Intermittent Ping reply drops

[rushtosri]

Hello Group,

I'm new to this field of networking. I recently bought a new desktop computer and now I would like to setup a home network with my old Windows 98 computer. I have loaded Windows 98 on my new system as well. Both the systems are connected to a hub with a CAT5 cable (Straight thru). I've assigned static IP to both the computers as 192.168.0.1 & 192.168.0.2 with subnet being 255.255.255.0. When I ping each of them from the other computer, i get few replies as well as 'Request Timed Out' like say out of 4 packets sent, 2 will be lost and 2 will get reply. Drivers for NIC on both the systems is installed and working fine. I can go online on both the systems. Protocols installed are - Client for Microsoft Networks, Driver for NIC, TCP/IP, File & Printer Sharing. Can any of you know the reason as to why this happens? I would appreciate your feedback on this.

Thanks in advance!!
regards,
Shri.

 

[Servamatic]

The cable that connects them, is it patch cords or are these in separate rooms?
It sounds like you are pretty thorough, so my first guess is a faulty termination.
How are the cables terminated?

Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.servamatic.net

 

[rushtosri]

Hi Richard

Thanks for ur interest and reply. Both the systems are placed say around 4-6 meters apart. As u said, yes I'm using a patch cords here but I didnt understand what u meant by faulty termination. Its brand new patch cords that I'm using and one of the computer connects fine to the internet with the same patch cord. I guess there is something wrong with the hub. Let me try eliminating the hub and see what happens. In the meantime can you please explain me how and why do we terminate a patch cord?

Thanks once again buddy!

Shri.

 

[Servamatic]

Are the patch cables factory made, or homemade?
Whenever I encounter intermittent problems, I verify patch cords thoroughly.
I would doubt a hub problem, but that may be a possibility with a cheap hub.

Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.servamatic.net

 

[rushtosri]

The patch cables are bought from a local computer shop and the hub is a pretty old one. Is there anyway to check whether the hub is working fine or not?? I mean, any kind of diagnostics steps that you know of which can eliminate the problem with the hub.

Thanks,
Shri.

 

[GoTellBigDaddy]

Look at the LINK lights on the HUB and each NIC card !

No light ?


Old Win98 ???? How old ? Your NIC drivers out of date or improper ? Get in Control Panel and check for conflicts (!!!!!!)

Did the NICs ever work ?

The older I get, the less I know

 

[chesser01]

I have the same problem with my wireless network. I have Win XP on my computer, and Win 98 of my son's. The networking is fine. Yet, when ping the 98 comp, I get intermittent replies. Two packets sent and two timed out, or
three sent and one timed out, or all sent or all timed out.
Now, I do have a nic card in my 98' computer, though I use the wireless adapter. Ipconfig recognizes the nic card, though it isn't being used. Would removing it rectify this?