Question : Connecting two PC's and a cable modem via crossover cable

I want to connect my pc (which is connected to the internet) to my dads pc via crossover cable
so he can use the broadband connection and we can share files.  I am having problems.



My pc
Pentium 4, 3ghz, 1gb ram, Running XP Home sp1
Connected to NTL broadband cable modem via usb connection
1 ethernet card linked to one end of crossover cable

In network places there are two items under network connections:
Cable Modem
PCI fast ethernet adaptor

My dads PC

Pentium 4, 1.5ghz, 512mb ram, Running XP Pro sp1
1 ethernet card connected to the other end of the crossover cable

In network places there is one item under network connections:
PCI fast ethernet adaptor.


On my pc I gave the ethernet adaptor an ip of 10.0.0.1 and subnet mask 255.0.0.0
On my dads PC I first told it obtain ip address automatically but this made the
machine take around 3 minutes to boot and I was still unable to connect to my pc,
so I gave it and ip of 10.0.0.2, subnet 255.0.0.0.

I made sure both pc's were on mshome, I had no firewalls running.
I run "setup home or small office network" on my pc, everything went fine
I run the same on my dads pc.  I was able to get the internet of both computers
and share files between both computers.

I restarted the computers today and I am no longer able to share, ping or even see the other pc.
I don't know what I'm doing wrong.  This type of thing keeps happening and as I don't know how
XP sets up the computers to share the internet connection i have no way of understanding what
goes wrong when I restart the computers.

What am I missing and what does XP do in network config to enable my dads pc to use my internet connection? Im hopeing to get the connection going manually with xp's "setup home and small office network".


Any comments appreciated as this is about the 10th time Ive tried to connect boths pc's.

Answer : Connecting two PC's and a cable modem via crossover cable

PAQed with points refunded (500)

modulo
Community Support Moderator