what the heck I'm doing. Four hours ago I thought this would be a cinch.

Can someone "hold my hand" through this process, I'd be very grateful.

By the way, I've read the supposed "step-by-step" instructions on macfixitforums.com and they seem very detailed, but I'm obviously missing something. Please tell my this is an easy fix!

Thanks,

Jeff

[ghporter]

XP sets up network cards, by default, to request automatic IP addresses. With your setup, there's no server to provide the address, so your network card can't talk.

Go to Start and select Control Panel. Click on "Network and Internet Connections, and then select Network Connections. You should see an icon for your network card. Click on it. You should now see a number of new items in the left-hand pane, including "Set up a home or small office network." Click on that link, and a wizard will open to walk you through your tasks.

You'll probably have to specify your IP address. In the Network properties of your Mac, you'll find its address-it assigns its own if it doesn't get one automatically. Copy all four sets of numbers. If you get 169.1.1.1 from your Mac, make up an address for your PC like 169.1.1.100-far enough away for elbow room, but still only changing the last group.

Let us know how things go.

[JeffO]

Thanks for the reply. I have followed your instructions but I am not getting anywhere. When I go into "Network and Internet Connections" and choose "Network Connections" I am shown two options in the right hand window:

Dial-up --this is my modem and internet connection

LAN or High Speed Internet--listed as a 1394 Connection, enabled,1394 Net adaptor.

I assume that I am to select the second option (LAN)

I click on this and choose the "set up a home or small office network" this starts the wizard.

The wizard ask "select a connection method" I choose "other" since it best describes my setup (I've tried them all!!)

Next wizard question: "Other Internet methods...." I choose one.

Next wizard question: Select your internet connection from the following list. I choose 1394 Net Adaptor (again I've tried both choices) ( Why is it asking about my internet connection when I'm trying to configure a LAN?? I dunno)

Next:"Give this computer a description and name" Description=UPSTAIRS Name=OFFICE

Next "Name your network" Workgroup name=WORKGROUP (I remember reading somehwere that this is the correct name as it matches the Mac OSX)

Next the wizard shows the settings that it is about to apply--it looks OK to me but I don't know what to look for...

Next the wonderful wizard configures my computer (for something)

I am asked to run the wizard on each of the computers on my network. Obviously I cannot on the Mac so I click "Finish"

The wizard then congratulates me on sucessfully setting up this computer for home or small office networking. Great! Well, kinda great since nothing seems to have changed....

I was never prompted for an IP address and I know that this must be part of the solution.

Help...please?

Thanks

[pat++]

To set the ip address of the ethernet card, select connections in the start menu, then right click on the connection corresponding to the ethernet card, choose properties. It should not be far away... (I guess it's setup to automatic/dhcp)

[ghporter]

Yes, Pat is right. I don't use the wizards-as you can probably understand, since they tend to aim at a combination of novice and geek, instead of at least offering the option of going with "clueless" or "net-master" paths-so I was going from memory.

Anyway, go from Start to Control Panel to Network Connection. When your ethernet card's icon is displayed, RIGHT CLICK on it and select Properties.

In Properties, make sure the General tab is selected, and scroll down in the window in the middle until you see "Internet Protocol." Highlight it, and click the Properties button.

Now, you should see two radio buttons, with the "Obtain an IP address automatically" one selected. Select the other one ("Use the following IP address:") and enter your chosen IP in the box provided. In the subnet mask box, enter "255.255.255.0," and in the Default Gateway box, enter your chosen IP.

Sorry for the misdirection with the wizard; I forgot I was talking about Microsoft's baby.