Network set up wizard failure. how to manually?

IPT

OK, I had an IP address conflict and that is resolved now that I added a router (Linksys WRT54G). I am trying to neconnect my old hardwired network (which consists of only two computers) using the router (the wireless is for the future system). I can do everything on the main computer -connect to internet, and ping the other computer. I can also ping the main one from the second one once all the firewalls are down.

I ran the Windows XP network wizard, saved the "disc", ran it on the other computer. The problem is when I try the secondary computer to contact the first (which has shared files and the internet connection) I get an access denied window. Both have the same Group name. The second computer has all the shared folders listed from the main computer but maybe that is from the original pre-router setup.

No matter how many times I run the wizard I do not see the other (2nd) computer listed on the "my network places" on the main computer. All I see is the the router and an MSN link (if I click on the router it sends me to the router setting on Linksys) How can I fix this and add the second computer?

Thanks - hopefully you'll get back to me before I pull all of my hair out!

IPT

Also, I tried the "add a network place wizard". The drop down menu lists the folder I want to add "\\LOUIS\SharedDocs". When I tried that, or the IP address of the computer it says "folders not valid". I double checked on the second computer the names as above and that is how they are.

Eeeh Gads man!!

mtrox

Yea I remember your problem with the IP conflicts. Now you've got a real router so you should be down the road.

Try this IPT. It's a page written by a Microsoft MVP. It looks a little intimidating but if you go through his page its a great network troubleshooter.

http://www.michna.com/kb/wxnet.htm

I am curious about one thing you said,

IPT wrote:

The problem is when I try the secondary computer to contact the first (which has shared files and the internet connection) I get an access denied window.

When you say the first computer has "the internet connection", it sounds like you are under the impression the internet is coming from the other computer? If you have a router, the internet signal goes to the router, and the router gives out IP addresses that will use your public IP address. If you are thinking you still need Internet Connection Sharing, you're wrong. And if you ran the Network Wizard and chose ICS, that would be a big problem.

Also, I believe you were using ICS when you had the conflict. That would mean the first computer has two Network Adapters. You need to have one of the LAN ports of the router plugged into the network adapter the internet used to be plugged into. Nothing should be plugged into the network adapter that used to send the internet to your other computer. Your other computer should now be plugged into another LAN port on the router.

IPT

MTROX - (you have been of great help on these issues thanks!)
I think you are onto something here. With the router and firewalls off I can communicate on the two computer network. I can see the router from the second computer. After much tech support I still can't get on the internet with the second computer. They said it is something in the way it is setup. I am not sure how to problem solve this. From the second computer I could ping the Router but not my Internet provider. For some reason it won't send anything past the router. What can I do or check. I re-ran the setup wizard and I did in fact last time use the sharred connection option. I am not exactly sure what to choose now with the Router. Any ideas or other suggestions?

IPT

I just re-read my post. I meant with the Router on and firewalls off.

mtrox

So IPT, you can get the internet from computer one but not from computer 2? And you can ping the router from computer 2?

Let's get basic IPT. Go to each computer, go to Start> Run>... and type "cmd", then enter. You'll get a command prompt window. Type "ipconfig /all" on each computer. Post the results back here. I want to see the IP address (probably 192.168.1.10x), the gateway address, and the DNS addresses from each computer.

And again, you have a cable running from computer 1 to a LAN port on the Linksys, and a cable from computer 2 to a LAN port on the Linksys?

IPT

Thanks for your time - yes, both computers LANs go into ports on the Linksys. This is nuts but I just got an IP conflict error on comp 2. Anyway, here we go.

Comp 1 (can get online)
NIC
IP 192.168.1.104
Mask 255.255.255.0
Gateway 192.168.1.1
DHCP 192.168.1.1
DNS servers 209.193.4.7
209.193.4.8

Comp 2 (cant get online)
XP
node type - mixed
IP routing enabled - no (a problem?)
WINS Proxy enabled - no

NIC
IP 192.168.1.100
Mask 255.255.255.0
the gateway, DHCP servers, and DNS servers are all at 192.168.1.1

mtrox

Looks like you don't have DNS on the second computer. It's looking at your router instead of your ISP's DNS server. If you bring up a browser and type yahoo.com in the address bar you get nowhere? Now type Yahoo's IP address in there, 216.109.118.66, then hit enter. Do you get to Yahoo with just the IP address?

And if I'm right, that you get to Yahoo by their IP address, then go into the TCP/IP of computer 2's NIC card and make sure DNS is set to automatic. Then reboot and try to get on the 'net again.

IPT

OK, I don't know exactly why it happened but I am able to get on via either computer. There were two hardlines into the router besides comp 1 and 2. I removed them to see exactly which was going to comp 2 and then so I could swap comp1 and 2's ports (I was desperate). I then got your reply and went to load Yahoo (without the IP address) - and up it came!! I wonder if it had to do with me re-running the Wizard and changing the internet Sharing part you caught? Anyway, thanks a bunch!

Tisk on Linksys tech support who after 2 + hours couldn't figure it out! As a matter of fact they were just having me go crazy with the settings on the router, DSL, and comp 1. I think it was all about the settings on comp 2. Comp 1 was online and as the DSL said the router was working fine giving out IP addresses.

Anyway, MTROX, thanks again. You have saved me countless hours of sleepless nights ! Until the next fiasco...........

mtrox

IPT wrote:

There were two hardlines into the router besides comp 1 and 2. I removed them to see exactly which was going to comp 2 and then so I could swap comp1 and 2's ports (I was desperate).

Hmmmmmm....not sure what those two "hardlines" were but have the strong feeling that was your issue. I've even seen a loop...where one end of a CAT5 goes in one LAN port and the other end goes right back into another. Or.....was one of those lines....well nevermind. Ya got it going. Hope it runs for a long time now.

IPT

Nah, I think it was the way I ran the wizard (for the sharing instead of how it should have been for the router). The other two lines were intended for the computer next to me and one in another room. Neither of them are on or even hooked into the network on thier end. The leads just went from the Router to the Junction box for if and when I re-hook them up. It'd be an interesting experiment to re plug those wires and see what happens.......but I think I'll leave well enough alone.

mtrox

Plug 'em in IPT. You can always unplug 'em. Connecting to a router shouldn't be that complicated. You don't even need the networking wizard. If TCP/IP is set to automatically get an IP address, you should be good.