Yet another computer problem

[Daddles]

Seeing you blokes can fix every computer problem known to man, and most of those known to Micro$oft, I thought I'd stuff up your perfect record.

I've got two computers networked. Both run versions of Micro$oft's supervirus (that's for Midge and his plastic raincoats ). I also have broadband.

Now, the beast that the broadband is connected to runs Windows Xtra Problems, complete with all the latest updates and appears to work perfectly. The other brute runs Windows ME, also with all the updates and also apparently properly.
The network is via ethernet cable.

They were networked happily and I had Internet Connection Sharing working a treat under dial up. As soon as I went to Broadband, this ended. :mad: Both network and ICS. After a lot of fiddling around, swearing, rebooting and generally upsetting the dog, ICS suddenly started working :eek: . Dunno why. :confused: But for a month or more, I haven't been able to get the network to work but ICS works beautifully.

The lad likes this coz the second machine is his.

Well, at cricket today, a well meaning parent who knows about these things, made some suggestions. Foolishly, I tried them. Immediately, I'd lost ICS as well as the network. :mad:

After a lot of frigging around, I've got the computers networked - networked better than they ever have been :confused:
BUT, I can't get ICS to work :mad:

So, can anyone tell me how to get the network working PLUS Internet Connection Sharing. **insert begging smilie**

That's an XP machine on broadband, connected to an ME machine via ethernet.

Cheers
Richard
and I've run out of booze to boot :mad:

[Daddles]

I forgot to mention - I'm running Norton's Internet Security. Turning it off doesn't seem to affect the problem. I've tried configuring that but, as you'd expect, it hasn't solved the problem.

Cheers
Richard

[Groggy]

A good reference is www.ozcableguy.com, he has a rather good section on ICS, hope it helps.

[Gumby]

To add to your problems, I'm here to tell that Windowws ME is just about the worst operating system Microsoft ever made. That could be part of your problem.

I would also recommend setting manual IP addresses. As in 192.168.0.1 for the server and 192.168.0.2 for the other machine. The subnet mask should be 255.255.255.0
Having them set automatically can cause problems, even on XP. I reconfigured all our work computerts that way and it cut out a lot of connection problems.

[vsquizz]

What Gumby said about setting your IP address and not letting it be automatic.Your default gateway and preferred DNS should be 192.168.1.1 (which is your ADSL router modem) and your other machines (IP address) will be same as above but .2 & .3

Subnet mask should be 255.255.255.0

This may not fix your networking problems but it will help. Also re-boot your broadband modem once a day and your ethernet switch once a week. (leave turned off for more at least five minutes)

Cheers

[Daddles]

Sorry guys, I've been assigning IP addresses. That makes the network run nicely but it's not helping the ICS. Interstingly, it's probably hindering the ICS (it did on 98).

As for ME. Yes, I know people ***** about it but I've been using it since before it was released (don't ask) and while it's wobbly at times, it's a big improvement over 98 in many other ways. I've also had networking and ICS working on ME (that very computer as it happens) before, while connected to an XP machine as it happens.

The fly in the ointment appears to be Broadband. It stuffs things up good an proper and networking XP is a nightmare compared to the earlier systems (but perhaps that is only when talking to earlier systems).

The really sad part is, when I went onto broadband, I had a choice of paying a bit more for a multi-port modem, but as I had ICS working at that time (with dial up), thought I didn't need it. Little did I know.

Ah well. If it all worked properly and easily, where would we get our ulcers?

I'm off to check out the cable guy site now.

Cheers
Richard

[Gumby]

I though ICS was not necessary on XP - not sure about ME though. I used to know lots about this stuff when I had W98 but XP has made us all a bit lazy and eventually, forgetful. I have the Bigpond cable modem set up on one XP. The ethernet card it is plugged in to has an IP set by DHCP and that's it. Then I have a USB network adaptro attached, which the other computer pkugs in to. This one is set manually as 192.168.0.1 and 255.255.255.0 as I mentioned before. There must also be file and print sharing installed on these as well. The network connection on the card connected to the modem is listed as shared under the network connections box.

The second computer has 192.168,0,2 as it's IP, same subnet mask and has the DNS and gateway set at 192.168.0.1, the address of the usb card in the server. That's it. I can't see why it won't work if it's set up that way.

[Daddles]

The second computer has 192.168,0,2 as it's IP, same subnet mask and has the DNS and gateway set at 192.168.0.1, the address of the usb card in the server. That's it. I can't see why it won't work if it's set up that way.

Setting the subnet mask, etc is what I haven't done. Interestingly, the Ozcableguy bloke suggests the same things. As soon as the lad finishes destroying the armies of the evil lord zerg or whoever it is he's battling, I'll have another go at it. Or perhaps I'll wait about half a bottle of red wine - can't face this stuff except through a comforting haze.

I used to love working on computers. I think it took about ten years for the gloss to wear off.


Cheers
Richard

[Daddles]

Well, I got it all working, and what a drama it's been. :mad: I've been at it all afternoon and one should not be this stressed at tea time on a sunday night.

The solution?
Well, I discovered after one half hour period of frustration, that the network works much better if both computers are TURNED ON! :mad: :mad:

But I think this is what finally got it all working. :confused:

Set a static IP on the main computer.
Under the broadband connection, allow it to choose it's own IP but to specify an alternative setting which has a static IP (the same as the one for the ethernet).
Delete all networking stuff from the second computer, then reboot and let it install whatever hardware it wants to.
Run the networking wizard on the main computer and create a network disc (being very careful what you specify).
Use that disc to setup the network on the second computer.
Then, on the second computer, specify a static IP address and a gateway (the IP of the main computer).
This got both the network and ICS working with the firewall turned off. Then it was just a matter of getting the firewall configured - norton, not the XP firewall which is turned off. Norton has a wizard to do this configuration but it didn't believe itself the first time and I had to do it again :mad: .

Mind you, I could have sworn I'd done all that a few times today :mad: . I think the secret was to remove all the networking from the second computer and to start again.

But it's all working now and my lad is under orders to surf until he drops ... because the ruddy thing may not be working tomorrow (see the faith I have in Micro$oft).

Things that didn't help include swearing, throwing hands up in disgust, stalking around the house muttering, oh, and that incident I'm not going to mention.

Thanks for all the help boys. Your suggestions made the difference.

Cheers
Richard

[ozwinner]

The solution?
Well, I discovered after one half hour period of frustration, that the network works much better if both computers are TURNED ON! :mad: :mad:

I lost all interest in your post after this.
I give you a greenie for effort.

Al

[vsquizz]

Cheers Richard. I had some similar probs setting up the network with Norton running so when the subscription expired I got zone alarm. ZA was the leader of the pack then and it all worked much better but is now (2yrs later) giving me some grief.

Hang in there.