"local area connection network cable unplugged" when it isn't

Hi,
I am a newbie and am attempting to network my windows 2000 to my windows 98 using a single cable between them. I just bought a "network PCI card" for my win 98 and installed it fine. but when i connected them using the cable the win 2000 (which has a lan socket built into the motherboard) doesnt reckognise the fact that a cable is plugged in. In the system tray there is an icon of a computer with a red cross saying "local area connection network cable unplugged" even though there is actually one pluged in". I dont know where to start fixing this problem,and all help would be appreciated.

I think you have a straight ethernet cable. What you need is a crossover cable. Looks exactly the same but wired differently. The straight is for router/switch to computer where as the crossover is for computer to computer.
Hope that helps

Thanx alot for the help I will try replacing the cable

If you have the right tools you can crossover your existing line. There are many tutorials on how to do this. From the ones I have seen it looks pretty easy (just switch the positions of a few wires in one end of the jack, reverse the input, output wires i think) although I have never done it myself.

If you're going from computer to computer you need an RJ45crossover cable aka crossover ethernet cable, "radio shack aka radio crack" ethernet networking cable. I'f you're going from computer to router/hub/switch you need an RJ45patch cable aka patch ethernet cable, "radioshack aka radio crack" ethernet cable.



It sound like one of two options.

1) you have the wrong type of cable.

2) there is a break in your cable somewhere.



I'd take your cable into a computer store and have them test it for you. If it worked before it's probably broken.