Q: Cannot Connect Using Serial Cable: Test Your Cable and Ports!
A: Here is a complete
procedure for testing your serial cable. Most serial direct connect
problems that result in a "serial cable disconnected" "cannot connect to
host computer" are related to an unsuitable cable, or problems with the
computer's serial ports.
Q: Can I use direct cable connect
to share an internet connection?
A: Special software is required for windows 95 to
route the internet connection across direct cable connect. Messages on
the internet are sent to the IP address of the computer connected to the
internet. A proxy server is required to do a special translation of these
message addresses and route them correctly across the direct cable link.
This is an advanced application requiring clever knowledge of internet
protocols and local networking. One proxy server called Wingate is availiable
for this function as a shareware download (an evaluational version is availiable.)
You first will need to install the dial-up networking package version 1.2 on the host so that dial-up networking and direct cable connect can operate at the same time.
The ever increasing list of windows web proxy servers, select from one of the following:
Q: I am having trouble with a parallel connection. It displays "verifying username and password" then aborts.
A: More information can be found at the Parallel Technologies FAQ Page. If you have followed the directions of the DCC parent page, you may be having trouble with your parallel port settings. Both must be configured for the same type ECP, BI-Directional etc. These settings are controlled by the bios or your system, or perhaps the configuration of your parallel interface. I suggest giving this diagnostic program a shot at figuring out your system and cable configuration problems (it only is beneficial for parallel connections). Parallel Technologies ftp site may be seen here.
Q: I am having trouble with a serial connection. It displays "cannot connect to host computer".
A: Check your baud rate for both serial ports in use. If they are correct, continue to examine the other suggestions on this page.
Q: I've tried everything on the page and it still doesnt connect. I get messages like "cannot connect to host computer", "parallel cable disconnected".
A: V4.00.950 & V4.00.950a of windows 95 may not connect due aparently to a problem in the password lists. One solution is to load the "a" version of communications from the newer CD. Using windows 95 explorer, click Tools-Find-Files or folders and search on 'My Computer' for all copies of "directcc.exe", repeat the procedure on both computers. For the computer with the oldest dated "directcc.exe", rename the file "directcc.exe.old" and copy the newer version onto that computer using a floppy disk (Be sure you are not transferring a virus from the donor computer). If unsure of the virus condition of the newer version, you may extract "directcc.exe" from the appropriate .cab file (use browse CD in the auto-run function to locate it).
A: Try clicking in control panel, selecting Add/Remove and Remove the direct cable connect feature. Restart windows. Using your latest windows 95 CD Add the direct cable connect program again. You will have to re-iterate the setup procedures especially for network bindings.
See Also KB Article #175915.
Q: What is the speed difference between serial and parallel?
A: Parellel is sending 8 bits at a time and serial one. There is some overhead in the parallel port which results in an aproximate 5x faster connection for parallel.
Q: Can the baud rate be set for DCC serial connections?
A: Yes! In control panel, click on System. Select the device manager tab and select the modem category. An entry for the com port you are using should be apparant. Adjust this speed to the fastest the two computers can operate. The system/port setting also should be set to at least the speed you are selecting; see also "The Need For Speed."
Q: Can Direct Cable Connect
and Dial-Up Networking be Operating at the same time?
Warning: This link was origionally written for version 1.2 of the microsoft dial-up networking upgrade. Recently, version 1.2 was replaced by 1.3 and I updated the link correspondingly. Due to my need to upgrade this notebook's slip interface I have encountered a problem with installing 1.3 as it is causing a persistant appearance of this error box each time I boot the computer. I will try to post a fix as soon as it can be found here. Sorry if this link has caused you to have the same plague. Also note winsock 2.2 that also dues not correct the problem (find more evil here.)
Danger: See Warning above, this information has been preserved from a procedure that used to work when the version was 1.2 of dial up networking.DANGER SEE ABOVE
Note: If you experience repeated busy signals connecting to your ISP consider that there is a limit of 100 dialing attempts with this version. DUNCE is not compatable with this version to attempt the redialing.
Q: Is there a way to direct connect using modems?
A: Versions Greater Than 1.2 of the Microsoft winsock and the plus pack for Windows 95 privides for dial-up networking server:
The NULL modems came from here.
Special Thanks to Adolf Burkard for the following Microsoft links:
1. brief: Microsoft Knowledge Base (#145843) : How to Connect to a Remote Server
See also Windows95.Com on dial-up server setup.
