Home network

I had a previous post under file sharing but I realized my computers are not on the network. I have a desktop running xp connected hardwired to a router.. I have a laptop running vista basic wireless to the router. Before I replaced my router I had a home network set up and was able to share files and a printer between the computers. I replaced the router and have internet access but I cannot get the computers to network. I ran network setup numerous times but I can't get it to work. Any Ideas. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

What kind of router did you have and what kind did you replace it with? Are you using any firewall? Can both pc's get online?

I made a mistake several years ago when I purchased a new router. I had been using a firewall and the new router had a different IP scheme. I didn't notice and could not share files, etc. Ended up taking the router back to get the same brand I had been using and THEN noticed my mistake. Have never made that one again, I tell you. Oh yeah, the firewall was set to only allow the old IP range to communicate. DoH!

Brian

p.s. try disabling all firewalls, both 3rd party and MS then see if you can ping either PC from the other.

 

I have been working on this for a while and I think the problem is with running the network wizard on XP.

When I run the wizard I get to the part tha t said:


- “you need to run network wizard on each of the
computers on your network”. “What do you want to do?” The choices were.
- create a network step-up disk
- just finish. I don’t need to run the wizard on the other computer.


I actually did both since I ran the wizard several times. When I use the setup disk I get an error on my vista laptop. I found out that you cannot use the set up disk on vista pc’s. When I chose just finish without using the setup disk the next screen said the network was successfully set up??????

Any Ideas!!!

 

Make sure the computers both have the same work group name. Take a look at the book with the router for suggestions in its use.

 

the workgroup names are correct. I'm having problems with running network wizard. it does't seem to complete the set up.

 

as I may have said I am not good with computers. What i'm wondering is why has replacing my router caused my pre-existing home network not to work? the computers are seeing the router but not each other.

 

Still thinking>>>When I ran the setup wizard in vista it said " windows detected network hardware but could not configure it automatically"

I the click on configure manually and I go to my Linksys router webpage where i can configure my router. The wizard said to fill out the network name (SSID) and security type.

These fields are already set. So I'm stumped.

 

Is your network wireless?

If your network IS wirelss did you set up the router with a site ID and encryption key?


If not, then you should for multiple reasons. First being it stops unwanted computers from being able to access your network, and garuntees that both of your computers are on the same network.


If your network is wirelss (or supposed to be) and you never ran the wireless setup on the Router then the chance is that your wireless computer is not access your home network and possibly one of your neighbors.




You still have not listed what routers you were and are using, and haven't clarified if it is wireless or not.

 

My network is wireless. My desktop is wired to the router and my laptop is wireless. I do have a site id (SSID) and the encription key was automatically set up when I installed the router. (just a reminder. I know little about computers)
My laptop is connecting to my network. The internet works fine. I'ts just when I run the network set up wizards on either computer they don't seem to complete the configuration.



Here is more detailed info:

Computers:
Desktop pc running xp home media edition sp2. Hardwired to the router
Laptop running vista basic. Wireless to the router

Network:
Verizon fios high speed
No modem
Linksys wireless router WRT54G


After installing a new router I am unable to connect the computers to a home network in order to file and printer share..

I am able to connect to the internet from both computers.

What I tried:

- I ran “Set up home or small network wizard” on my desktop.
- I checked this computer connects thru a residential gateway.
- I verified my computer name.
- I verified my workgroup name.
- I turned on file and printer sharing
- I verified the settings.
- Then I came to a screen that said “you need to run network wizard on
each of the computers on your network”.
“What do you want to do?”

The choices were.
- create a network step-up disk
- just finish. I don’t need to run the wizard on the other computer.


I actually did both since I ran the wizard several times. When I use the setup disk I get an error on my vista laptop. I found out that you cannot use the set up disk on vista pc’s. When I chose just finish without using the setup disk the next screen said the network was successfully set up??????

