LAN not working

[Mystic]

ok, I have a LAN set up using 2 computers in my home, the computers can copy files from each other in network neighborhood so I know they are able to communicate, I also use the same connections (not the same cable though) to connect to my cable modem with both computers whenever Im online but for some reason none of my games will see the LAN, these include legacy (in wondows), quake 2, GTA 2 and trackmania.

anyone got any ideas??

Im not using a hub, just using a crossover cable to directly connect them to each other but it works fine for sharing/copying files

[Planky]

How are you sharing the connection? ICS? What exactly do you do when you use the modem?

If your using XP, you might find the firewall is being turned on whenever you use the cable modem...

[Shakadi]

Well, this happened with my friends computer, though I'm not sure if it'll help here.

In the bottom right there should be 2 computer screens. Right click, hit status.

Hit properties.

Hit Install

Select Protocol, hit Add.

Look for something called "Internet Protcol (TCP/IP)"

Install it.

May not work though. It did let my friends lap-top play Diablo with me though, as the game before doing this wouldn't recognize the LAN either.

[Mystic]

Im not sharing the connection, I have a cable modem, it connects to my pc through my network card, when Im not online I take the modems cable out and insert the lan cable, (the cables look the same but are not).

I have the tcp/ip protocol already, I wouldnt be able to post here if I never had it, also got the ipx protocol and the netBEUI one

I dont use winona XP I use winona98 shoplifter edition and I switch my firewall off when Im not online

Im baffled

[Planky]

Let me get this straight. You unplug your lan cable and then plug in your cable modem, then wonder why you cant see the network while your online?

Unless I cant read your Scotish writing correctly...

[Mystic]

NOOOO.
when Im not online I connect the two computers with a crossover cable, I can copy files from one to the other without any problem so I know the LAN works but for some reason none of the multiplayer games can see it, Ive tried with legacy, quake 2, GTA2 and trackmania.

I dont have a problem with online gaming, it works fine when Im online.

[Planky]

Ah. I understand now.

If you can copy files fine, but games wont work, that usually indicates something is blocking the traffic on the ports the games use... (Most cases are when people have personal firewall software installed - but you don't have any installed)

In your network properties, you should tcpip/ipx bound to your network card.

If you have one of the more recent versions of Directx, run the dxdiag tool. Go onto the Network tab and click 'Test Directplay' button, set up a session and then try and join it with the other pc.

[Mystic]

I did have a firewall but switch it off when not online, Im suspecting it leaves part of itself on, just to be a evil bastard.

Actually, last night half my C: drive corrupted itself so maybe there was something else wrong, Ive had to re-install everything. A pain in the ass. Oddly enough it wasnt a virus or if it was I killed it when I removed the windows directory.

[Planky]

I found with Win98 and ZoneAlarm that the true vector engine (ZoneAlarm) didnt shut down when you exited ZoneAlarm.

This caused alot of problems when I was helping a friend network his two win98 pc's - it wasn't until I found zonealarm sitting in the tasklist that I got them working :p

[Mystic]

its zonealarm I have on both computers

[Planky]

Turn it off and make sure it isn't still in the task list, you should find you games will start working

[Mystic]

bugger, I have to wait a few hours until my nephew wakes up (its 3 AM here) Im dying to test some new deathmatch maps Im working on.

[Mystic]

Still no joy, Im thinking I should add an extra network card in each machine, the IP address for the ones in them now cant be changed to a lan friendly number, I have them registered with my ISP.