Cannot connect one computer to network

[Sandra]

I have 4 identical old HP Vectra workstations that I
connected without a hitch using the Network Connection
Wizard. All are running XP SP2. I brought one home from
work to transfer a database to my computer while the
office is shut down. I have a newer Dell at home also
running XP SP2.

I cannot connect these two computers. The Network
Connection Wizard goes through all the steps but nothing
new shows up in My Network Places. Each computer only
shows itself. I also tried the "Carey Holzman" website
Step by Step and this didn't fix my problem either.

My computer is set up with a RoadRunner cable modem to
the Internet via the network plug-in. The cable guy set
it up and I haven't a clue how this was done. The four
computers at work are not connected to the Internet at
all. I am using the same network hub and same cables
that I had for the four computers that are working
properly. I connected each computer and the modem to the
network hub, slots 1, 2, and 3.

I disabled Windows Firewall before I ran the Network
Connection Wizard on each computer. I do have a spyware
program and a popup blocker on my computer but not on the
other. I run McAfee Virus Checker on my computer but
nothing on the other.

I'm sorta scared to mess around too much because I am not
a network guru and I don't want to end up losing my
connection to the Internet.

Can someone tell me what might be the problem?

Thanks,

Sandra G

 

[Blair]

See (e-mail address removed)
Will solve all your network problems
Blair

 

[Carey Holzman]

How are you connecting these two computers together? Through a hub/switch or
router?

Carey

 

[Sandra Grawunder]

Hi Carey,
The 2 computers and the cable modem are connected to a
six station LinkSys network hub.
Dell is in #1, HP Vectra is in #2, cable modem is in #3
Thanks for the help-
Sandra G

 

[Carey Holzman]

Can the PCs ping each other?

Carey

Hi Carey,
The 2 computers and the cable modem are connected to a
six station LinkSys network hub.
Dell is in #1, HP Vectra is in #2, cable modem is in #3
Thanks for the help-
Sandra G

 

[Sandra Grawunder]

As I said, I am no guru LOL. I did ipconfig and here's
what I have:

IPconfig for Dell Computer-
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection
Connection-specific DNS Suffix: rgv.rr.com
IP Address: 24.175.213.236
Subnet Mask: 255.255.248.0
Default Gateway: 24.175.208.1
(rgv.rr.com is my ISP for the cable modem, so I assume
this was all set up by my cable guy)

IPconfig for HP Vectra-
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection
Connection-specific DNS suffix: (this is blank)
Autoconfiguration IP Address: 169.254.119.187
Subnet Mask: 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway: (this is blank)

When I ping 24.175.213.236 (Dell) here's what I get-
Destination host unreachable. (four times)
Ping statistics for 24.175.213.236:
Packets: Sent 4, Received = 0 Lost = 4 (100% loss)

When I ping 169.254.119.187 (HP Vectra) here's what I get-
Request timed out. (four times)
Ping statistics for 169.254.119.187:
Packets: Sent 4, Received = 0 Lost = 4 (100% loss)

FYI, the computer name of the Dell is "Sandra", the
computer name of the HP Vectra is "Me1" and the workgroup
is MSHome.

Please keep in mind that I will still need Me1 to get
along with Me2, Me3 and Me4 when I take it back to the
office. So be sure and explain if I am going to have to
tweak any of the other computers. The network at the
office is working fine and I don't want to screw that up
LOL! Also, if I screw up the connection to the Internet,
I won't be able to talk to you anymore either LOL!!!!

I hope this isn't too much to ask. I really appreciate
your help.

Sandra G

 

[Carey Holzman]

It appears your cable modem is only providing one IP address. You can either
contact your ISP and pay for additional IP addresses or purchase a $20
router and use that instead of the hub. Then your problems will be behind
you.

Carey

 

[Guest]

Hi Sandra,
I just hope this mail is not too late!
I appreciate the fact that you are not a network guru, but you can help.
If I understand your situation very well, you are not trying to connect to
then internet, are you? And you dont have a DHCP Server - a system that
automatically allocate IP addresses to Computers. In that case, you have to
help.
On that your system that has its IPCONFIG as 169.254 . . . . . right click
on my network places, select properties. Then right click on the LAN
connection again, also select properties, then click on TCI/IP and click on
Properties. In the Properties box where you have the IP addresses, select
"Use the following IP adress". Then input and IP address, similar to the one
you have on the system that is connected to the one you connected to the
internet. The essence is to make sure that the two systems are on the same
subnet/network. let the only difference be on the last subnet, that is, on
the last octet. If you have 24.175.213.236 and the subnet mask as
255.255.248.0, then you can write something like 24.175.213.237, with a
subnet msak as 255.255.248.0.
Try this and you should be able to see the two systems.

 

[Chuck]

Hi Sandra,
I just hope this mail is not too late!
I appreciate the fact that you are not a network guru, but you can help.
If I understand your situation very well, you are not trying to connect to
then internet, are you? And you dont have a DHCP Server - a system that
automatically allocate IP addresses to Computers. In that case, you have to
help.
On that your system that has its IPCONFIG as 169.254 . . . . . right click
on my network places, select properties. Then right click on the LAN
connection again, also select properties, then click on TCI/IP and click on
Properties. In the Properties box where you have the IP addresses, select
"Use the following IP adress". Then input and IP address, similar to the one
you have on the system that is connected to the one you connected to the
internet. The essence is to make sure that the two systems are on the same
subnet/network. let the only difference be on the last subnet, that is, on
the last octet. If you have 24.175.213.236 and the subnet mask as
255.255.248.0, then you can write something like 24.175.213.237, with a
subnet msak as 255.255.248.0.
Try this and you should be able to see the two systems.

Please don't do this, even for problem diagnosis.

If you have one computer (or router) connected to the internet thru a broadband
(cable or DSL) modem, it's assigned a public ip address by the ISP.

If you connect a second computer, and assign yourself an address in the subnet
of the first computer, any address that you pick will duplicate one already in
the assignable address pool of the ISP. Either you, or the legitimate recepient
of the address you hijack, will end up unable to connect ("...address in
use...").

You have 3 choices:
1) Get a NAT router, as Carey suggests.
2) Setup one computer as a software NAT router ala Internet Connection Sharing.
3) Contact the ISP, and pay for a second ip address.

Assigning your own address, in the space owned by the ISP, is rude, and may get
your service suspended, at least temporarily, until the ISP can figure out what
problem you're causing.

Here are a few websites with useful tutorials:
http://www.cablesense.com/
http://www.homenethelp.com/
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
http://www.wown.com/

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net