XP Computers won't talk to each other nor file share

[GGG]

I have 4 computers,
3 laptops:
Me,(192.168.1.109)
Kristi (192.168.1.106),
Family (192.168.1.103)

1 entertainment center
1 desktop:

Basement (192.168.15.2)
--- with attached prtiner that I have made shared.
-- is hardwired into the Linksys router.
-- can get internet access on all computers, wired, or wireless.


I want to share files, remote login, and be able to print from any
laptop.


I can remote desktop between the three laptops, with some difficulty
(I think one system needs to have some setting reset, but can't find
it).. and the entertainment center.

The desktop is a different story.... I cannot see any other laptops
on the desktop.

All DNS servers point to the same address.
All computers can access the router, and get internet. The WIFI
router is hardwared into the desktop.
No computers can share information between each other...Meaning, I
cannot see Basement, nor can I see either of the other laptops. (from
Me)
No laptops can access the shared printer on Basement.
All IP's and DNS addreesses are obtained automatically. (from the
desktop-- this surprised me a bit).
Firewall protection on Basement is disabled.
I have tried to "create a home network", on Basement and both laptops.

The Linksys router shows only 192.168.1.x addresses, no sign of
192.168.15.2. In fact, I cannot find any indicator on how the
192.168.15.2 address is deduced.

What do I need to do to get the computers to all show up on the
network?
What can I do to change the IP settings of Basement, so that they're
all on the "same channel"?
Anything else I can try to make this setup work?

 

[Bob Willard]

I have 4 computers,
3 laptops:
Me,(192.168.1.109)
Kristi (192.168.1.106),
Family (192.168.1.103)

1 entertainment center
1 desktop:

Basement (192.168.15.2)
--- with attached prtiner that I have made shared.
-- is hardwired into the Linksys router.
-- can get internet access on all computers, wired, or wireless.


I want to share files, remote login, and be able to print from any
laptop.


I can remote desktop between the three laptops, with some difficulty
(I think one system needs to have some setting reset, but can't find
it).. and the entertainment center.

The desktop is a different story.... I cannot see any other laptops
on the desktop.

All DNS servers point to the same address.
All computers can access the router, and get internet. The WIFI
router is hardwared into the desktop.
No computers can share information between each other...Meaning, I
cannot see Basement, nor can I see either of the other laptops. (from
Me)
No laptops can access the shared printer on Basement.
All IP's and DNS addreesses are obtained automatically. (from the
desktop-- this surprised me a bit).
Firewall protection on Basement is disabled.
I have tried to "create a home network", on Basement and both laptops.

The Linksys router shows only 192.168.1.x addresses, no sign of
192.168.15.2. In fact, I cannot find any indicator on how the
192.168.15.2 address is deduced.

What do I need to do to get the computers to all show up on the
network?
What can I do to change the IP settings of Basement, so that they're
all on the "same channel"?
Anything else I can try to make this setup work?

For starters, change the IPA of Basement from 192.168.15.2 to 192.168.1.x,
where x is different from your other PCs, like 123. {I'm assuming, from
the IPAs you listed, that you use static IPAs. I would have used DHCP
for all PCs, but static will certainly work.}

And check that all PCs use a mask of 255.255.255.0 to put them all in
the same subnet.

 

[GGG]

For starters, change the IPA of Basement from 192.168.15.2 to 192.168.1.x,
where x is different from your other PCs, like 123. {I'm assuming, from
the IPAs you listed, that you use static IPAs. I would have used DHCP
for all PCs, but static will certainly work.}

And check that all PCs use a mask of 255.255.255.0 to put them all in
the same subnet.

I"m not sure how to change the IPA of Basement. I've been doing a
little looking around on how to change, but I'm not sure if these
options will work. All IPA's are generated automatically., not
manually. I could make them manual, being this is a desktop, and it
ain't gonna move, but I thought, there might be a more "elloquent" way
to do this. They are DHCP's, not static, and Basement is from a
corporate enviornment, and didn't have any of the settings changed, so
it's probably hyper-secure.
Still not sure why I can't see any of the other laptops on my system
(another laptop, all under the 192.168.1.x set.).
thanks for your ideas, but I think I need a little more direction

Dobs

 

[Bob Willard]

I"m not sure how to change the IPA of Basement. I've been doing a
little looking around on how to change, but I'm not sure if these
options will work. All IPA's are generated automatically., not
manually. I could make them manual, being this is a desktop, and it
ain't gonna move, but I thought, there might be a more "elloquent" way
to do this. They are DHCP's, not static, and Basement is from a
corporate enviornment, and didn't have any of the settings changed, so
it's probably hyper-secure.
Still not sure why I can't see any of the other laptops on my system
(another laptop, all under the 192.168.1.x set.).
thanks for your ideas, but I think I need a little more direction

Dobs

Basement can't see the other PCs because they are in a difference subnet:
Basement is in the 192.168.15.x subnet, and the others are in the
192.168.1.x subnet. That must be fixed first.

Since the other PCs do not have consequtive IPAs, I assumed that they were
using static IPAs. If there are other things sucking up IPAs, that would
explain the holes in the IPA map. I also assume that all PCs are connected,
either wired or radioed, to that Linksys router; if not, you'll need to
explain your LAN.

