Using the PING Command to Test Network-Type Connections - Search Again

SUMMARY

I am trying to connect with LapLink or PCsync using the TCP/IP protocol. I've tried to connect with the USB Network cable, the Serial Network cable or my local area network, however, I'm not certain that the attempted connections are reaching the other computer. How can I test the TCP/IP protocol?

SOLUTION

The PING command sends a test packet of data to a designated IP address. If the data packet arrives and sends a response, then you know that the TCP/IP protocol is working correctly.

Working from a DOS command prompt:

For computers running Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows Millennium

1. From the Windows Start menu, click Run.


2. Type COMMAND.COM and click OK.


3. Do this step on both computers.

1. From the Windows Start menu, click Run.


2. Type CMD and click OK.


3. Do this step on both computers.

1. At the DOS C:\> prompt, type IPCONFIG /all and press Enter.


2. Locate the network adapter for this connection and write down the IP address and the Subnet Mask.


Note: The network adapter depends on the type of connection. If you are connecting with the USB cable, look for LapLink Gold USB cable. If you are connecting with the serial cable, look for LapLink Serial Network cable. If you are connecting over a local area network, look for the name of your network card.

1. At the DOS C:\> prompt of the source computer, type PING IP Address of the target computer and press Enter. For example, PING 10.0.0.

If the response looks like this, the test is successful.

Note: See Technical Document 353, Looking at TCP/IP Bindings for additional troubleshooting suggestions.

If the response looks like either of these examples, the test failed.



Note: LapLink or PCsync can not connect if the PING test fails.

• Running the test from the wrong computer. Make sure you use the IP address of the other computer.
  
• An incorrect IP address.


• Different Subnet Mask addresses. The subnet masks must be identical if you are using a LapLink USB or Serial cable. The subnet mask addresses can be different if a router maps between different subnets for local area network connections. See Technical Document 175, Adding an IP Address to the Serial Network Cable Adapter for more information on correcting the subnet mask.


• Hardware, such as a cable, hub or router, used in the connection has failed.


• If you are pinging a computer across the Internet, one of the Internet Service Providers may be routing traffic inefficiently, or part of the Internet may be 'down' at the time of the test.

Related Articles

How do I Uninstall Windows TCP/IP and Dial-Up Networking Components?    Adding an IP Address to the Serial Network Cable Adapter    Advanced Troubleshooting for the USB Network Cable for PCsync    Changing Windows Video Settings    COM Ports Out of Sequence on Windows 3.x Computers    Error Message: Insufficient Drive Space Error Message when Installing LapLink to Windows NT or Windows 2000