Setting up a LAN

[avz10]

I have done this before, but got a new laptop from work and are not able to set up a new LAN.

I have a desktop and a laptop, both connecting directly to my ADSL modem. The modem then obviously connects to the phone line. The setup now allows good connection to the internet.

My problem is to get the two computers to connect. I use Windows XP on both.

If I open control panel, go to Network connections, it gives me 2 connections. A Local Area Connection and a 1394 connection. What I have done in the past was to right click on one of those, go to properties, go to Internet Protocol, then to properties, and then click on "use the following IP address" I would name one computer 10.0.0.1 and the other 10.0.0.2, in subnet mask in both computers, I would use 255.255.255.0. Then it would connect to each other. Now it does not and I loose my internet connection.

Any advice or useful links?

[aedipuss]

in order to share the one ip you can get from your isp with 2 computers you will need to add a router that connects to the modem and then gives out an ip to your computers. wired or wireless are available. there is a way to share without it but it involves having one computer always on in order for the other to connect through it to the net.

[rumplestiltskin]

Get one of the cheap WRT54G Linksys routers (about $50-60). You probably will have to configure the router's WAN connection to simulate what your computer's LAN connection needs to be (ie, IP, mask, router, DNS).

Alternatively, talk to your DSL provider and ask if they can sell you one of their "gateways" which includes an internal DSL modem. That way you have both the modem, router, and four-port switch (and wireless access point) already configured (or configurable using the CD that comes with the unit). I'm using the DSL gateway from SBC and it's been flawless. Plus it's easier to have it all in one should you decide to tweak settings.

[Nelson37]

Please describe any additional equipment. You say both PC are directly connected to modem. Modem's have only ONE Ethernet connection, Routers have more. Sounds like you have a Router, with a Modem built-in.

Go to a command prompt and type IPCONFIG /ALL. Ignore 1394, LAN or Wired Ethernet is what you want. Note the Gateway, IP address, and DNS servers.

Now, at the command prompt, type PING followed by one of the above numbers, do all three. "PING 63.75.167.11" should be the format, also type that exact number for a fourth test. You will either get a reply, or a failure message. Report results for each.

The PING test is THE definitive test for establishing connectivity.

Failure to ping PC's IP means TCP/IP problem.

Failure to ping Gateway means wrong address, bad cable, or bad port or router.

Failure to ping DNS indicates no actual connection to Internet. The fourth number I gave you is an Internet DNS server, some router point to themselves for DNS so you need an outside number.

Success at each step demonstrates functionality at that point. Isolate and Identify.

Since your first PC is working, setup should be basically correct. You can also swap cables and ports to test these against Known Good.

My guess would be that the new laptop has a firewall installed which is preventing the connection, probably McAfee or Panda.

[avz10]

Sorry that I took so long to reply. I am also leaving today, returning opn Tuesday and will also only connect everything when I return.

Firstly, I think I have a router and not a modem. From the front it has lights for Power, four ethernet connections (E1-4), Wireless, USB, DSL, and Internet.

Results from the tests:
Desktop:
Gateway: 10.0.0.2
IP address: 10.0.0.4
DNS servers: 10.0.0.2

All three gave me results when I pinged, as well as PING 63.75.167.11

Results from the laptop
Laptop:
Gateway: 10.0.0.2
IP address: 10.0.0.1
DNS servers: 10.0.0.2

All three also gave me results when I pinged, as well as 63.75.167.11

Will be leaving in 3 hours, so will only to go on after my return. My conclusion is that they do make contact
[/b]

[Bjs]

aedipuss is absolutely correct

You can share the internet connection and have both pc and laptop share with each other.

The best and quickest is to use the ICS in xp to automatically setup internet and file/printer sharing.

The pc, if it is the default pc connected to the device, is connected via usb.
The laptop will connect to the pc over ethernet (cross over cable)
The laptop basically tunnels via the pc via proxy method
Pc must always be on, if laptop is to access net (unless you disconnect the cable from pc to connect to laptop = not always convenient)

----

Of course wireless is one option, but only if laptop is wireless ready, or you would need to buy more hardware.

