Unable to get LAN connected

[OLIM]

Have a computer (downstairs) acting as a server, with
Cisco Wireless Broadband connected,(which is working
fine), wired to a hub on landing, (to connect to more
computers,[via LAN] for the Internet & printer only) but
cannot seem to get it to connect, says its disconnected
with a cross in system tray, have checked the hub and
everything else I can think of, to no avail, any advice
please?

 

[Chuck]

Have a computer (downstairs) acting as a server, with
Cisco Wireless Broadband connected,(which is working
fine), wired to a hub on landing, (to connect to more
computers,[via LAN] for the Internet & printer only) but
cannot seem to get it to connect, says its disconnected
with a cross in system tray, have checked the hub and
everything else I can think of, to no avail, any advice
please?

You have successfully connected other computers to this same hub? Switch cable
/ hub port between one working computer, and the problem computer.

Did you run hardware diagnostics for the network card?

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

 

[OLIM]

Please explain in simple terms, how I run hardware
diagnostics for the network card? Is my network card the
Wireless Network have installed on the Host computer?
Cannot do this, as none work! Even though did get one
working some time ago. But cannot get the LAN working on
the Host computer, (server), so no point in trying to get
the client computers connected, yet. should I un-install
the Cisco Wireless and re-install? Although I can get
online on the host computer fine.

-----Original Message-----

Have a computer (downstairs) acting as a server, with
Cisco Wireless Broadband connected,(which is working
fine), wired to a hub on landing, (to connect to more
computers,[via LAN] for the Internet & printer only) but
cannot seem to get it to connect, says its disconnected
with a cross in system tray, have checked the hub and
everything else I can think of, to no avail, any advice
please?

You have successfully connected other computers to this same hub? Switch cable
/ hub port between one working computer, and the problem computer.
Did you run hardware diagnostics for the network card?

Cheers,
Chuck

 

[Chuck]

Please explain in simple terms, how I run hardware
diagnostics for the network card? Is my network card the
Wireless Network have installed on the Host computer?
Cannot do this, as none work! Even though did get one
working some time ago. But cannot get the LAN working on
the Host computer, (server), so no point in trying to get
the client computers connected, yet. should I un-install
the Cisco Wireless and re-install? Although I can get
online on the host computer fine.

The network card is whatever card you are using on any computer to connect to
the network. There are (may be) two different ways to run hardware diagnostics.

Control Panel - System - Hardware - Device Manager (find the network card in the
list) - Properties - Device status - Troubleshoot runs diagnostics from the
system provided wizard.

If you installed network card drivers using a vendor supplied wizard, there may
be a menu item for the network card, which may have a diagnostics wizard
somewhere. RTM, if one was provided.

If you can get online from any computer, then your problem probably is not
network card related. Focus on the computers with the most immediate problems
first.

If you have a wired computer with problem connecting ("says its disconnected
with a cross in system tray"), you may have one of several problems:
- Bad port in hub / switch / router
- Bad network cable (wrong type - cross-over vs straight-thru)
- Bad network card in computer

For testing purposes, use a known good network cable and hub / switch / router
port. Temporarily locate the hub / switch / router next to the computer with
the problem, and try connecting the computer to a known good cable and port.

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

 

[OLIM]

Yes do have problems connecting to the LAN which is set
to connect to client computers from the host/server,
("says its disconnected with a cross in system tray"),yet
the host/server is able to connect to the internet &
email with no problems (on a wireless setup). Maybe I
have a bad port in hub, would trying another hub, (that I
know is working) on this set-up be the answer?

 

[Chuck]

Yes do have problems connecting to the LAN which is set
to connect to client computers from the host/server,
("says its disconnected with a cross in system tray"),yet
the host/server is able to connect to the internet &
email with no problems (on a wireless setup). Maybe I
have a bad port in hub, would trying another hub, (that I
know is working) on this set-up be the answer?

Trying another, known good, hub is a good start. Is the computer with a problem
the only wired computer?

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

 

[OLIM]

Thanks for reply. Found out the hup was at fault, but
when tried another hub to test, showed LAN was connected
fine on host/server computer, but on this host computer
could not get online, when disabled the Ethernet LAN
connection (borrowed hub) could get online no problems!
Will be getting a new hub, but could this cause the same
problem? Cannot understand this, even re-started to see
if worked. So far there is only the host computer in
operation, (the Wireless one), the other computers going
to link (for internet) on this hub, have not yet
connected, with the ongoing problems, felt it not worth
trying. Have checked the hardware, says everything is
working fine! Can you explain, why I'm getting this
problem? As its the internet the client computers want to
use.

