Lan setup - windows 7 and Xp - how do i do it?

valve90210

valve90210

valve90210

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17 Jan 2006
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Hi All

My brain is hurting! I'm trying to hook up my old pc (XP) and my new pc (Windows 7). They are both hooked up to my router (speedtouch 585) and both can access the internet happily.

However, I just can't get either of them to see each other.

Both are on the same work group (Home_Network) and I've read loads of sites with various settings for windows 7 settings, making sure file sharing is on, as is network discovery, publich folder sharing is on. And password protected is turned off.

BUt they just can't see each other and I'm completely stumped, it's probably really simple but I'm stuck.

Any help very much appreciated.
 
Can they ping each other? To get the IP of each computer run an 'ipconfig' from CMD and note down the IPv4 address. To ping it, run 'ping [IP Address of other computer]' from CMD.
 
fluff said:
What happens when you navigate to \\machine_name ?
Click to expand...

Following on from this, if it doesn't resolve the machines name, if you know the other machines internal NAT IP(192.168.x.x usually) open up Run from start(or type it into the Start menu in 7) type \\IPADDRESSOFMACHINE

I've had a problem before where the machine wouldn't show in workgroup under network nor could I find it by name but would get to it by IP
 
Tingle said:
Can they ping each other? To get the IP of each computer run an 'ipconfig' from CMD and note down the IPv4 address. To ping it, run 'ping [IP Address of other computer]' from CMD.
Click to expand...

Well, I can ping the xp machine from the windows 7 one.

However when I look at the ipconfig of the windows 7 machine, the IPv4 ip address is 62.56.55.10 and the subnet mask is 255.0.0.0...which I'm guessing isn't right...

Guess i need to set ip manually?

fluff said:
What happens when you navigate to \\machine_name ?
Click to expand...

Nothing...

geon106 said:
Following on from this, if it doesn't resolve the machines name, if you know the other machines internal NAT IP(192.168.x.x usually) open up Run from start(or type it into the Start menu in 7) type \\IPADDRESSOFMACHINE

I've had a problem before where the machine wouldn't show in workgroup under network nor could I find it by name but would get to it by IP
Click to expand...

Doing this, the windows 7 machine can read the xp machine...
 
valve90210 said:
Well, I can ping the xp machine from the windows 7 one.

However when I look at the ipconfig of the windows 7 machine, the IPv4 ip address is 62.56.55.10 and the subnet mask is 255.0.0.0...which I'm guessing isn't right...

Guess i need to set ip manually?



Nothing...



Doing this, the windows 7 machine can read the xp machine...
Click to expand...

Well thats a sort of good, I can't remember how to resolve it though? May have to Google it. Sorry i'll have a look for you to see if can find a resolution

Give both machines static addresses.

I.e 192.168.1.2 and 192.168.1.3(depending on your internal IP)
Subnet should be 255.255.255.0(i think if i recall) that may help
 
valve90210 said:
Yeah I figured as much...lol

Guess it's best to manually set ip on the pc itself right?
Click to expand...

Yeah, set IP manually, set gateway to same as router.

Your computers network adapters should restart automatically and connect but may be worth a restart of each computer.

Then retry.

Hope that works for you
 
Think the dchp on my router is a bit odd cos it's set stupid ip addresses like this before...

Just finishing a download then will try manual ip...fingers crossed it'll work.
 
Right...set my ipv4 address to 192.168.20 and subnet. Mask 255.255.255.0 and now i can see the computers from each other but now i have no internet connection on the windows 7 pc and it can't even log into the router...

Any thoughts?
 
What's your setup like? I'm assuming it's like this:

Code: 
Modem --> Router --> XP PC
                   --> Windows 7 PC

Sorry for the bad diagram. Just in case it's not clear, it's assuming the Windows 7 PC and XP PC are directly connected to the router.
 
Last edited:
Hmm, what happens when you ping 8.8.8.8? Have you tried right clicking the 'network' icon in the task bar, and clicking 'Troubleshoot Problems'?
 
pinged 8.8.8.8 all 4 packets sent and received, average ping 26ms

tried trouble shooting connection and it came up saying windows can not connect with device or resource (primary dns server) and couldn't auto fix it
 
Hmm, well that would suggest that your router's DNS isn't working with your Windows 7 PC for some very strange reason... Set your preferred DNS server to 8.8.8.8 (Google's DNS server), and set your alternative DNS server to your router's IP.

Before trying that, maybe it's worth rebooting your router.
 
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seem to remember having a similar problem with my laptop in that when set to manual ip it wouldn't connect to internet and when dchp it wouldn't connect to network...

tried 8.8.8.8 as dns and now it's all working...

not sure my router is the happiest in the world...is it a problem if I leave dns as 8.8.8.8?
 
valve90210 said:
seem to remember having a similar problem with my laptop in that when set to manual ip it wouldn't connect to internet and when dchp it wouldn't connect to network...

tried 8.8.8.8 as dns and now it's all working...

not sure my router is the happiest in the world...is it a problem if I leave dns as 8.8.8.8?
Click to expand...

No it's not a problem, many people use Google's DNS servers.
 
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