Problem setting up new network/printer

[gregf]

I have a new Win XP machine, replacing an older one, trying to use the
same IP address. I can get it connected to the internet by using Assign
IP Address Automatically. It then can't find the printer which is on
another PC on the Network. In the past I've found I had to assign an IP
address in order to find and share the printer (amongst other reasons),
but this time it won't find the printer that way, and it looses it's
connection to the net.

I've gone thru this many times before, replacing or re-setting up a PC
on this same network, and I go thru this every time. I always get it to
work, but can never figure out exactly what I did to fix it. XP seems
to have this little game that needs to be played. Install Windows, go
thru the network setup wizard - connect to net - assign IP which then
finds printer but looses net connection - tweak with it endlessly, try
other addresses, reboot, scream, etc, and eventually it just starts
working.

Is there something I'm missing? I've tried 2 different Network Wizard
options, the only 2 that could apply (can't remember them now, I'm not
at the same network). I just can't get this one working.

 

[Ross Durie]

Do it manually so you actually learn something. THE WIZARD IS NOT REQUIRED
AND HAS NO WORTH.

You don't mention what you are using for a DHCP server, e.g., a router.
Maybe you have ICS enabled.

You don't even bother to mention IP number(s) and or subnet mask. It helps
if the subnet mask is identical on all machines, e.g., 255.255.255.0, and
that all machines are on the same subnet, e.g., 192.168.1.0.

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/troubleshoot/
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_filesharing/index.htm
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/filesharing.htm
N.B. Simple file sharing can be disabled in XP Home from Safe Mode.
http://www.careyholzman.com/net1.htm

 

[gregf]

Sorry, I wanted to be detailed without making it a 5 page report.
I've found in the past it seemed to work better when I let windows do
it's wizard, more for it than for me, but then again, I've always had
trouble with it, so maybe that's not the best thing.
The subnet is the same on all the machines. I'm using the address of
the machine that the new one has replaced, and it was working fine, at
least for a year of so it was, but come to think of it, before it died
(it had several problems) I think maybe we were having problems with it
finding the network.
All the PCs go to a switch, which is connected to a DSL modem. The
printer is simply attached to one of those PCs. All the others find the
network, the internet, and the printer. I can't figure out what's
different about this one, or what has changed.

 

[Ross Durie]

STEP 1. Ping the gateway (DSL router) and DNS servers. My guess is if you
are losing the Internet yet seeing the printer then the gateway or DNS
addresses are missng - or being removed by the wizard.

The DHCP server in the DSL router assigns an IP addresss, subnet mask,
gateway and DNS servers. If they aren't being assigned then they have to be
configured manually - static address etc.

Run ipconfig /all and post results.

 

[gregf]

I finally got it to work, but once again I have no idea why. I tried
the Add Printer wizard, couldn't find it, went to look at the IP &
network settings, scratched my head and changed nothing, went back to
Add Printer, still nothing, and kept repeating this until one time it
finally did find the printer. I really don't understand computers.