2 PCs LAN fails to work

Hello, before I begin I would like to mention that the language version of my windows is Polish, therefore some commands, names or errors will be just my translations.

For the last 2 days I have been trying to connect my notebook (Win7 Home Premium x64) and PC (XP Home 32bit) with an Ethernet cable. Shortly after plugging the cable into both network cards and setting IPs and Masks I succeeded. The next day it did not work any longer.

The XP PC:
Here, the system can see just itself, the IP is set to 192.168.0.1, and mask is set to 255.255.255.0; the workgroup is set to WORKGROUP, and I configured it with wizard as a network without access to the Internet. net view commands returns just the pc itself I cannot ping notebook (time outs).

The Win7 Notebook:
System and net view command can see both notebook and the XP pc, however only the notebook is accessible. Accessing the XP PC in any ways such as ping command, "\\192.168.0.1\", or "\\PC_NAME\" fails and return 0x80070035 error ( "unable to find the network path"). Actually the ping command returns sth like: "Response from 192.168.0.2(yes, the notebooks IP): Unable to find host". Workgroup is set to WORKGROUP, IP is 192.168.0.2 and Mask is exactly the same as on the PC. The network(which figures as "Unidentified Network") is set to home Network, however I did not create any HomeGroups. Advanced sharing settings seem to be correct too, network detection, sharing, 40 and 56bit sharing is enabled.

I have read dozens of topics similar to this and tried even more solutions, with no result. What I find the most strange is that 2 days ago I could easily browse my notebooks shared files from my XP pc, and the next day - all I did between those 2 tries was watching a movie :P - suddenly it stopped working. I have completely ran out of ideas. I have tried using another network card - the XP PC has 2, re-installing drivers to all cards. I would like to point out that at home (atm i am on vacation) I have been setting up similar networks dozens of times and never experienced any serious obstacles.

edit: I forgot to add that firewalls are off.

Did you set the 192.168.0.1 yourself? That address should be used for the DG unless you've set that statically through your router/l2s...

If you're setting static ips to the laptop and pc, you'll need to set those leases in your router's configuration as well.

Yes, I set IPs manually. I dont use router. I just connect 2 machines using a cable, and dont use any 3rd party hardware. None of the pcs has access to the internet, I just want to create simple LAN, so I could share some files.

It seems you have used a standard Ethernet cable which is straight and can be used to connect two PCs through a hub, a switch or a router.

To connect two PCs directly without a hub, a switch or router, you need a cross-over ethernet cable, which is available in computer shops. Without this cross-over cable you can not establish network connection and ping each other.

If you have already used a cross-over cable then the problem is elsewhere.

Also as you have mentioned the firewalls of both systems should be off or setup to accept other pc by creating exceptions / rules.

Also check TCP/IP properties in both machines and make sure that you have installed Client for Microsoft Networks and File and Printer sharing for Microsoft Networks.

Make Window XP's IP as 192.168.0.1 and Window 7's as 192.168.0.2

Enter 192.168.0.1 as default gateway and primary DNS server in both machines.

Use a single workgroup name (anything) for both machines.

Try to ping one machine to other to check connectivity.

If you have internet connection on XP then enable internet connection sharing (ICS) on the network card connected to internet to get internet on both machines, the network card connected to internet will have public IP, and the two private IPs to internal LAN network cards.

Wireless LAN
---------------
If you have a wireless LAN card on your XP desktop, you can have a local LAN through wireless (assuming your notebook already has WLAN card).

If not you can always add a wireless PCI card or a USB Alpha Wireless Enhanced network device or a Wireless USB ethernet device to the desktop.

Apart from adding an additional network card that would allow wireless connection, none of the solutions helped. Atm buying additional components is not posrible. I believe the cable is cross-over, for I have used it in past for a few times, and had no problems with. The only possibility that would include cable failure is that it got damaged. I have been using it outside in the past. But would I be able to see the xp pc from my notebook if it was so?

I think it is solved. Due to lack of ideas, I reversed the cable by plugging the end which was so far plugged to the notebook into the pc and vice-versa. This helped. Well, propably it wasnt reversing the cable that helped, but moving it a bit, what propably connected some broken wires inside. Thx everyone who tried.

The ethernet cable whether straight or cross-over are bi-directional and can be connected eitherway. As you mentioned the cable either had a loose connection in the RJ45 plugs or damaged somewhere.

It is better to replace the cable to prevent future network outages.