I'm trying to connect a windows 7 desktop to a windows xp computer using a LAN cable. XP complains of low connectivity, win7 complains of 'unidentified network'. They are able to configure an IP for themselves (found using ipconfig) but cannot ping each other. I tried setting the network IP manually, win7 as 192.168.0.1, XP as 192.168.0.2, both subnet masks 255.255.255.0, no luck and no ping. I tried connecting through an ethernet hub to no sucess. I have tried both my motherboard's network card an a PCI network card, both Realtek GBE Family Controller, PCI and PCIe. I have tried restarting several times. This is not a hardware problem; my dual-booted ubuntu can do it (had no problems at all, I just plugged it in!), and my previous install of windows 7 could do it (I do remember switching the cables a few times to get it to co-operate, which didn't work this time). Any suggestions?

Hi,have you enabled firewall on Windows 7 computer? Firewall in Win7 and Win Vista block ping packets by default. Try turn off firewall. Are this two computer in same Workgroup?

Connection:win7 <-> winXP both that same workgroup called H0M3 My settings are:win7 192.168.1.3 / 255.255.255.248winXP 192.168.1.4 / 255.255.255.248on win7 - unidentified networkon winXP (sp3) - no warningsping from win7 to winXP = 4/4 0% looseping from winXP to win7 = 0/4 100% looseboth are windows firewalls with default configuration options.

try turn off firewall on Win 7. Then you can ping from XP to win7. Now you must set up sharing folders...try Start - Run and then: \\192.168.1.3 it will show sharing folders on Win7 PC. If you write with xxx.4 then you see WinXP folders from Win7 computer

No no, everything works well on my connection, I just gave those details to show that some things are normal like: - unidentified network - no ping reply form win7 when default firewall settingsand some are not: - no reply from winXP when default fw settings - low connectivity infromationShared folders are working well on both machines, no need turning firewall off :-)

Thanks!! This allowed me to diagnose the problem further. Seems they COULD connect after all, even though they were complaining. Ping got through every time after I disabled firewalls. I got it to work somehow. I don't know how! A few switching of ports, a few restarts, changing both computers to the same workgroup, lots of messing around with network options, and its working! ........... with any luck, it will be still working when I restart :) one can only hope