Networking is confusing....

[xirokx]

Hi,

For the last week I have been trying to setup a network but its been nothing but a headache....

Basically I have 2 desktops and 1 laptop....

It appears as if someone has tried to set it up before and its just one pile of chaos atm....

PC 1 (the pc that connects to my cable isp) cannot see pc2 or the laptop.....

PC2 can share pc1 files and print but cannot see the laptop....

Laptop connects to the network but cannot see pc1 or pc2, will not share files or connect to the internet...

I really want to delete everything and start again but I have important files on both pc1 and pc2 so cannot format...grrr......

Is there a way I can delete the network places???

I am using a netgear wireless router which is wired to both desktops and is connected to the laptop which has a belkin usb network adaptor...

Basically setup goes like this:

cable modem ---rj45----netgear router----rj45----pc1

pc2---rj45----netgear router

laptop----usb adaptor---connects wirelessly to network.....

Printer plugs directly into pc1 via USB cable....

I really think its best to start again is it possible without formatting the pcs?

Can anyone guess why I am having these troubles?

I have run network wizard on each pc including the laptop....

I am a total n00b at configuring the network infact I dont have a clue......

Is there a dummies guide anyone has or can recommend? I cannot express how grateful I would be if I can figure this out....

All ideas would be appreciated....

More importantly has anyone experienced similar issues?

Thanks in advance...

 

[xirokx]

so if I delete the network places I wont lose any files or anything?

So for desktop 1 which connects directly to the internet I delete network places then reboot, then run network wizard?

for desktop 2 the same and for the laptop run "wireless network wizard"

OK....

When I come to the "do you want to make a setup disk to install on each computer" choose no BUT run network wizard on desktop 2 and then run wireless network wizard on the laptop?

Use the same workgroup name for each pc? including the laptop?

hmmm

Wish I felt more confident.....This has stressed me out BIG TIME and continues to do so.....

do you know of any dummy guides? that can get me thru this? step by step?

I mean i just dont understand how i can access the network on the laptop but cannot use the internet or share files....

 

[xirokx]

yes I was pointed pointed to practicallynetworked but after several hours of reading it did not really help me...

Last night I was watching a tutorial and apparently it says DHCP **** be disabled if you are running ICS...So may try that today...

Also it advised to check the firewall exceptions tab cuz windows xp may be blocking it etc....

There were several things it raised which practicallynetworked did not....

I mean network wizard has been run on each computer however I am unsure if it was all for the same workgroup or not....

Its been a steep learning curve but now is seriously beginning to be a headache.....

I mean one would think once the physical settings are correct, you would have to run network wizard on each pc, use the same workgroup for each pc and voila off you go....However its just not the case....

 

[xirokx]

You don't need to run the wizard at all.

so how does each computer know what to share?

At the moment there are several network places which consist of files that are shared on the network...

 

[xirokx]

so lets say I wanted to share an entire drive....

On each pc I right click on the drive, select sharing, then in the "network sharing and security" section tick the share this folder on the network and add a network name?

Therefore I will not have to bother add a network place to each pc?

Please clarify

Thank you so much for your help so far.....

 

[xirokx]

As tolien has already said, you can connect directly to another PC and view its shares

I have had a networking nightmare....so before I delete my network places I just wanted to be 10000% sure...

I understood what he was saying buy if u take a look at my response I was trying to make it idiot proof so to speak...

One thing I dont get is if I delete my network places.......how can i access pc2 files from pc1? I understand what tolien said so was seeking clarification however know I would like to find out how I access those shared drives?

Please help

Thank you

 

[xirokx]

so you are saying instead of using my network places I should:

Use Start, run, \\[Machine's name or IP

hmmm thats kinda long everytime I want to access a drive from a different computer isnt it?

On each pc I right click on the drive, select sharing, then in the "network sharing and security" section tick the share this folder on the network and add a network name?

Please clarify yes or no?

If yes will I have to

Use Start, run, \\[Machine's name or IP

each time I want to access the hdd on computer 2 from computer 1?

 

[xirokx]

so I wouldnt have to do this everything I wanted to access pc2 hdd from pc1?

Use Start, run, \\[Machine's name or IP

Instead I could create a shortcut....

How ?

Please enlighten me

 

[xirokx]

hmmmmm

may just give it a go...wish i understood it properly...its not that i dont i guess sometimes responses can be ever so confusing

thanks for your help