Q: Is there a command line option to bypass the connect dialoge for DCC to start automatically?
A: IFF direct connect was configured as HOST the last time it was run, then adding anything after the executable name in ths shortcut "c:\windows\directcc.exe connect" will cause the application to start up in host mode bypassing the user input box. This does not work in guest mode.
There is also a utility that works perfectly for this called DUNCE. There is a shareware fee associated with this program if you are not affiliated with a university. This utility is also excellent for automating windows 95 dial-up networking!
Thanks to Koenigstein & Jerald R Haggard for the command line information!
A: If you are asking this question, I am concerned the computers will be in different rooms. be sure there is no current flow between the grounds of your computers! This is especially previalent in industrial/office locations. A small voltage of 5vAC can be in current levels in excess of 10amps. Since the grounds between computers are not fused, the possibility of fire exists.
Serial connections can operate in excess of 50meters, parallel 20. This will depend upon the type of wire, and electrical noise. Do not use sheilded wire, and keep the gauge relatively small to avoid capacitance.
Q: ECP Port with SMC Chip Set Does Not Transfer Data Properly
A: Direct cable connect may not operate correctly, loosing data. You must re-configure the port as a different style. This problem has been noted on the following computers:
Q: I am having trouble connecting to a computer on a lan what do I do?
A: Install the IPX/SPX protocol. See KB article Q127136.
Q: Why can't my computer automatically find the host?
A: Perhaps the file "vredir.vxd" is missing or damaged, re-install it from the win 95 source. See KB article Q159578.
Q: What cables are compatable with DCC and do you have a schematic?
A: See KB article Q142324.
( Serial and Standard Parallel cable schematic )
If youre insane, ECP
schematic. Consider purchasing a cable from a computer store or online
as this feature is complicated enough without having to debug a project!
Q: Can DCC Be used to connect a computer to the network?
A: See KB article Q152562.
Q: Do Both Computers need to have the same Workgroup name?
A: No. I have connected two computers with differing workgroup names. Each can find the other and share files.
Q: Direct Cable Connection May Not Work in Localized OSR2?
A: When you are running certain localized non-English versions of Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2 (OSR2) or OEM Service Release version 2.1 (OSR2.1), attempting to use Direct Cable Connection to connect two computers may not work. You may receive an error message stating that the port is not available. Exceprt from KB Article # Q166340.
Q: How Do I Set the IP Address for My Computer?
A: If you are using dial-up networking, it is probable
the IP address is allocated (dynamic) each time you log in. In this case
your address may be determined by the name "localhost" or using the program
located in the windows directory named: WINIPCFG.EXE.
In windows 95 you can set your IP address by going
to the control panel-network Configuration and TCP/IP Adapter. In the properties
there is a tab called IP Address. You can "Specify" an IP address there.
Q: Can't See a CD ROM/Some Volumes do Not Appear
A: Using Windows Explorer, Select the Device that does
not apear across the link. Click File-Properties and select the Sharing
tab. The selection should show Shared As "Resource Name", also Read Only
or Full Access Should be displayed.
Note: A reader has reported that they had to change
the permissions to Not Shared, close windows, and then select shared again
to clear a password that was in effect for a device even though the panel
did not display any password is required.
Q: Can Only see the Other Computer one Way!
A: Many people have encountered this problem, and many factors can cause it.
Q: Imation SuperDisk Drive - Parallel Port
A: This report applies to owners of Imation (possibly Iomega) parallel port type archival devices. A virtual SCSI drive is created as a part of the setup, and this device causes DCC to not connect. After the Ports entry, the next device is listed as "SCSI Controller" and the sub-entry under this heading is "Imation SuperDisk Drive - Parallel Port". The only resolution known is disabling of the Imation SCSI device in the System/Control panel. Of course, while the SCSI device is disabled, access to that resource is not possible, this maked DCC and the SCSI device mutually exclusive in operation.
The removal of the SCSI drive is only a disabling process
for the profile
in question. Once the DCC work is complete, and the
Imation drive is
required, all that needs to be done is to uncheck
the Imation SCSI disable
box in System. It is possible to create multiple hardware
configurations in windows 95 and those who use DCC often may consider this
option.
I personally have the Iomega 2GB drive which does not create a SCSI device nor cause any problems of this nature.
Special thanks to David Mills for this information.
Thanks for reading the FAQ page, if you still havent found your answer, drop an E-Mail.