-----Original Message-----

I know is working) on this set-up be the answer?

Trying another, known good, hub is a good start. Is the

computer with a problem the only wired computer?

 

[Chuck]

Thanks for reply. Found out the hup was at fault, but
when tried another hub to test, showed LAN was connected
fine on host/server computer, but on this host computer
could not get online, when disabled the Ethernet LAN
connection (borrowed hub) could get online no problems!
Will be getting a new hub, but could this cause the same
problem? Cannot understand this, even re-started to see
if worked. So far there is only the host computer in
operation, (the Wireless one), the other computers going
to link (for internet) on this hub, have not yet
connected, with the ongoing problems, felt it not worth
trying. Have checked the hardware, says everything is
working fine! Can you explain, why I'm getting this
problem? As its the internet the client computers want to
use.

Please start by describing the physical layout of your LAN - what devices are
connected to each other, relative physical location of each device, makes and
models of network equipment too.

Here are a few websites with tutorials on networking that you might want to
browse:
http://www.cablesense.com/
http://www.homenethelp.com/
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
http://www.wown.com/

Next, provide ipconfig information for each computer.
Start - Run - "cmd". Type "ipconfig /all >c:\ipconfig.txt" into the command
window - Open c:\ipconfig.txt in Notepad, make sure that Format - Word Wrap is
NOT checked!, copy and paste entire contents into your next post. Identify
operating system (by name, version, and SP level) with each ipconfig listing.

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

 

[OLIM]

Thanks for reply. Answer to your question.
The LAN is using a fast Ethernet adapter, (sorry not at
problem computer so unable to give name), installed
inside the host/server computer (has been working before)
& is then wired from this computer downstairs to
upstairs, (on landing) where the new 'Sitecom' Network
Switch (5 port) is going to be installed, then up to 3
laptops or computers would be plugged into this Network
Switch wired to each bedroom. They would then configure
their own laptops to the one downstairs, have this system
working in 3 other houses, with up to 6 bedrooms using
only a hub on landing, and is working fine. So cannot
understand why this house has the problem? Maybe using a
Network Switch instead of a simple hub (as told this is
better) may work when it gets installed. I will look at
the websites you mention also.

-----Original Message-----


Please start by describing the physical layout of your
LAN - what devices are connected to each other, relative

physical location of each device, makes and models of ?

network equipment too.

Here are a few websites with tutorials on networking that you might want to
browse:
http://www.cablesense.com/
http://www.homenethelp.com/
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
http://www.wown.com/

Next, provide ipconfig information for each computer.
Start - Run - "cmd". Type "ipconfig /all
c:\ipconfig.txt" into the command
window - Open c:\ipconfig.txt in Notepad, make sure that Format - Word Wrap is
NOT checked!, copy and paste entire contents into your next post. Identify
operating system (by name, version, and SP level) with

each ipconfig listing. Cheers, Chuck

 

[Chuck]

Thanks for reply. Answer to your question.
The LAN is using a fast Ethernet adapter, (sorry not at
problem computer so unable to give name), installed
inside the host/server computer (has been working before)
& is then wired from this computer downstairs to
upstairs, (on landing) where the new 'Sitecom' Network
Switch (5 port) is going to be installed, then up to 3
laptops or computers would be plugged into this Network
Switch wired to each bedroom. They would then configure
their own laptops to the one downstairs, have this system
working in 3 other houses, with up to 6 bedrooms using
only a hub on landing, and is working fine. So cannot
understand why this house has the problem? Maybe using a
Network Switch instead of a simple hub (as told this is
better) may work when it gets installed. I will look at
the websites you mention also.

Firstly, using a switch instead of a hub is absolutely a good idea, if you have
more than 3 computers connected. A hub is exactly like a party line phone
system (do you know anyone who can reminisce about party lines?). As cheap as
switches are, I cannot imagine why anybody would use hubs.

Unfortunately, a switch, by itself, probably won't solve a connectivity problem
like yours. Since you have multiple computers in your house, you're going to
have to move things around a bit to isolate your problem.

A connectivity issue like yours has 3 possible causes:
1) Component A (ie the hub).
2) Component B (ie the cable).
3) Component C (ie the computer).

You're going to have to swap things around a bit, connect the problem computer
in place of one of the other computers (IOW use a known good cable and hub port
to connect the problem computer). Then connect a good computer to the cable /
hub port that's involved in the problem. And see where the problem shows up.

