I have two computers (a laptop and a desktop) connected to a network using an Ethernet 10/100 Mbits switch. An ADSL router is also connected to the switch, providing an internet connection for the networked computers. Both computers can successfully connect to the internet, but neither computer is able to see the other computer. Therefore, I am unable to share files or printers between the computers. Running the Windows Network Connection Wizard does not help fix the problem, and if I attempt to access the workgroup the following message appears: ‘Mshome is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions. A list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available’. The laptop is running Windows XP Professional and the desktop is running Windows XP Home Edition. Both computers are running Norton Internet Security 2006. How can I get the computers to talk to each other? (more…)

I am trying to configure a network between two computers, one running Windows XP Home Edition and another running Windows XP Professional. Both computers access the internet without problem through an 8 port router connected to a D-Link 302G ADSL modem. However, I cannot establish a connection between the two computers. Both computers are on the same workgroup, and disabling the firewalls does not make any difference. The network settings are configured to automatically obtain an IP address. How can I make the network work, so that I may use file and print sharing? Also, is it safe to use file and print sharing while on the internet? (more…)

To establish a network (enabling the sharing of files, printers, and the internet) I connected a Belkin Wireless G router to my desktop computer (Windows XP Home Edition) using an Ethernet cable. All appeared to be working correctly, as the desktop computer could access the internet. Then I installed a Belkin 54g wireless card in my laptop (Windows XP Professional with SP2) and while the card appeared to be communicating with the router (indicated by very good to excellent signal strength) Internet Explorer would not load any web pages. I confirmed the correct WEP key is configured and, on the advice of Belkin technical support, disabled the Windows Firewall on both the desktop and laptop computers. Interestingly, the laptop could not successfully ping the router (192.168.2.1), yet the router configuration page could be loaded through IE on the laptop! Meanwhile, another laptop (with a built-in wireless card) has no problems connecting to the wireless router, and using the internet and email. From this experience I am pretty sure the problem is not the router, but is instead the laptop. To test this theory, I took my laptop to a friend who also has a wireless network. The wireless card found his network, but could also not access any websites through Internet Explorer. (more…)

Originally my Windows XP Professional computer was directly connected to the ADSL modem, and received an IP address in the range 10.1.1.x. Now, the computer is connected to a SMC 7004ABR NAT router (which sits between the computer and ADSL modem). However, the Windows XP computer will not accept the new IP address (in the range 192.168.2.x) offered by the SMC 7004ABR. The SMC 7004ABR is configured as a DHCP server and I have disabled the DHCP server on the ADSL modem. A Windows 98 SE computer is also connected to the SMC 7004ABR and has been configured with a permanent IP address, which works with no problems. How can I assign a permanent IP address to the Windows XP computer? I have been unable to find the necessary settings. (more…)

Recently I discovered my kids were logging onto the internet through a wireless connection. The problem is, we don’t have one! Presumably one of our neighbours does. Recognising the ethical and security issues, we have put a stop to this behaviour. However, we are going to upgrade to a broadband connection and have planned to get a wireless modem. How can I be sure we are using our network, and not a neighbours? Also, how can I secure the wireless connection to prevent others from accessing our network? (more…)