How to network-long

[Jason]

For the past week I have been reading about networking
and I only get more confused; pinging, ICS, TCP. I try so
hard to comprehend it but to no avail. I, like many
others, just want to share document folders and my
printer between my desktop and laptop. I want to start
from the beginning and show what I have tried. Both
computers have XP Home edition. I have Road Runner
Broadband going into the cable modem. From the cable
modem to the linksys 802.11b router. From the router to a
linksys 10/100 ethernet on the desktop. Once I purchased
the laptop (had wireless installed from factory) it
connected to broadband without even loading the software
so I have never done that because I thought why when it
works. The internet works fine between them. However
chaos begins when I try to network. Starting with the
desktop, I disabled firewalls and established the network
using gateway. Ok, that worked. Then I copied the info
for the network and installed it on laptop. Ok, this
worked fine. I have had had both computers under the same
name and different names (tried both) with the same
workgroup.But, when I go to network places, I see nothing
about a connection between the two. Also, when the bridge
connection is made on the laptop, I lose the broadband
connection. Trust me, I have read numerous things but
cannot find what I need unless I am so frustrated and its
right in front of me. I would really appreciate some
guidance plus I want to learn what I am doing. Thanks for
your time. (e-mail address removed)

 

[Chuck]

For the past week I have been reading about networking
and I only get more confused; pinging, ICS, TCP. I try so
hard to comprehend it but to no avail. I, like many
others, just want to share document folders and my
printer between my desktop and laptop. I want to start
from the beginning and show what I have tried. Both
computers have XP Home edition. I have Road Runner
Broadband going into the cable modem. From the cable
modem to the linksys 802.11b router. From the router to a
linksys 10/100 ethernet on the desktop. Once I purchased
the laptop (had wireless installed from factory) it
connected to broadband without even loading the software
so I have never done that because I thought why when it
works. The internet works fine between them. However
chaos begins when I try to network. Starting with the
desktop, I disabled firewalls and established the network
using gateway. Ok, that worked. Then I copied the info
for the network and installed it on laptop. Ok, this
worked fine. I have had had both computers under the same
name and different names (tried both) with the same
workgroup.But, when I go to network places, I see nothing
about a connection between the two. Also, when the bridge
connection is made on the laptop, I lose the broadband
connection. Trust me, I have read numerous things but
cannot find what I need unless I am so frustrated and its
right in front of me. I would really appreciate some
guidance plus I want to learn what I am doing. Thanks for
your time. (e-mail address removed)

Jason,

I would typically recommend these two fine websites to you with their
tutorials:
http://www.cablesense.com/
http://www.homenethelp.com/

Judging from the amount of frustration expressed in your note, I will
try to help more directly.

I am assuming that you have the two computers currently accessing the
internet. It appears that both computers are connecting directly to
the Linksys router (the desktop, by cable; the laptop, wirelessly).
Correct me if I'm wrong.

Please start by doing Start - Run, "ipconfig /all >ipconfig.txt" from
both computers, and copy then paste contents of ipconfig.txt from both
into your next post here. The ipconfig listings will help us verify
what to do next.

For both computers, verify for me:
1) Start - Settings - Network Connections. Right click on the active
network connection - probably "Local Area Connection". choose
Properties. Do you have Client for Microsoft Networks, File and
Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks, and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
in the list?
2) Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and hit Properties. Is "Obtain
an IP address automatically" selected?
3) Return to the Local Area Connection Properties window. Select the
Advanced tab. Is the ICF box ("Protect my computer...") clear?

Post back here with requested details, and we'll continue.

Cheers,

Chuck
I hate spam - PLEASE get rid of the spam before emailing me!
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Guest]

<Judging from the amount of frustration expressed in your
note, I will
<try to help more directly.

first off- thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!

