How to set up a networks?

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I have 3 computers: 1st one connects to a D-Link DI-514 802.11b router, 2nd one uses D-Link DWL-520 networks adaptor (wireless), and 3rd one uses D-Link DWL-122 networks adaptor (wireless). All computers can access to internet individually. If I like to set up a networks and share files between computers, do I need to use a hub or switch? How can I set up the networks step by step?
 
Darn good question. why not use a router?

I too, have been unable to get my two XP home units to integrate into a network. Perhaps someone will shed some light here. I get an administrator error. I am running a Linksys router and both computer can go on line with the DSL CONNECTION.
 
I have 3 computers: 1st one connects to a D-Link DI-514 802.11b router, 2nd one uses D-Link DWL-520 networks adaptor (wireless), and 3rd one uses D-Link DWL-122 networks adaptor (wireless). All computers can access to internet individually. If I like to set up a networks and share files between computers, do I need to use a hub or switch? How can I set up the networks step by step?

Wilson,

Are computers 2 and 3 connecting to the D-Link router also? If so, you already
have your hub (switch). Physical connection is a start.

What OS (name and version) is on each computer?

Are you running both Client for Microsoft Networks, and File and Printer Sharing
for Microsoft Networks (Local Area Connection - Properties), on both computers?
Do you have shares setup on both?

Are you running NetBIOS Over TCP/IP (Local Area Connection - Properties - TCP/IP
- Properties - Advanced - WINS) on all computers?

Make sure the browser service is running on each computer. Control Panel -
Administrative Tools - Services. Verify that the Computer Browser service is
started.

On any XP Pro computers, check to see if Simple File Sharing (Control Panel -
Folder Options - View - Advanced settings) is enabled or disabled. The correct
setting will be determined by the absence or presence of any non XP Pro
computers also on the network.

If SFS is disabled, check the Local Security Policy (Control Panel -
Administrative Tools). Under Local Policies - Security Options, look at
"Network access: Sharing and security model", and ensure it's set to "Classic -
local users authenticate as themselves".

If you set the Local Security Policy to "Guest only", make sure that the Guest
account is enabled, and has an identical, non-blank, password on all computers.
If "Classic", setup and use a common account with identical, non-blank, password
on all computers.

Do any of the computers have a software firewall (ICF or third party)? If so,
you need to configure them for file sharing, by opening ports TCP 139, 445 and
UDP 137, 138, 445, and / or by identifying the other computers as present in the
Local (Trusted) zone. Firewall configurations are a very common cause of
(network) browser problems.

Here are a couple websites with useful tutorials:
http://www.cablesense.com/
http://www.homenethelp.com/

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
 
Ok... I think that the other two responses have been a
bit to complicated... If it were me reading that over,
then I'd have one helluva time trying to figure it out.

You don't need a hub or switch to connect the computers
on a network. Your router will do just fine. The only
reason why you'd want a switch is if you were managing a
network of about 20 computers (or more).

Ok, first things first, you've got all three computers
connecting to the internet (which I'm guessing is
connected to the WAN or Uplink port on the DI-514). Check
to make sure that each of the three computers can connect
to the setup screen of the router (I think the IP for the
DI-514 is 192.168.0.1, but check the manual to be sure).

Next, disable all firewall software (including the
Windows Firewall, which can be found in the properties of
the connection that you are using). If you don't disable
it at first, then you will probably run into problems
when you try to get the computers to connect to each
other. Until Service Pack 2 comes out, you will have to
keep the Windows Firewall disabled, since it blocks
File&Print Sharing.

Once all three computers can connect to the router and
you've disabled the firewalls, then the next step should
be easy. Go to "My Network places" and click on the link
that says "Set up a Home or Small Office network". Follow
the instructions that are provided. The only really key
point here is that the settings that you enter are the
same for all three computers (it should be the selection
that says you connect through a "residential gateway"),
and that the Workgroup name is the same for all three
computers. Make sure that you make a note of
the "Computer Name" for each computer (you'll understand
why later). Just note that these computer names must be
DIFFERENT for each computer. This is the only thing that
should be different for all of the computers. Reboot each
of the computers as prompted.


Now here is the part that will make your life a little
bit easier. I've always found it easier to enter the
location of the other computers manually rather than
browsing for them. Remember the computer names that you
entered in the Network Setup Wizard? Right-click on the
desktop and select New->Shortcut. In the white box that
appears, type in the following:

\\ComputerName

where ComputerName is the name that you entered in the
Network Setup Wizard. Then click on OK. There you go!
You've now got a shortcut to the other computer on your
network. From here, you can browse through the other
computers files that are shared.

Just a note, it is usually a bit easier to set up the
links to the other computers if the logons on all the
computers do not have passwords associated with them.

Let us know if all goes well.

Nick
nkjg/at\interchange/dot\ubc/dot\ca

-----Original Message-----
I have 3 computers: 1st one connects to a D-Link DI-514
802.11b router, 2nd one uses D-Link DWL-520 networks
adaptor (wireless), and 3rd one uses D-Link DWL-122
networks adaptor (wireless). All computers can access to
internet individually. If I like to set up a networks
and share files between computers, do I need to use a hub
or switch? How can I set up the networks step by step?
 