When I ran the setup wizard in vista it said " windows detected network hardware but could not configure it automatically"

I then click on configure manually and I go to my Linksys router webpage where i can configure my router. The wizard said to fill out the network name (SSID) and security type.

These fields are already set. So I'm stumped.

 

Turn off the software firewalls on both computers. You do this by:


Goto Control Panel
Goto Windows Firewall
Vista: Change Settings and turn off
XP: Turn off


now goto start\RUN and type cmd

A black window will open up. type

ipconfig /all

press enter

A string of numbers will come up, pay attention to the one labled "IP Address:xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx"

Take that number to your vista machine.

Goto Start\Run

Type cmd

Press enter

A black window will open up

type ping xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

where the x's are the numbers you got from the ipconfig. With your windows firewall down you should be able to ping each of the computers IP address's to make sure they are talking to eachother. If it does not successfully ping the computer then your computers are either

1: Not on the same network
2: Not on the same subnet

If either of those are the case find someone local to you who knows networking that can come in and take a look.


If it does successfully ping move on to the next step.


Now, if you are on the same network and under the same workgroup do the next step.

On your computers, each of them. Create a folder called deposit or shared on the C:\ drive. Right click the folder and goto sharing. Share the folder.


You will need to use the same username to log in to both computers, typically the default is Administrator but it is important to use the same username.
You will use the username to say who can access the folder in the setup. This is easier on XP than Vista but you will have to work with it.

Once you have a shared folder and the usernames are the same goto your vista machine and right click on my computer. Select 'map network drive'

Type this into the bar and select whatever drive you want.

\\COMPUTERNAMEOFXPMACHINE\"foldername you shared"



if your computers can ping eachother you should be able to do this.

 

also if you are on the same network

xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

The first 3 groups of numbers should be identicle on both computers.

 

I won't be able to get to this for a while. Working all weekend. No days off. But I did have a question. Even if this works I am confused. When I originally set up the network- when I went to a file and clicked the share tab I had a chioce to 1. share the folder with users on this computer. 2. share the folder with network users. (Similar to the graphic below.) The only share option I have now is to share with other users on this computer. Why am I not seeing this as a file share option?? I'll let you know how I make out with your suggestion ASAP. Thanks

 

This seems to be working. Mapping the network drive on all users folders is a bit of work and I am running into some problems but it's working. Not as easy as when I first set it up. Thanks for all your help\

Any ideas how I can get my printer sharing working???

 

One common thing for networking to happen is that all your devices (even a networked printer) must have a unique name.

example: desktop computer name --> office
kids computer name --> kids_computer
laptop computer name --> laptop1
printer name --> myprinter

All of these examples must have the same workgroup name

example: workgroup --> myplace or the default [workgroup]

Microsoft XP and Vista default to having the software firewall enabled. Disable that as your router itself is a firewall.

If you click on My Network Places (Microsoft XP), view workgroup computers, and still see nothing, that doesn't mean that you are not networked together. Should that happen then type in the address bar the following:

(From the example above)

\\office\c$

That is the hidden share of the C-Drive on the Office computer.

To access the printer software, enter in it's IP

example: printer name --> myprinter
printer ip --> 192.168.1.102

So, enter in a browser, http://192.168.1.102/
From there you will be able to get to your printer software to set up the name, workgroup, etc.

Now if that is all done and working, then add a new printer to each computer. Select Network instead of "local printer attached to this computer", then browse or connect according to the wizzard.

If the printer is connected to a computer not the network, then you can share the printer. That computer will have to be on in order for your other computer to print.

Hope this helps you out.

 

Thanks. I did't know a printer had an ip address. How do I find it?

 

The easiest way is to have the printer print out it's "settings" page. Usually you hit one of the buttons on the control panel to do this. All depends on what printer it is though.

 

Got the printer to work. I renamed it and used vista wizard to locate it using the path \\computer\printer.

I want to thank everyone for their help!!!! I'm good to go.