network help required - long

[Noddy]

Hello everyone,

I've been lurking here for a while, reading some of the posts from some
*very* knowledgeable people, and hoping that someone would have a problem
similar to mine that would be answered, but no such luck. So, I've decided
to ask for help directly.

My problem is that I have two machines linked together to share a DSL
internet connection and play LAN games, but the LAN performance is
appalling, and I'd really like yo get it working better than what it is.

Firstly, I know very little about PC's, so if I get some of the terminology
wrong, please excuse me.

Some background details:

The two machines are in the same room, and the boxes are around one metre
apart. When I originally connected them together, I used a couple of Realtek
8139 based 10/100 cards and a crossover cable and the LAN connection worked
great, but getting internet connection sharing to work became frustratingly
impossible.

I was told by someone more knowledgeable than me that I needed a "router",
so I bought a DSL modem that has one built in. This particular modem (a
Netcomm NB1300 in case anyone is familiar with them) works well, and sharing
the internet connection between the two machines is now perfect. This modem
connects to one machine through Ethernet, and the other through USB (which
is the only way I could get it to work).
However, the LAN connection, while working in this configuration, is poor
compared to what it was with the two network cards.

I've *now* been told that I need to go back to the two network cards, run
them through a "switch" linking the two machines together, and plug the
modem into the switch as well. Apparently, that will give me the best of
both worlds.

The problem I have now is that one of the machines suddenly won't let me
install a network card.

Since I first started playing around with this, I've updated one of the
machines, and it has a couple of Ethernet ports built into the motherboard.
The DSL modem connects to that machine through one of these ports, and it
works just fine. The second machine recently got a new hard disk, and
required a new Windows installation as, for some reason, the data on the old
disk couldn't be transferred properly.

The problem now is that since fitting the new hard disk and reinstalling
windows, it balks whenever you put a network card in the machine, and fails
with a "there was a problem installing your new hardware" message. The cards
themselves are fine, and were working in that machine before.

Currently, machine number two remains connected to the modem through it's
USB connection, and I've been told that this is what's making the LAN
connection between the two machines so slow. Everything currently works,
it's just that the network connection is so slow that games are unplayable.
(to give you an idea, if you've ever played a game like Medal of Honour over
the internet with a dial-up connection, it's slower than that! )

Basically, all I want to do is to get the network card installed on the
second machine, and set the system up as I've been told to do so the kids
and I can enjoy ourselves, but it won't let me. Both machines have no other
problems apart from that, and work fine. Both run XP Pro with service pack
1, and both run fairly good quality hardware that's not pushed hard or is
problematic in any other way.

If anyone could offer any help that would either allow me to get this card
installed, or offer a suggestion that would sort out my network problem some
other way, I'd be eternally grateful.

Finally, my apologies for the long winded post, and my thanks in advance for
anyone taking the time to read it.

Regards,
Noddy.

 

[Cari \(MS-MVP\)]

This should really be asked in the Networking group.... but

Both PCs should be connected to the Router via Ethernet cables.

The DSL model should be connected to the Router - to the WAN port.

The Static IP you get from the ISP should be assigned to the Router. The
Router should 'give' the IP addresses to each PC.

You do NOT need a switch or a hub.... these devices are superceded by the
use of a Router which is far superior to either.

The Router should come with a manual explaining exactly how to do this....
and I don't have a Netcomm, but a Linksys, so I can only presume the
instructions are pretty similar....

Connect one PC to the router. Launch your browser and type in
http://192.168.1.1 which is the IP address of the Router. You will find the
setup and configuration screen. It should walk you through the whole
procedure...

This does depend a little on the actual DSL modem.... and whether the DSL
modem is set up as a bridge or a DHCP router itself. For that you'd have to
ask the ISP.

If you've lost the instruction manual for the Router, you can probably find
a PDF at their website.

Both PCs should normally be set to be assigned a TCP/IP address at
startup... by the Router.

No crossover cables required.... just standard Cat5 or Cat6.

That's a very brief explanation.... but for your own individual solution,
you really have to contact the ISP first, to see if you have a static IP.
If not, the Router can usually be reconfigured for your situation.

Cari
www.coribright.com

 

[Guest]

Cari is correct- this is a simple networking item, and is mostly done with plug and play in W2k and XP
Here is how it works
Your DSL modem sent to you by your ISP is most like set up for the general user, and will request the public IP from the ISP. It will then assign one IP address to the 'inside' network, your PC. if it is programmed with the public IP you would have had it done prior to being sent the modem, or when the tech installed it he programmed it. (or you walked through it and did i t, but from what you have indicated, that is not the case.
For your request, it needs to be set up this way
Your DSL modem should be attached the same, to the DSL phone line from your ISP. Remember it assigns one IP address, in this scenario, we want the router (Linksys DSL/Broadband Router is what is best for general user) to be connected to WAN port so it gets that one address. The router then creates another network, your home network, for which it will assign addresses to your local PC's. Your PC's should be connected to LAN ports 1-4/5, depending on your router
From what i understand, you aren't supposed to use both te USB and NIC cards at the same time, or my instructions indicated so

These are all plug and play, and you can access the router as described to configure more, but shouldn't really need to. By the way, i saw a comercial that when you buy these items at Comp uSA or Office Depot (can't remember which) they will come set it up for you, no charge

nice job so far, just different than what you wanted. and cari is right, you just need the basics; DSL Modem, broadband router, <2> RJ-45 cables, and two PC's with Network Cards

Sounds like the TCP/IP was corrupted when you installed, have you tried re-installing? I have bad installs just to re-install and have it install correctly. You could also try switching PCI ports, or could be the card went bad. ESD (electro static discharge) from being pulled or moving the pc, or etc. remember, parts go bad as well as programming. try another card in the same machine, try that card in another pc. test and eliminate

That was a long one............