<I am assuming that you have the two computers currently
accessing the internet. It appears that both computers
are connecting directly to the Linksys router (the
desktop, by cable; the laptop, wirelessly).Correct me if
I'm wrong.

you are correct

<Please start by doing Start - Run, "ipconfig /all
ipconfig.txt" from both computers, and copy then paste
contents of ipconfig.txt from both into your next post
here. The ipconfig listings will help us verify what to
do next.

i did this, however it ran very quickly and disappeared
on both

<For both computers, verify for me:
<1) Start - Settings - Network Connections. Right click
on the active network connection - probably "Local Area
Connection". choose Properties. Do you have Client for
Microsoft Networks, File and Printer Sharing for
Microsoft Networks, and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)in the
list?

yes, except i also have QoS packet scheduler on the
laptop checkmarked

<2) Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and hit
Properties. Is "Obtain an IP address automatically"
selected?

affirmative on both

<3) Return to the Local Area Connection Properties
window. Select the Advanced tab. Is the ICF box
("Protect my computer...") clear? (help from
chuck "cheers")

yes on both

thanks again for helping. i appreciate your time.

jason

 

[Chuck]

<Judging from the amount of frustration expressed in your
note, I will
<try to help more directly.

first off- thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!

<I am assuming that you have the two computers currently
accessing the internet. It appears that both computers
are connecting directly to the Linksys router (the
desktop, by cable; the laptop, wirelessly).Correct me if
I'm wrong.

you are correct

<Please start by doing Start - Run, "ipconfig /all
ipconfig.txt" from both computers, and copy then paste
contents of ipconfig.txt from both into your next post
here. The ipconfig listings will help us verify what to
do next.

i did this, however it ran very quickly and disappeared
on both

<For both computers, verify for me:
<1) Start - Settings - Network Connections. Right click
on the active network connection - probably "Local Area
Connection". choose Properties. Do you have Client for
Microsoft Networks, File and Printer Sharing for
Microsoft Networks, and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)in the
list?

yes, except i also have QoS packet scheduler on the
laptop checkmarked

<2) Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and hit
Properties. Is "Obtain an IP address automatically"
selected?

affirmative on both

<3) Return to the Local Area Connection Properties
window. Select the Advanced tab. Is the ICF box
("Protect my computer...") clear? (help from
chuck "cheers")

yes on both

thanks again for helping. i appreciate your time.

jason

OK, Jason, the ipconfig.txt file should be a good start. It ran
quickly, and the window closed, that's OK. Look in the file it
creates - ipconfig.txt (you have to find what folder it's in, or
repeat it as "ipconfig /all >c:\ipconfig.txt"). Use Notepad to open
c:\ipconfig.txt. Do this on both computers please.

This may take some work. But I'll keep at it as long as you will.

Cheers,

Chuck
I hate spam - PLEASE get rid of the spam before emailing me!
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Guest]

OK, Jason, the ipconfig.txt file should be a good start. It ran
quickly, and the window closed, that's OK. Look in the file it
creates - ipconfig.txt (you have to find what folder it's in, or
repeat it as "ipconfig /all >c:\ipconfig.txt"). Use Notepad to open
c:\ipconfig.txt. Do this on both computers please.

This may take some work. But I'll keep at it as long as you will.

Cheers,

Chuck

well, after playing with it for a little while, i was
still unable to view it. i did the procedure on both
computers and searched both and did not find it. when
searched liked this ipconfig*, it found files
ipconfig.ts_,EX_, and XM_. am i doing something wrong? i
entered it as you said.

 

[Chuck]

well, after playing with it for a little while, i was
still unable to view it. i did the procedure on both
computers and searched both and did not find it. when
searched liked this ipconfig*, it found files
ipconfig.ts_,EX_, and XM_. am i doing something wrong? i
entered it as you said.

Jason,

Don't sweat it. Let's try it this way.

Start - Run - cmd .
Now in the window at the command prompt, "ipconfig /all

c:\ipconfig.txt".

Now start Notepad, open c:\ipconfig.txt.
Copy then paste and post.
Both computers please.

