Will this ever work?

[tempgal]

Hi --

Am trying to network two computers, a Vista 64-bit Home Premium and an XP
Home.

The ISP is Comcast (cable). The modem is a Motorola SB4101. This modem is
not a combination modem/router and there is no router.
The devices are connected via a D-Link DGS-2205 switch -- the modem to the
switch and each computer to the switch via Ethernet Cat5 patch cables.

I understand that we will not be able to connect the second computer to the
Internet without a router, unless we are able to properly configure Internet
Connection Sharing, but I thought we would be able to have the new computer
able to see and transfer the files from the old.

At least one folder has been shared on each computer. The network name is
the same on each computer.

Have turned the firewalls off on each computer. In Vista, have configured
the network as Private and have enabled everything in the network properties
that seemed relevant.

Have visited several websites and I thought I had checked everything out
step by step.

Still no joy. Neither computer can see the other.

Any suggestions would sure be welcome.

Thanks.

 

[daleeh]

This will be a problem in your current configuration because the
computers will not be receiving local "private" IP addresses. Without
a router to assign each computer proper "private" IP addresses, the
Comcast modem will be trying to pass-through a "public" IP address to
a computer. Since you have two computers "competing" for that
address, there is no way to determine what will happen for sure.
Sometimes neither computer will get a good address and others, the
first computer to get the modems "attention" will get an IP.

Because the Comcast modem passes-through a "public" IP address, your
current configuration can be considered inherently unsafe and
unsecure.

Run, don't walk to the nearest computer/electronics store and buy a
good router. I like Linksys routers, but most of the other major
brands will work great.

Connect the router's "uplink" or "WAN" port to the comcast modem and
then connect your switch or individual computers to the router's
switch section. Now each computer will get a proper IP address.

As far as getting the computers to play nice with each other, you will
have to read many of the posts here and on other groups to find out
how to do it. Vista can be cranky about sharing with any other
computer on a network. However, if you make sure all computers on
your network have a common workgroup name and you create at least one
account on each computer that has the same account name and password
as each of the other computers, you should be able to see the "Public"
folders on the Vista machine.

I set up two Vista Business machines and eight XP pro machines on a
network where I teach and they get along quite well--at least they did
after I made sure I had at least one identical account/password on
each machine. I also turned off the User Account Control garbage on
the Vista machines to ensure nothing would block sharing. However, I
would only recommend this (UAC turn-off) if you have solid control of
the computers on the network and don't have any files/folders that
need to be protected from other users on the network.

Good luck.

Dale

 

[tempgal]

Thank you, Dale.

I, too, have had good luck setting up several networks that have both XP and
Vista computers. In this instance, I am trying to help a
not-so-computer-literate friend remotely via LogMeIn, so we have to keep
signing off one computer, trying to configure the other, back again, etc.
In addition, common terms like ethernet, USB, etc. are all unfamiliar to
her.

The problem may well be that neither of her computers has a passworded
logon. Another possible problem may be that the designated shared folder on
her XP Home machine is the My Documents folder and I am just reading
something indicating that main folder cannot be shared in XP Home -- only
sub-folders of it.

Thanks for your prompt and helpful response.

Zan


This will be a problem in your current configuration because the
computers will not be receiving local "private" IP addresses. Without
a router to assign each computer proper "private" IP addresses, the
Comcast modem will be trying to pass-through a "public" IP address to
a computer. Since you have two computers "competing" for that
address, there is no way to determine what will happen for sure.
Sometimes neither computer will get a good address and others, the
first computer to get the modems "attention" will get an IP.

Because the Comcast modem passes-through a "public" IP address, your
current configuration can be considered inherently unsafe and
unsecure.

Run, don't walk to the nearest computer/electronics store and buy a
good router. I like Linksys routers, but most of the other major
brands will work great.

Connect the router's "uplink" or "WAN" port to the comcast modem and
then connect your switch or individual computers to the router's
switch section. Now each computer will get a proper IP address.

As far as getting the computers to play nice with each other, you will
have to read many of the posts here and on other groups to find out
how to do it. Vista can be cranky about sharing with any other
computer on a network. However, if you make sure all computers on
your network have a common workgroup name and you create at least one
account on each computer that has the same account name and password
as each of the other computers, you should be able to see the "Public"
folders on the Vista machine.

I set up two Vista Business machines and eight XP pro machines on a
network where I teach and they get along quite well--at least they did
after I made sure I had at least one identical account/password on
each machine. I also turned off the User Account Control garbage on
the Vista machines to ensure nothing would block sharing. However, I
would only recommend this (UAC turn-off) if you have solid control of
the computers on the network and don't have any files/folders that
need to be protected from other users on the network.

Good luck.

Dale

 

[Jack [MVP-Networking]]

Hi
Working this way (without a Router) means that you do not have Local Private
Network (LAN).
Since you do not have a LAN the Sharing of Files/Printer etc. does not work.
In other word what ever you are doing you are doing while sitting on the
Internet in front of the world.
In general it is a very risky way to run few computers.
Since a simple router is less than $20 there is No reason for such Unhealthy
practice.
http://3btech.net/smcbafopo10b.html
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)