After a bit of breaking down walls, I did find the firewall switch within Internet Security/Norton and have my little two computer network up and running. I will slowly put some protect back up until it stops working and live with that much " security" in my life. It seems to be just one switch within Norton defaulting to " block file sharing".

thanks for the pook in the gray matte
 
Heya,

To get Norton to allow your two computers to talk to each
other, check under the Norton Personal Firewall-
Configure for the Networking tab. Click on the "Trusted"
tab and click on Add. Now go to your network settings
properties (in Windows), and check the subnet mask and
default gateway. In Norton, enter a Network Address with
the Default gateway (or your router's IP) under the IP
address, and the subnet mask under subnet mask.

If you set this up correctly, it will allow your two
computers to see each other but still keep your full
protection to the internet. I think that you can
configure this for different networks that you connect to
in NIS2002 and later.

Let me know if you get this working.

Hope this helps,

Nick
nkjg/at\interchange/dot\ubc/dot\ca

-----Original Message-----
After a bit of breaking down walls, I did find the
firewall switch within Internet Security/Norton and have
my little two computer network up and running. I will
slowly put some protect back up until it stops working
and live with that much " security" in my life. It seems
to be just one switch within Norton defaulting to " block
file sharing".
 
I try to setup 2 PC first. The first PC (connnect to router directly) is working fine. Then use the disk to setup the 2nd PC (use wireless adaptor). After it is finished, I try to view the workgrounp in the 2nd PC, it says:
"Homebase is not accessible. You might not have permission to use thi
network resource. Contact the administrator... <blah><blah><blah>
The 1st PC can see the 2nd PC and share files, but the 2nd PC cannot see anything. Both PCs have single user, no guest account assigned, so no password setup. Zone Alrmt de-activated, window xp firewall de-activated. Do I need to set up a password to make it works

thanks,
Wilson
 
I try to setup 2 PC first. The first PC (connnect to router directly) is working fine. Then use the disk to setup the 2nd PC (use wireless adaptor). After it is finished, I try to view the workgrounp in the 2nd PC, it says:
"Homebase is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this
network resource. Contact the administrator... <blah><blah><blah>"
The 1st PC can see the 2nd PC and share files, but the 2nd PC cannot see anything. Both PCs have single user, no guest account assigned, so no password setup. Zone Alrmt de-activated, window xp firewall de-activated. Do I need to set up a password to make it works?

thanks,
Wilson

Wilson,

With Zone Alarm, you need to configure it for file sharing, by identifying the
other computers as present in the Local (Trusted) zone. You can't deactivate ZA
- you have to re activate, then either configure or un install. Attempted ZA de
activation is a frequent cause of this problem.

If any computers are running XP Pro, check to see if Simple File Sharing
(Control Panel - Folder Options - View - Advanced settings) is enabled or
disabled.

If SFS is disabled, check the Local Security Policy (Control Panel -
Administrative Tools). Under Local Policies - Security Options, look at
"Network access: Sharing and security model", and ensure it's set to "Classic -
local users authenticate as themselves".

If you set the Local Security Policy to "Guest only", make sure that the Guest
account is enabled, and has an identical, non-blank, password on all computers.
If "Classic", setup and use a common account with identical, non-blank, password
on all computers.

Please do give each account an identical, non-blank, password on each computer.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
 
Thank you for your help. Now I have 2 computer seeing each other. PC1 has zone alarm can see and access to the shared folder of PC2 (no zone alarm). But PC2 can only access to the 1st level of the shared folder of PC1. When I try to access to the next level of PC1 from PC2, it says "you have no permittion to access ..." Should I do something on the Zone Alarm? or should I do something on the shared folder or shared drive

Thanks, Wilson
 
Thank you for your help. Now I have 2 computer seeing each other. PC1 has zone alarm can see and access to the shared folder of PC2 (no zone alarm). But PC2 can only access to the 1st level of the shared folder of PC1. When I try to access to the next level of PC1 from PC2, it says "you have no permittion to access ..." Should I do something on the Zone Alarm? or should I do something on the shared folder or shared drive?

Thanks, Wilson

Wilson,

IMHO, you need to configure ZA on PC1, defining its Local (Trusted) Zone as
containing PC2.

Did you never install ZA on PC2? Or did you just un install it?

Is either computer running XP Pro? If so, you then need to check the SFS / LSP
settings as noted in my previous post.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
 
Now I un-install all the ZA, so both PC has no ZA. Both PCs use Windows XP professional ps1. I can access from PC1 to PC2, but only for those folders contain data, cannot access to Program Files. From PC2 to PC1, I can only see the folders on PC1. When I try to open any folder, it says "you have no permission ... Access denied". Can I set the computer so I can even access to those program files

Thanks, Wilson
 
Now I un-install all the ZA, so both PC has no ZA. Both PCs use Windows XP professional ps1. I can access from PC1 to PC2, but only for those folders contain data, cannot access to Program Files. From PC2 to PC1, I can only see the folders on PC1. When I try to open any folder, it says "you have no permission ... Access denied". Can I set the computer so I can even access to those program files?

