Network Path Lost

[Guest]

Hi All,

We have a small network in the office with 6 computers and couple of printers.

All machines are XP with individually assigned IP addresses.

We save all of our project data on one main machine which is then backed up
every day.

The problem we continue to have is that we lose the network path to this
main computer a couple of times a day (network path not found). If we
restart the main machine all is well again until the next time it happens.

Can anyone please suggest a method to resolve this issue?

Thanks in advance.
Buster

 

[Guest]

Hi Buster

1) Is the main machine a server or is it as a multi task machine, server
functions and usual workstation stuff ?

2) What OS is installed in the Main Machine...2000, XP, Linux, Unix, Windows
2003 Server...etc ?

3) Is the network of 6 computers on a closed circuit not connected to the
Internet ,only a LAN or are the computers able to access the internet ?

4) Is the network setup with a Router or Switch ?

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the quick response!

1) Is the main machine a server or is it as a multi task machine, server
functions and usual workstation stuff ?

Multi task machine

2) What OS is installed in the Main Machine...2000, XP, Linux, Unix, Windows
2003 Server...etc ?

XP SP2 for all machine including the main.

3) Is the network of 6 computers on a closed circuit not connected to the
Internet ,only a LAN or are the computers able to access the internet ?

The network is LAN connected to an ADSL modum

4) Is the network setup with a Router or Switch ?

Router.

Hope that this helps.
Buster

 

[Guest]

Your main machine / storage pc is the computer that is causing all your
network not found issues. These types of issues can sometimes be a simple
thing that's causing it or it may be a more in depth issue with packets being
bounced because of a certain lack of configuratoin in XP.

A suggestion is to scrap the ADSL modem. I would imagine its a rental from
your ISP. First call your ISP and find out if you are able to use your own
bought DSL Router on their network without having to use their modem. In some
cases their configured modem might have some capabilities for diagnostic
reasons in tracking network congestion and any technical problems. You should
be able to use your own DSL Router directly.

Your office should dish out a couple of coins to buy a DSL Router with
enough ports to jack in all computers. Im guessing your current router may
have 6 ports the 6th port being a WAN port or a link up port to connect
another sub network router. Perhaps buy a 10 or more port DSL Router for
future expansion in your company. In purchaing a DSL Router or a 2 in 1
Router which supports DSL & Cable connections. In case sometime down the road
you would like to hop over to cable.

Do some research on the different types of Classes of Routers. Making sure
it has all the bells and whistles. With all sorts of features in the
firmware, Security, DHCP, NAT, WEP and a bunch more of configurable features
to tweak for your Office LAN.

Your setup of having an ADSL modem connected to the router might be
simplified by simply buying an ADSL capable router. Where you can jack in
your tele cable directly to router eliminating a hop from the router to the
modem. More hops may be added troubleshooting.

Purchase some type of server OS that can manage your main machine as
strictly a storage server. Something like Linux Redhat or Mandrake with GUI &
command line interface. Installing only the necessary services that you need
like perhaps a FTP storage server service. Maybe a Microsoft server product
might do.

Okay... on to some troubleshooting suggestions...whew.

1)Open the coomand line Type ipconfig /all on all your computers making
sure node type is Broadcast. Make sure all windows firewalls are not blocking
ARP broadcasts or DHCP packets.

2) Enter IP and server IPs manually for each computer in TCP/IP settings..
Computers IP, Gateway IP give it a metric of 1, DNS Primary and
Secondary...For some strange reasons by having DNS or Gateway set to
automatic at times the auto settings loses it way. Had that happen many times
so I always manually entering Gateway & DNS settings.

Try these suggestions and hopefully this helps your 1 computer from dropping
its line from the rest of the group. I do have more suggestions if this does
not help.

Cheers !

 

[Guest]

Hello Buster

Ok sounds good...let me know the results when you have all the nodes changed
over to broadcasts in the registry setting... NodeType 1 ...hope it helps
...note after any registry change remember to restart computer. Some changes
to the TCP/IP stack require a restart before the change can take effect.

Sydney Australia..oh nice ! I have been wanting to take a vacation to
Australia. When I save up enuff coin, perhaps then I can take that vacation.

I am Canadian... lived in the Province of Ontario for a good part of my
life. For the last couple of years I reside in Western Canada...Alberta.

Cheers is a great word to use ...simple yet effective in saying a friendly
hello,congrats,greetings or goodbye. A word that is timeless.

Have a good one !

 

[Guest]

Hi Marbles,

I've now changed all of the computers to broadcast and yep they seem to be
networking much quicker. I haven't changed any of the IP addresses yet,
thought I would go one step at a time.

We have the following:

IP Address Subnet Defaulty Gate
Main Machine 10.0.2.67 255.255.255.0 10.0.2.60
2 Machine 10.0.2.81 255.255.255.0 10.0.2.60
3 Machine 10.0.2.83 255.255.255.0 10.0.2.60
4 Machine 10.0.2.62 255.255.255.0 10.0.2.60
5 Machine 10.0.2.66 255.255.255.0 10.0.2.60
6 Machine 10.0.2.76 255.255.255.0 10.0.2.60
7 Machine 10.0.2.65 255.255.255.0 10.0.2.60
8 Machine 10.0.2.61 255.255.255.0 10.0.2.60
Printer 1 10.0.2.71
Printer 2 10.0.2.74
Printer 3 10.0.2.73
Network Storage 10.0.2.75

Should I change any of this lot although I'm not sure how to do that with
the printers.
Cheers
Buster
PS Sydney is brilliant and well worth the trip and money!

 

[Guest]

Hi Marbles,
Thanks for all your help. W'll test it for a couple of days to see how we
go and I'll let you know.
Cheers
Buster

 

[Guest]

Hello Buster

Hopefully this will be the configuration to correct the network problem...If
not, there is lots more options to try and correct the connections being
dropped.

Cheers !

 

[Guest]

Hi Marbles,

1) Do you have Service Pack 2 installed on the machines ?
Yes
2) What manufacturer made your ethernet card..D-Link, RealTek...etc ? Visit
the manufacturers website and download the latest patch/driver for your
model
of ethernet card. Then install it ...reboot. Some ethernet network cards are
known to cause this issue.
Will do.
3)Make sure the Server service is set to Automatic and is running.
Yes and it was already on auto.
4)Found that the computer was allowed to turn off the network card to save
power so turned that feature off.
5)Limited or no connectivity now truned off.
6) Interesting Article - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320819
Beyond me
7)JUst going to hold on the registry changes to see if the above has helped
first so that I know what has caused the problems.

Thanks for all your help and I'm off North for a couple of weeks so will get
back to you in the new year. I wish you are yours the very best for
Christmas!
Paul

 

[Guest]

About helping you out..no problem Buster. You have done well and with the
right attitude in learning. In learning computer systems we all start off
from the same point. The key is the willingness to learn.

Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année.. translation ..Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year !

To you, your family and friends...Enjoy your holidays...!

In case you dabble in to the fruits of nature over the Holidays.
Aka..Alcohol and drink a bit too much..Hang Over Remedy....Water...lots of it.

Have a good one Buster we will chat in the new year !