Problem with 2 NIC configuration in XP Home

[maaxiim]

Hi there,

I have been seeing an intermittent problem on one of our XP Home pc's.

Basically, we have 2 NICs installed;

1. 54mb Wifi providing DNS and internet access, etc.
2. 100mb LAN connecting to a network printer.

We had originally configured this to use a Bridge allowing the printer
to be accessed directly
on the network over the wireless network. Then, we had a catastrophic
HDD crash and had
to reinstall XP. Ever since we re-installed, I have not been able to
get the bridge to successfully configure as before.

Now, I have assigned the wired NIC a direct IP address and have
configured to the printer to use another IP on the same subnet. I also
share the printer so that other PC's on the main subnet
can print to it. This all works fine ... until I reboot the PC.

It seems like XP always configures the 100mb LAN connection first so
that XP attempts to use it for DNS and internet connectivity. If I
disable the LAN, repair the Wifi and then re-enable the LAN, I can
print to the printer and get internet access again. I'm guessing its
related to giving the faster NIC precedence.

My question is whether or not I can do something to control the order
in which XP enables the NICs so that the wifi gets precedence?

TIA.

 

[Ron Martell]

Hi there,

I have been seeing an intermittent problem on one of our XP Home pc's.

Basically, we have 2 NICs installed;

1. 54mb Wifi providing DNS and internet access, etc.
2. 100mb LAN connecting to a network printer.

You will probably have a better chance of getting a workable response
to your questions if you post them to the networking newsgroup:
microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web

That is where the network gurus hang out.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."