Cheers,

Chuck
I hate spam - PLEASE get rid of the spam before emailing me!
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Chuck]

well, after playing with it for a little while, i was
still unable to view it. i did the procedure on both
computers and searched both and did not find it. when
searched liked this ipconfig*, it found files
ipconfig.ts_,EX_, and XM_. am i doing something wrong? i
entered it as you said.

Jason,

Don't sweat it. Let's try it this way.

Start - Run - cmd .
Now in the window at the command prompt:
"ipconfig /all >c:\ipconfig.txt" (leave off the quotes).
Now start Notepad, open c:\ipconfig.txt.
Copy then paste and post.
Both computers please.

Cheers,

Chuck
I hate spam - PLEASE get rid of the spam before emailing me!
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Guest]

ok, finally some luck. here it is...

DESKTOP
Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : FAMILY1
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : cinci.rr.com
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Linksys LNE100TX Fast
Ethernet Adapter(LNE100TX v4)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-04-5A-51-B8-50
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 24.29.1.219
24.29.1.218
65.24.0.163
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, January 09,
2004 10:25:04 AM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, January 10,
2004 10:25:04 AM

LAPTOP

Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Notebook
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : cinci.rr.com
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : HP WLAN 54g W450
Network

Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-90-4B-43-8B-AC
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.101
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 24.29.1.219
24.29.1.218
65.24.0.163

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, January 09,
2004 12:51:03
PM Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, January
10, 2004
12:51:03 PM

i will go to the end to figure this out!

jason

 

[Chuck]

ok, finally some luck. here it is...

DESKTOP
Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : FAMILY1
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : cinci.rr.com
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Linksys LNE100TX Fast
Ethernet Adapter(LNE100TX v4)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-04-5A-51-B8-50
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 24.29.1.219
24.29.1.218
65.24.0.163
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, January 09,
2004 10:25:04 AM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, January 10,
2004 10:25:04 AM

LAPTOP

Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Notebook
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : cinci.rr.com
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : HP WLAN 54g W450
Network

Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-90-4B-43-8B-AC
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.101
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 24.29.1.219
24.29.1.218
65.24.0.163

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, January 09,
2004 12:51:03
PM Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, January
10, 2004
12:51:03 PM

OK, Jason, that all looks good.

Check your local security policy on each computer. Control Panel -
Administrative Tools - Local Security Policy gives you the Local
Security Settings wizard. Under Security Settings - Local Policies -
Security Options (in left panel of wizard), look for the policy
"Network access: Sharing and security model for local accounts", and
ensure it is set to "Classic - local users authenticate as
themselves".

The default value for that policy is "Guest only". If it is set to
Guest only, no matter what account you logon with, you will need Guest
access to any computer on the network. You should have Guest disabled
on both anyway.

Now setup an account / password identical on both computers. Setup
shares on both computers (no $ shares). Make sure both computers are
in the same workgroup.

Make sure the bridge connection is enabled on neither.

Login to both computers with the common account / password. Look in
network neighborhood and see if each computer now shows from the
other.

Cheers,

Chuck
I hate spam - PLEASE get rid of the spam before emailing me!
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Guest]

Laptop: Windows IP Configuration



Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Notebook

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :

Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid

IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No



Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:



Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : cinci.rr.com

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : HP WLAN 54g
W450 Network Adapter

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-90-4B-43-
8B-AC

Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes

Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.101

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 24.29.1.219

24.29.1.218

65.24.0.163

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday,
January 09, 2004 12:51:03 PM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Saturday,
January 10, 2004 12:51:03 PM

 

[Guest]

Desktop Windows IP Configuration



Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : FAMILY1

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :

Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown

IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No



Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:



Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : cinci.rr.com

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Linksys
LNE100TX Fast Ethernet Adapter(LNE100TX v4)

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-04-5A-51-
B8-50

Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes

Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 24.29.1.219

24.29.1.218

65.24.0.163

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday,
January 09, 2004 10:25:04 AM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Saturday,
January 10, 2004 10:25:04 AM