network / cable modem problem

[BBeninger]

I previously had a long thread going below entitled "WORKGROUP" but have
since solved a number of issues regarding my network problems so I decided
to start a new thread.

I have 2 computers on a network, Win2K & WinXPHome, D-Link hub, can't see
any model number but unit is 7-8 years old & has 5 spots to plug in
(previously was working with Win2K & 2 - Win 98 machines). When just the 2
computers are connected everything works fine - all shared resources are
visible & accessible from both computers. However when I plug the cable
modem into the hub, I can access the internet without problem from either
machine but I loose all LAN connectivity between the computers. To restore
the LAN I have to disconnect the cable modem & do a hard restart on both
machines. Then I'm back to LAN functioning but no internet.

When the internet is working (LAN not) I can successfully ping each computer
from the other using the IP address but cannot ping successfully using the
Computer names. So it appears I have a Name server problem.

Any ideas?

 

[Steve]

Using the Hub might be causing the problem
You should look at utilizing a router in addition or a combined
router/switch device

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I previously had a long thread going below entitled "WORKGROUP" but have
since solved a number of issues regarding my network problems so I decided
to start a new thread.

I have 2 computers on a network, Win2K & WinXPHome, D-Link hub, can't see
any model number but unit is 7-8 years old & has 5 spots to plug in
(previously was working with Win2K & 2 - Win 98 machines). When just the 2
computers are connected everything works fine - all shared resources are
visible & accessible from both computers. However when I plug the cable
modem into the hub, I can access the internet without problem from either
machine but I loose all LAN connectivity between the computers. To restore
the LAN I have to disconnect the cable modem & do a hard restart on both
machines. Then I'm back to LAN functioning but no internet.

When the internet is working (LAN not) I can successfully ping each computer
from the other using the IP address but cannot ping successfully using the
Computer names. So it appears I have a Name server problem.

Any ideas?

The problem is that you're using a hub. Replace it with a broadband
router.

When your cable modem isn't connected to the hub, the two computers
automatically assign themselves compatible IP addresses in the
169.254.x.x address range. That lets them talk to each other, but
they can't access the Internet.

Your cable modem ISP gives you one IP address. When you connect the
cable modem to the hub, one of the computers grabs that address and
gets Internet access. The other one still can't access the Internet,
and the two computers now have incompatible IP addresses in different
address ranges, so they can't talk to each other.

A broadband router will assign compatible IP addresses to both
computers, so they can talk to each other, and it will share access to
the cable modem, so they can both access the Internet.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Brian Beninger]

I discovered this as well myself - trashed the old hub, got a new router.
Now eveything works fine - thanks