How did you decide that the original hub was bad? Have you considered getting a
router, and eliminating the "host" issue altogether?

Also, how are you running these cables up and down the stairs without
interference between people and cables? Are they store bought cables with
pre-assembled connectors? Or custom length cables with connectors attached
on-site? How do you protect the cables from damage?

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

 

[Chuck]

Thanks for reply. Answer to your question.
The LAN is using a fast Ethernet adapter, (sorry not at
problem computer so unable to give name), installed
inside the host/server computer (has been working before)
& is then wired from this computer downstairs to
upstairs, (on landing) where the new 'Sitecom' Network
Switch (5 port) is going to be installed, then up to 3
laptops or computers would be plugged into this Network
Switch wired to each bedroom. They would then configure
their own laptops to the one downstairs, have this system
working in 3 other houses, with up to 6 bedrooms using
only a hub on landing, and is working fine. So cannot
understand why this house has the problem? Maybe using a
Network Switch instead of a simple hub (as told this is
better) may work when it gets installed. I will look at
the websites you mention also.

Firstly, using a switch instead of a hub is absolutely a good idea, if you have
more than 3 computers connected. A hub is exactly like a party line phone
system (do you know anyone who can reminisce about party lines?). As cheap as
switches are, I cannot imagine why anybody would use hubs.

Unfortunately, a switch, by itself, probably won't solve a connectivity problem
like yours. Since you have multiple computers in your house, you're going to
have to move things around a bit to isolate your problem.

A connectivity issue like yours has 3 possible causes:
1) Component A (ie the hub).
2) Component B (ie the cable).
3) Component C (ie the computer).

You're going to have to swap things around a bit, connect the problem computer
in place of one of the other computers (IOW use a known good cable and hub port
to connect the problem computer). Then connect a good computer to the cable /
hub port that's involved in the problem. And see where the problem shows up.

How did you decide that the original hub was bad? Have you considered getting a
router, and eliminating the "host" issue altogether?

Also, how are you running these cables up and down the stairs without
interference between people and cables? Are they store bought cables with
pre-assembled connectors? Or custom length cables with connectors attached
on-site? How do you protect the cables from damage?

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

 

[OLIM]

Thanks again. Am running Windows XP Prof.
1. Cannot change the computers round, as there is extra
hardware installed in the Host/server called 'Cisco
Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapter' to be able to
receive (via aerial on roof), the Internet by Wireless
Broadband, (NOT cable or through the telephone line,on
ADSL). Our other 3 houses use the same system, working
correctly. (It is a local system for this area, trying
to get more people cheaply onto the internet). I have
added the Ethernet adapter, to enable other computers to
access the internet through this computer, (Is ok in our
other houses. Host computer & system is free of charge to
our tenants!)
2. Unable to use a router, as it has to go through the
host computer, with the Cisco system installed, to get
the internet.
3. Cables used are:
A. From Host PC to Network Switch is a Crossover patch
cable, inside trunking up the edge of stairs and round
the walls. If cable was damaged, would not show on host
computer as connected.
B. From Switch to bedrooms are UTP Patch cables. Unable
to know, if working or not.
Both are store bought cables with pre-assembled
connectors.

At the moment no computers are connected in bedrooms, as
they would not be able to access the internet anyway! As
the problem is: when the Ethernet LAN is connected
downstairs on host, then cannot get online to any
websites, so when disabled this Ethernet LAN, can get
online ok, (on host PC).
Tried a working hub from another house! Except that the
above problem was discovered. Before, could not get the
Ethernet LAN to connect at all, (on host PC). Had red
cross on it, in system tray.
Hope the above answers your questions? Many thanks for
trying to help me, do appreciate it.

-----Original Message-----

Firstly, using a switch instead of a hub is absolutely a good idea, if you have
more than 3 computers connected. A hub is exactly like a party line phone
system (do you know anyone who can reminisce about party lines?). As cheap as
switches are, I cannot imagine why anybody would use hubs.

Unfortunately, a switch, by itself, probably won't solve a connectivity problem
like yours. Since you have multiple computers in your house, you're going to
have to move things around a bit to isolate your problem.
A connectivity issue like yours has 3 possible causes:
1) Component A (ie the hub).
2) Component B (ie the cable).
3) Component C (ie the computer).
You're going to have to swap things around a bit,

Connect the problem computer in place of one of the other
computers (IOW use a known good cable and hub port to
connect the problem computer). Then connect a good
computer to the cable / Hub port that's involved in the
problem. And see where the problem shows up.