Network Problems

[Louise]

I have been hired into a new position that is mainly office support
but as a part of that they want me to administer the office network.
The network is small, 4 machines running Windows 98, 1 laptop running
Windows ME, and another machine running XP.

The network was already established when I got here and now they are
having problems with it. They have a Linksys Cable/Router that
connects to the internet and a Linksys Switch that connects the
network. When accessing the router (which is a gateway) the DHCP
client table does not show one of the Windows 98 computers and the ME
laptop.

I checked the Windows 98 machine WINIPCFG and there are two items
listed PPP adapter and 3Com NIC. The PPP adapter does not reflect an
IP address but when I change to the 3Com an IP address is shown and
then I can see the computer in the DHCP client tables. How can I get
this to default to the NIC instead of PPP adapter so that the computer
is seen by the network?

The main issue right now is email. The laptop (ME) and the 98 machine
I spoke about above cannot access email through Outlook Express...it
goes to authorizing and times out every time. When I directly connect
the ME laptop to the cable modem I can send and receive email just
fine. As soon as I connect back to the network I cannot access email.
Anyone got a clue what might be the problem? Could it be the
cable/router or a setting on the machines?

Thanks in advance....please copy my email address also as I will check
there first for any help.

Louise

 

[Chuck]

I have been hired into a new position that is mainly office support
but as a part of that they want me to administer the office network.
The network is small, 4 machines running Windows 98, 1 laptop running
Windows ME, and another machine running XP.

The network was already established when I got here and now they are
having problems with it. They have a Linksys Cable/Router that
connects to the internet and a Linksys Switch that connects the
network. When accessing the router (which is a gateway) the DHCP
client table does not show one of the Windows 98 computers and the ME
laptop.

I checked the Windows 98 machine WINIPCFG and there are two items
listed PPP adapter and 3Com NIC. The PPP adapter does not reflect an
IP address but when I change to the 3Com an IP address is shown and
then I can see the computer in the DHCP client tables. How can I get
this to default to the NIC instead of PPP adapter so that the computer
is seen by the network?

The main issue right now is email. The laptop (ME) and the 98 machine
I spoke about above cannot access email through Outlook Express...it
goes to authorizing and times out every time. When I directly connect
the ME laptop to the cable modem I can send and receive email just
fine. As soon as I connect back to the network I cannot access email.
Anyone got a clue what might be the problem? Could it be the
cable/router or a setting on the machines?

Thanks in advance....please copy my email address also as I will check
there first for any help.

Louise

Hi Louise,

It sounds to me like the Win98 computer has DUN / RAS installed. Is
that necessary? Does it have a modem as a backup maybe?

If you were to run "ipconfig /all" and post results for three
computers here, it would be much easier to diagnose and make
recommendations:
1) A working Win98 computer;
2) The non-working Win98 computer;
3) The ME laptop.

Cheers,

Chuck
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