WXP Home Wireless laptop can't see network

[Mark Poblete]

I have a Dell Inspiron 600m laptop running Windows XP Home with a
wireless connection to the rest of my home network, which is connected
by a Netgear router to my cable modem. I have run the Network Setup
Wizard and am abled to see the correct workgroup name in the Network
Places window, but when I attempt to view the computers on the
workgroup I get an error message that the workgroup is unavailable.
The other two computers on the wired portion of this network are
having no problems of this sort. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks for your help in advance!

 

[Lee Sanders]

Several questions for clarification.
1. Where does your wireless node enter the LAN?
2. Does the Netgear act as your LAN's DHCP?
3. Has the wireless node/laptop received a TCP/IP from the DHCP?
4. Have you run IPCONFIG from both the hardwired and wireless computers to
determine which computers actually see which computers?
5. How are your computers connecting to the internet via the cable modem,
do they use ICS?

Make sure your wireless node has the same workgroup name and is set to
receive its TCP/IP from the DHCP router. This is separate from the computer
having the same network name.
I would make sure that WEP was disabled until you get all the bugs worked
out of the setup.

I run a Linksys router/gateway/wireless LAN with a wireless laptop
connection and a wired print server for the printer and have had several
computers connected by Cat5 cable. I use a DSL modem controlled by the
router gateway. The problem with a home LAN is usually getting all the
computers to receive their TCP/IP from the DHCP server. Having this done
automatically insures that the network sets itself up. You can also find
more info from http://www.practicallynetworked.com/ and
http://www.broadbandreports.com/. Good luck.
LeeS