Windows XP Network Issues

[Bruno De Barros]

Hello. I have three computers. A desktop with Windows Vista, a laptop
with Windows XP and another desktop with Windows XP.

I have been messing with everything, trying to make this network work.
Sometimes it does, other times it doesn't. It's an adhoc connection,
as I do not have a wireless access point. The two desktops have a
wireless adapter, and the laptop has it's own built-in adapter. I can
connect my Vista with my laptop, but only sometimes will it work. I
don't know how it starts working or not, it's just by chance, after
some rebooting on both ends. My Windows XP Desktop doesn't even get
the network. I think it's because of the range of the adapters.

What I wonder is... How would I go and make this network work
properly, for my Vista and my laptop, reliably? Because at the moment,
I can spend 30 minutes trying to get them to connect, and they still
won't do it, and it's really annoying, when I need the network.

And, to make the three computers always be connected on the network,
would it really be necessary to have a wireless access point? Or can
it be done using adhoc networking?

Also, I have a USB modem that provides me with internet connection.
I've been trying to search for ways to share the internet over a
network, but failed to do it. Any ideas?

Thank you very much in advance.

 

[smlunatick]

Hello. I have three computers. A desktop with Windows Vista, a laptop
with Windows XP and another desktop with Windows XP.

I have been messing with everything, trying to make this network work.
Sometimes it does, other times it doesn't. It's an adhoc connection,
as I do not have a wireless access point. The two desktops have a
wireless adapter, and the laptop has it's own built-in adapter. I can
connect my Vista with my laptop, but only sometimes will it work. I
don't know how it starts working or not, it's just by chance, after
some rebooting on both ends. My Windows XP Desktop doesn't even get
the network. I think it's because of the range of the adapters.

What I wonder is... How would I go and make this network work
properly, for my Vista and my laptop, reliably? Because at the moment,
I can spend 30 minutes trying to get them to connect, and they still
won't do it, and it's really annoying, when I need the network.

And, to make the three computers always be connected on the network,
would it really be necessary to have a wireless access point? Or can
it be done using adhoc networking?

Also, I have a USB modem that provides me with internet connection.
I've been trying to search for ways to share the internet over a
network, but failed to do it. Any ideas?

Thank you very much in advance.

I believe that Ad-Hoc networks can only really be done between two
"devices" at one time. If more "devices" are to be connected, a
affordable broadband router should be used.

 

[Lem]

I believe that Ad-Hoc networks can only really be done between two
"devices" at one time. If more "devices" are to be connected, a
affordable broadband router should be used.

In Win XP, at least, ad hoc networks can support up to 9 connections
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457016.aspx#ECAA
--
Lem -- MS-MVP

To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

 

[Lem]

Hello. I have three computers. A desktop with Windows Vista, a laptop
with Windows XP and another desktop with Windows XP.

I have been messing with everything, trying to make this network work.
Sometimes it does, other times it doesn't. It's an adhoc connection,
as I do not have a wireless access point. The two desktops have a
wireless adapter, and the laptop has it's own built-in adapter. I can
connect my Vista with my laptop, but only sometimes will it work. I
don't know how it starts working or not, it's just by chance, after
some rebooting on both ends. My Windows XP Desktop doesn't even get
the network. I think it's because of the range of the adapters.

What I wonder is... How would I go and make this network work
properly, for my Vista and my laptop, reliably? Because at the moment,
I can spend 30 minutes trying to get them to connect, and they still
won't do it, and it's really annoying, when I need the network.

And, to make the three computers always be connected on the network,
would it really be necessary to have a wireless access point? Or can
it be done using adhoc networking?

Also, I have a USB modem that provides me with internet connection.
I've been trying to search for ways to share the internet over a
network, but failed to do it. Any ideas?

Thank you very much in advance.

At this point, it's difficult to determine what your "messing" has done
to your various computers.

To answer your last question, you *can* have an ad hoc network of 3
computers. If one of them is also connected to the Internet, you can
share that connection over your ad hoc network. This is called "Internet
Connection Sharing."

Here are some general help sites:

Ad hoc networking in Vista
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457016.aspx#ECAA

Ad hoc internet sharing with XP
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...8e-3762-4e78-b372-8404eeb7f41a&DisplayLang=en

If your computers are too far apart, or if there are obstructions
between them that block radio transmissions (some types of home
construction walls are more effective radio shields than others) this
could easily affect your connectivity. Other sources of radio frequency
interference, such as microwave ovens and certain cordless telephones
and baby monitors also could cause problems.

In general, however, you would be better off getting a wireless router.
This would give you much greater flexibility, provide a barrier between
your computers and the Internet, and -- because you have XP computers in
the mix -- permit you to use WPA or WPA2 encryption. Right now, assuming
that you're using encryption at all (and I suspect you're not), you're
limited to WEP. With tools commonly-available on the Internet, WEP
encryption can be cracked in a matter of minutes.

The only caveat is that I don't know of any of the usual crop of home
wireless routers that can be used with a USB modem. If you elect to get
a wireless router, you will have to also buy a modem (DSL? Cable?) that
connects to the router with Ethernet.

For more Internet Connection Sharing info, especially if you're using a
dial-up connection, see
http://practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/index.htm
--
Lem -- MS-MVP

To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

 

[Bruno De Barros]

That page contains very useful information. I'll have to read it.