Thanks, Wilson

Wilson,

OK, you have several items to consider. And you need to resolve all of them, if
you're going to solve your problems.

1) Folder "C:\Program Files" is, by default, set with access permitted to
administrators only. Which means that, to access "C:\Program Files" on PC2 from
PC1, you must be logged in to PC1 with an account (with identical password) that
exists on PC2 with administrative authority. Which brings us to item 2.

2) With a pair of XP Pro computers, you need to check the Simple File Sharing /
Local Security Policy settings on both computers, and make sure they are
identical. Out of synch SFS / LSP settings could easily cause your problem
accessing PC1 from PC2.

3) Even if you get items 1 and 2 cleared up, Zone Alarm could still be causing
problems. Uninstalling ZA sometimes causes problems of its own, I recommend
you re install ZA on both computers, then configure both to allow file sharing.
After you recheck and synchronise SFS / LSP settings on both computers.

Check to see if Simple File Sharing (Control Panel - Folder Options - View -
Advanced settings) is enabled or disabled. With XP Pro on both PCs, you need to
have the SFS settings the same on each computer.

If SFS is disabled, check the Local Security Policy (Control Panel -
Administrative Tools). Under Local Policies - Security Options, look at
"Network access: Sharing and security model", and ensure it's set to "Classic -
local users authenticate as themselves".

If you set the Local Security Policy to "Guest only", make sure that the Guest
account is enabled, and has an identical, non-blank, password on all computers.
Note that use of Guest for network authentication will not get you access to
"C:Program Files" on the other computer. If "Classic", setup and use a common
account with identical, non-blank, password on both computers (and
administrative authority, to access "C:\Program Files").

With ZA installed and enabled on each PC, you need to identify the other
computers as present in the Local (Trusted) zone. Firewall configurations are a
very common cause of (network) browser and file sharing problems.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
 
Thank you for explaining it for beginners,but; I still am having problems
I've done eveything you've said, more than once
I can't log on the the network, I can't find either computer. When I search for either pc, they say not available
I also get "... contact administrator......
Is there something I'm missing
I 'm running both computers with Microsoft XP Pro
Any help is much appreciated

----- nkjg wrote: ----

Ok... I think that the other two responses have been a
bit to complicated... If it were me reading that over,
then I'd have one helluva time trying to figure it out

You don't need a hub or switch to connect the computers
on a network. Your router will do just fine. The only
reason why you'd want a switch is if you were managing a
network of about 20 computers (or more)

Ok, first things first, you've got all three computers
connecting to the internet (which I'm guessing is
connected to the WAN or Uplink port on the DI-514). Check
to make sure that each of the three computers can connect
to the setup screen of the router (I think the IP for the
DI-514 is 192.168.0.1, but check the manual to be sure)

Next, disable all firewall software (including the
Windows Firewall, which can be found in the properties of
the connection that you are using). If you don't disable
it at first, then you will probably run into problems
when you try to get the computers to connect to each
other. Until Service Pack 2 comes out, you will have to
keep the Windows Firewall disabled, since it blocks
File&Print Sharing.

Once all three computers can connect to the router and
you've disabled the firewalls, then the next step should
be easy. Go to "My Network places" and click on the link
that says "Set up a Home or Small Office network". Follow
the instructions that are provided. The only really key
point here is that the settings that you enter are the
same for all three computers (it should be the selection
that says you connect through a "residential gateway"),
and that the Workgroup name is the same for all three
computers. Make sure that you make a note of
the "Computer Name" for each computer (you'll understand
why later). Just note that these computer names must be
DIFFERENT for each computer. This is the only thing that
should be different for all of the computers. Reboot each
of the computers as prompted


Now here is the part that will make your life a little
bit easier. I've always found it easier to enter the
location of the other computers manually rather than
browsing for them. Remember the computer names that you
entered in the Network Setup Wizard? Right-click on the
desktop and select New->Shortcut. In the white box that
appears, type in the following

\\ComputerName

where ComputerName is the name that you entered in the
Network Setup Wizard. Then click on OK. There you go!
You've now got a shortcut to the other computer on your
network. From here, you can browse through the other
computers files that are shared

Just a note, it is usually a bit easier to set up the
links to the other computers if the logons on all the
computers do not have passwords associated with them

Let us know if all goes well

Nic
nkjg/at\interchange/dot\ubc/dot\c

-----Original Message----
I have 3 computers: 1st one connects to a D-Link DI-514
802.11b router, 2nd one uses D-Link DWL-520 networks
adaptor (wireless), and 3rd one uses D-Link DWL-122
networks adaptor (wireless). All computers can access to
internet individually. If I like to set up a networks
and share files between computers, do I need to use a hub
or switch? How can I set up the networks step by step
 

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