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…)

I am having constant trouble trying to connect to the internet through my D-Link DSL-302 ADSL modem. After clicking the DSL-302 desktop icon to open the modem configuration web interface, all that appears is an Internet Explorer window with the message ‘Page is unavailable’. This can only be fixed by unplugging the power from the modem, waiting a few minutes, and then plugging back in the power. Should this work, when I open Internet Explorer to access a website, the same ‘Page is unavailable’ message appears and can only be fixed by rebooting the computer! Alternatively, I may be conducting research using the web, followed by some word processing, and when I return to the web the ‘Page is unavailable’ message appears, even though it had been available only moments before. The problem used to happen infrequently, but now it happens almost every day. I have done full system scans using Norton Internet Security, Spybot, and Ad-Aware. The computer is running Windows XP. (more…)