I am running a small peer to peer netwokr that includes 4 computer running Windows NT 4.0 workstation. This is a little different situation that just regular workstations though. These computer are set in machines that manufacture tools, so I know that there is going to be EMI/RFI interference, how much I am not sure. I am running UTP cat5 cable, now I know that UTP is not shielded, so I ran the entire length of the run through stell conduit, to trty and eliminate and interference I may receive. However, when I connect the RJ-45 jacks (all setup as T568B standard) to the switch and then to the NICS in the machines I get nothing, ping just times out, nothing in Network Neighborhood. I ran ipconfig /all on the machines and I shows the adapter and the static IP address and subnet that I gave for the NIC card that is installed. I can ping the address IP address of the adapter from the machine that it is in, so I am assuming that the card is ok. How would I run loopback test to test the NIC to be certain that it is functioning properly? Also, what other settings would I need to set under "Network" in the control panel in order to get this working properly. I wouldn't think that I would be getting that much interference running the entire run of UTP through steel conduit all the way to where the NIC is in the computer. Any suggestions would be great.

does it work, when you connect the computers with loose CAT5 cable? how far are the computers apart, meaning: how long are the cables?

I also have Cat 5 running in conduit through an industrial environment and everything is working fine however make sure that at least one end or middle of the conduit is bonded or at least grounded to the buildings electrical ground. I even have one run that is almost 300 meters (wich is way over the recommended ) and it works fine.