I suggest getting everything to use DHCP, with a 192.168.1.x range (that
is the default for Linksys routers). Verify that all other PCs do use DHCP,
and then fix Basement: Start -> Settings -> ControlPanel -> Network Con's,
then RtClick on the Connection you use (likely LocalAreaCon), then click on
Properties, then on TCP/IP, then on Properties, then on General, then click
the ObtainIPAauto button (and on the ObtainDNSauto button); and then on
Advanced -> WINS, click on the EnableNetBIOS button. After you OK/Close
your way out of this menu tree, you may need to reboot to make it take
effect. To check Basement, do Start -> Run -> Cmd -> IPCONFIG/ALL and
check that the IPA=192.168.1.x and Mask=255.255.255.0.

Good luck.

 

[GGG]

Basement can't see the other PCs because they are in a difference subnet:
Basement is in the 192.168.15.x subnet, and the others are in the
192.168.1.x subnet. That must be fixed first.

Since the other PCs do not have consequtive IPAs, I assumed that they were
using static IPAs. If there are other things sucking up IPAs, that would
explain the holes in the IPA map. I also assume that all PCs are connected,
either wired or radioed, to that Linksys router; if not, you'll need to
explain your LAN.

I suggest getting everything to use DHCP, with a 192.168.1.x range (that
is the default for Linksys routers). Verify that all other PCs do use DHCP,
and then fix Basement: Start -> Settings -> ControlPanel -> Network Con's,
then RtClick on the Connection you use (likely LocalAreaCon), then click on
Properties, then on TCP/IP, then on Properties, then on General, then click
the ObtainIPAauto button (and on the ObtainDNSauto button); and then on
Advanced -> WINS, click on the EnableNetBIOS button. After you OK/Close
your way out of this menu tree, you may need to reboot to make it take
effect. To check Basement, do Start -> Run -> Cmd -> IPCONFIG/ALL and
check that the IPA=192.168.1.x and Mask=255.255.255.0.

Good luck.

Greetings, and back at the "Basement" LOL
I verified that everything is DHCP assigned, and all the other PC's do
use it. All laptops can now see each other-- I'm not sure if this
was an oversight on my part (Probably was, of course)
The Basement already obtains IPA/DNS automatically-- they all do. I
changed from Default setting to Enable NetBIOS. Restarted. same IP
address of 192.168.15.2, with the DNS of 192.168.15.1. Still can't
access the other computers.
Tried pinging the other machines.. Nothing. Same as before.
Tried manually entering in the IPA/DNS. Couldn't get internet,
couldn't ping to the Gateway.. Changed it back. Can access the
internet, ping the gateway, but still can't communicate with the other
3 laptops or the music box.
Is this a hopeless cause?

 

[Chuck]

Greetings, and back at the "Basement" LOL
I verified that everything is DHCP assigned, and all the other PC's do
use it. All laptops can now see each other-- I'm not sure if this
was an oversight on my part (Probably was, of course)
The Basement already obtains IPA/DNS automatically-- they all do. I
changed from Default setting to Enable NetBIOS. Restarted. same IP
address of 192.168.15.2, with the DNS of 192.168.15.1. Still can't
access the other computers.
Tried pinging the other machines.. Nothing. Same as before.
Tried manually entering in the IPA/DNS. Couldn't get internet,
couldn't ping to the Gateway.. Changed it back. Can access the
internet, ping the gateway, but still can't communicate with the other
3 laptops or the music box.
Is this a hopeless cause?

No, it's not hopeless. But it may take some work. Look at "browstat status"
and "ipconfig /all", from each computer, and diagnose the problem. Read this
article, and linked articles, and follow instructions precisely (download
browstat!):
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp

 

[Bob Willard]

Greetings, and back at the "Basement" LOL
I verified that everything is DHCP assigned, and all the other PC's do
use it. All laptops can now see each other-- I'm not sure if this
was an oversight on my part (Probably was, of course)
The Basement already obtains IPA/DNS automatically-- they all do. I
changed from Default setting to Enable NetBIOS. Restarted. same IP
address of 192.168.15.2, with the DNS of 192.168.15.1. Still can't
access the other computers.
Tried pinging the other machines.. Nothing. Same as before.
Tried manually entering in the IPA/DNS. Couldn't get internet,
couldn't ping to the Gateway.. Changed it back. Can access the
internet, ping the gateway, but still can't communicate with the other
3 laptops or the music box.
Is this a hopeless cause?

Something weird is going on, judging by the persistent IPA of 192.168.15.1;
your home router would not have assigned that. Let's try this:

1.Start -> Run -> CMD. When the CMD box appears, type IPCONFIG/ALL and
confirm that IPA=192.168.15.1
2.Type IPCONFIG/RELEASE, then type IPCONFIG/ALL and comfirm that, now,
IPA=0.0.0.0.
3.Type IPCONFIG/RENEW, then type IPCONFIG/ALL and comfirm that, hopefully,
IPA=192.168.1.something.

If the IPCONFIG/RELEASE does not result in IPA=0.0.0.0, then I suspect that
your Basement PC has some security stuff left on from some previous life
in a commercial environment.

If the IPCONFIG/RELEASE does result in IPA=0.0.0.0 but the IPCONFIG/RENEW
results in IPA=192.168.15.1, then that PC is not directly connected to the
Linksys router, and is getting its dynamic IPA from something else, and
you'll have to explain how it is connected so we can help you fix it.