wireless network set up

[Paul V]

I have a Linksys wireless ADSL Gateway and two PCs, one using a USB hub and the other a wireless card, both computers log onto the router and internet fine, but I'd like to be able to share files and share the printer, is it possible? one PC is running XP home and the other is on 2000NT, I've tried to use the set up wizard in XP but can't use the file it generates in NT.

Any ideas?

Cheers

Paul

[Plotloss]

So whats connected where?

Presumably the Linksys is doing the DSL connection and then the machines are connected to the hub one by a USB wireless adaptor and one by a card or in built device.

Just not sure what you mean by USB Hub

Its definately possible, the mechanics of it though depend on whats connected where and how.

[Paul V]

Yeah the ADSL is connected to the router, then both machines are using wireless to connect to it, one internal wireless card and the other a usb adaptor. The USB adaptor is on the 2000 NT machine and the printer is also connected to that machine. I can ping the XP machine so there is some connection there.

[Raify]

The basics of it should be handled by the "set up home network wizard" in: control panel > Network connections.

You need to give both pc's names (in XP): Control Panel > System > Computer name. Then you assign both pc's to a workgroup. You will also need to enable sharing on each pc's hard drive. Once the sharing is enabled, you should be able to map the networked drive.

Best bet is the wizard. Some more help with that here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/30852

[Plotloss]

Yeah start with the wizard, turn all software firewalls off though as this is often a sticking point.

[aldi]

Is it a USB wireless adapter or just the direct USB connection to the router?

[Paul V]

Thanks for you help guys, I added the computers to the same work group, then I could both computers in that group from the one running XP but nothing from the 2000 NT, also couldn't access the NT one it even though I could see it, I then did something which prompted me for a password, I created a new user account on the NT machine and they both now working, added the printer and all working well.

Plotloss hows life been treating you? still got your old mini?

Next question is can I link my MDA Vario to my pc over the wireless to sync between the pc and handset or still have to use the usb cable? The vario has picked up the router ok.

[Plotloss]

Yes well mate and yes still got it!

Hows things with you?

You can connect the vario to the router to surf using the wireless connection rather than the mobile network but I dont think you can ActiveSync over a wireless LAN.

[vipers]

Any advise on this one chaps. My old P.C. sits in my sons bedroom, connected to broadband via a BT Voyager modem, to phone socket with filter in. Works fine.

Not wishing to spend all night upstairs, I got myself a laptop, and a Linksys wireless router, and with it plugged in to the phone socket downstairs, I can use my laptop wirelessly in the front room.

However neither will connect unless the other is un-plugged. Even with the PC upstairs turned off, the laptop cant access the net via the Linksys router, and conversly, if the Linksys is turned on, the PC upstairs wont connect to broadband?

To use the PC, I have to turn the wireless router off, to use the wireless router, I have to unplug the modem upstairs from the phone socket?

[Paul V]

Ok for some reason I've come back to the machines this morning and they won't connect together, I can't figure out what I did to get it to prompt me for a password to the other machine, is there a way I can set it up not to need the password entered everytime? also any ideas what I did to get it to ask for the password?

Plotloss glad to hear you are well, and still have the mini, hows it running, things are ok with myself mate.

[Paul V]

They seem to be working now again, I configured the firewall which I had turned off last night, also changed the tcp/ip settings on the XP machine and all seems well.

Vipers, so both your sons machine and your router are dialing out? that might be your problem I guess, does the linksys router have ethernet connections? If it does you might find it better move the router upstairs and connect it to your old PC using the ethernet or you could just get a wireless card or USB adaptor for your old machine and connect both machines through the linksys router, thats the setup I have at the moment.

[zcacogp]

... I have a similar set-up, and find that there are often problems if one or other machine has "Hibernated" or "Stood-by". This causes the connection to break, and it is often not properly re-connected when it comes back up.

If you have problems, try re-starting both machines. May cure it.


Oli.

[Plotloss]

Oli are you using XP Home??

If so it doesnt perpetuate network credentials for remote machines like Pro.

[phrich]

vipers said:

To use the PC, I have to turn the wireless router off, to use the wireless router, I have to unplug the modem upstairs from the phone socket?

Can you plug the wireless router in to your Sons outlet and connect wirelessly thru the floor?

[vipers]

phrich said:

vipers said: To use the PC, I have to turn the wireless router off, to use the wireless router, I have to unplug the modem upstairs from the phone socket? Can you plug the wireless router in to your Sons outlet and connect wirelessly thru the floor?

Well I could put a wireless card in the PC and make both of them wireless, problem is with the wireless router in the hallway, and me in the front room on the laptop, I sometimes have to re-boot coz I loose the signal, and in the past have had horendous problems with the laptop even recognising the router, with the router upstairs, this may be a bigger problem.

As I am away from home a lot, my sons PC is my point of contact with the trouble and strife, so I dont really want to mess with it. Basically there must be a fundamental reason why the current set up doesnt work!

Thanks for the suggestion anyway.