accessing secure wireless network to put all computers on the same network

P

Pamela Marie

I have been 2 days trying to get all these computers on the same wireless
secure network without success. I've even called in an IT for help and stil
not successful. This is a Motorola cable modem connected to a Linksys
wireless router. The two computers (old desktop and notebook) were at one
time networked in a workgroup called DevosOffice. I was trying to connect a
new desktop to the same secure network using the Wireless Network Wizard and
now NONE of the computers are networked! Yet each has internet access? From
'My Network Places' off the START menu, under Network Tasks, I've tried evey
combination of options possible and still cannot get these machines on the
same secure network! I thought this was supposed to be easy to do as MS
recommends that you change the name of your network on a regular basis in
order to prevent others from using your connection? To save time, I will
outline the steps that have already been tried. Since I already have 4
"NETWORK KEY CODES" printed and from these attempts, it would be nice to know
how to delete them as well.

From the 'Start' menu to "My Network Places"
under the column to the left called "Network Tasks"
click on 'View Network Connections' brings up the
"WirelessNetwork Connection"as "connected, shared, Linksys Wireless-G PCI
Adaptor"
Double click gives the Wireless Network Connection Status as connected with
good signal strength
Choose, "set up a wireless network for a home or small office" brings the
Wireless Setup Wizard to set up an infrastructure network
"add new computers or devices to DevosOffice Network" either using a USB
(recommended) or manually both leaving the same unsuccessful results but
always producing the same printed page for the wireless settings wth same
SSID, same Network Key etc.,etc.

Similarly using the "New Connection Wizard"
choose "set up a home or small office network" leads back to
"Network Setup Wizard" and following the steps through "select the statement
that best descrbes this computer gives the option of two internet connections,
1)wireless 2) local shoose #1) wireless
"give this computer a description and name" I chose to name this computer
DESKTOP and did NOT change the given computer name already inserted.
Name the workgroup...inserted the name DevosOffice as the workgroup sought to
be used
Turned on "file and printer sharing" options
and 'appy these settings'
once the wizard has completed the settings then it asks to
"create a network set up disk"
"insert 3 1/2" floopy into the drive" (not available on new desktop computer)
the wizard creates the Network Setup Disk to be used on the other computers
insert the disk into the notebook and double click on netsetup.exe file , run
the Network Connection Wizard again on that computer and reboot to realze the
settings
On trying to access the newly incorporated network workgroup, I get an error
message stating that "DevosOffice is not accessible." and the "network path
was not found".

Didn't even try to connect the new desktop since it doesn't have a 3 1/2
floppy drive anyway and can't get these 2 computers networked so no need to
waste more time and probably confuse the matter more than it already is.

I've run out of options to try. Cannot connect with flash drive, manually or
with floppy disk. Any suggestions on solving this mystery?

Thank you in anticipation of receiving a solution to this secure wireless
network

Pamela
(e-mail address removed)
 
C

Chuck

I have been 2 days trying to get all these computers on the same wireless
secure network without success. I've even called in an IT for help and stil
not successful. This is a Motorola cable modem connected to a Linksys
wireless router. The two computers (old desktop and notebook) were at one
time networked in a workgroup called DevosOffice. I was trying to connect a
new desktop to the same secure network using the Wireless Network Wizard and
now NONE of the computers are networked! Yet each has internet access? From
'My Network Places' off the START menu, under Network Tasks, I've tried evey
combination of options possible and still cannot get these machines on the
same secure network! I thought this was supposed to be easy to do as MS
recommends that you change the name of your network on a regular basis in
order to prevent others from using your connection? To save time, I will
outline the steps that have already been tried. Since I already have 4
"NETWORK KEY CODES" printed and from these attempts, it would be nice to know
how to delete them as well.

From the 'Start' menu to "My Network Places"
under the column to the left called "Network Tasks"
click on 'View Network Connections' brings up the
"WirelessNetwork Connection"as "connected, shared, Linksys Wireless-G PCI
Adaptor"
Double click gives the Wireless Network Connection Status as connected with
good signal strength
Choose, "set up a wireless network for a home or small office" brings the
Wireless Setup Wizard to set up an infrastructure network
"add new computers or devices to DevosOffice Network" either using a USB
(recommended) or manually both leaving the same unsuccessful results but
always producing the same printed page for the wireless settings wth same
SSID, same Network Key etc.,etc.

Similarly using the "New Connection Wizard"
choose "set up a home or small office network" leads back to
"Network Setup Wizard" and following the steps through "select the statement
that best descrbes this computer gives the option of two internet connections,
1)wireless 2) local shoose #1) wireless
"give this computer a description and name" I chose to name this computer
DESKTOP and did NOT change the given computer name already inserted.
Name the workgroup...inserted the name DevosOffice as the workgroup sought to
be used
Turned on "file and printer sharing" options
and 'appy these settings'
once the wizard has completed the settings then it asks to
"create a network set up disk"
"insert 3 1/2" floopy into the drive" (not available on new desktop computer)
the wizard creates the Network Setup Disk to be used on the other computers
insert the disk into the notebook and double click on netsetup.exe file , run
the Network Connection Wizard again on that computer and reboot to realze the
settings
On trying to access the newly incorporated network workgroup, I get an error
message stating that "DevosOffice is not accessible." and the "network path
was not found".

Didn't even try to connect the new desktop since it doesn't have a 3 1/2
floppy drive anyway and can't get these 2 computers networked so no need to
waste more time and probably confuse the matter more than it already is.

Pamela,

Your report is long on detail, but short on diagnostic information. So you will
please pardon me if I suggest something already tried.

The error "DevosOffice is not accessible." and the "network path was not found"
are consistent with name resolution problems.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/mysterious-error-53-aka-name-not-found.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/mysterious-error-53-aka-name-not-found.html

If both computers have Internet service then the hard part - physical
connectivity - is probably NOT the problem.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/dealing-with-physical-network-problems.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/dealing-with-physical-network-problems.html

So start with "browstat status" and "ipconfig /all", from each computer, so we
can diagnose the problem. Read this article, and linked articles, and follow
instructions precisely (download browstat!):
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp
 

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