----

To get around the pc always needing to be on for laptop to access net, you need to purchase a router hub (not what is refered to as a fast ethernet swith hub).

Here you'll find different setups, with pro's and con's of each type, very simple

http://www.petri.co.il/adsl_home_network_config.htm

Dlink are dead simple, dsl-g604t (4 port lan + wireless) would get everything working.

----

Nelson37 on the other hand

There are indeed modem/routers that do support the use of both usb and ethernet concurrent connections

Belkin
Speedstream
And other's

[redwudz]

avz10, that does appear to be a modem/router.

Gateway: 10.0.0.2 is your router IP address

IP address: 10.0.0.4 is your desktop PCs address

IP address: 10.0.0.1 is your laptop PCs address

Those addresses are from NAT (Network Address Translation) That comes from a router.

I don't know if you can log onto it, but try typing 10.0.0.2 into a web browser as the address, hit enter, and see if a router page comes up. It may have a logon name and a password. That's where you would configure LAN addresses. But it looks like the router is set for DHCP to create them automatically, so you may not need to do anything with it.

Make sure both computers are in the same workgroup. If you go to 'Control Panel>System>Computer Name', you can change the workgroup name if needed there.

Then go to 'My Network Places' and you should see the router and any shared folders. Click on 'View Workgroup Computers' and you should see the other computer. Make a shared folder on each computer and if it's working, you should see the folders on both computers on the 'My Network Places' page.

If none of that works, then run the Networking Wizard on both computers.

I haven't done this in a while, so I think all that is correct.

[Nelson37]

You are online and connected to the Internet. The fourth ping test proves that, no question. The reply you got came thru the Internet. Done deal.

Ping each PC from the other, if this fails it almost has to be firewall.

How exactly are you determining that there is a problem? Have you tried multiple pages? Often, the default home page is no longer available. Go to www.google.com. They NEVER go down, also loads fast and is great search engine. Use e-mail prog to isolate IE, try an integrated update from anti-virus or anti-spyware to test another path.

Seek out and disable all firewall software. Test.

Also, do not manually enter the subnet mask, XP will figure it out for you automatically. Not a big issue but one place to eliminate possible error.

[avz10]

Thanks for all that

I'm on the road till Tuesday night, so I will only be able to try it on Wednesday.

Regards
Albie

[avz10]

Well, I'm back.

Before I go the laptop-eternet cable-desktop-USB cable-router route, I tried to see if I can't get it fixed with some of the advice.

If I PING from one computer to the other, there is no problem.

To start with the laptop PC:
If I go Start-My computer-Entire network-Microsoft Windows network-I get MS Home. If I open that, I see the Tower Desktop PC. If I open that, I see the shared folders on the tower desktop. If I click on those, I get the error message, which I took a screenshot of.




At the tower desktop, the following happens:
Go to My computer-Network places-then it just shows the shared folders on the tower desktop (previously it also showed the shared folders on the laptop)

[Nelson37]

I guess you mentioned it in the first post, but just to clarify - BOTH pc's can access the Internet with no problem? I think we've been chasing the wrong issue.

Specify OS for each unit.

When mentioning Desktop or Shared folders, specify WHICH PC you are referring to. When you are describing two or more PC's, each has a Desktop, therefore "Desktop" is insufficient to identify. "Laptop desktop" or "tower PC desktop" makes it clear.

Input User Name and Password on BOTH pc, this sounds like a USER RIGHTS issue rather than a Connectivity issue.
Login Name and Password on PC-1 must be identical to a valid Username and Password on PC-2, otherwise access will be denied. You don't actually have to login with the same name, you just have to be able to. If you are logged in as JohnSmith with password "jones" on PC-1, you MUST be able to login the same way on PC-2.

If I want a single key to open both the front door and the back door, the locks have to be set up to allow this.

Verify that BOTH pc's are in the MS Home workgroup.

[avz10]

Thanks for the reply. I'm again on the road, and I think you are right, it is not a connection issue, but a user rights issue, since the one (the laptop pc) is one from work.

I will be at home on Friday, and will start to post late Friday morning- I think it is morning in the States then? Or advise me when you can be available. It is now 8pm in South Africa.

Thanks
Albie