Home networking troubleshooting

[boybi]

I have successfully setup a home network using my desktop (wired) and laptop (wireless) through a Linksys wireless router with DSL connection (SmartBro). Both can share files and the printer that is connected to my desktop.

Last December, I subscribed to PLDT DSL. The weird thing is, I can't use my Linksys router with the supplied DSL modem of PLDT so I removed the Linksys and just connected my desktop directly to the DSL modem. So, my home network is now gone. My laptop now connects to the internet via SmartBro.

A few days ago, after countless phone calls to PLDT DSL due to my intermittent connections, a technician came and changed the DSL modem. The Linksys wireless router can now connect through this new modem.

So I tried to network my 2 computers but it always fail. I run the networking wizard on both PC. The desktop went through the wizard in a breeze. The laptop always returns an error, without stating what kind of error, just a message saying to do the setup manually or try the wizard again.

Using the desktop, it can see my laptop, but can't access its folder/s even if those folders are shared. The laptop can't find other computers in the same workgroup.

I have reformatted the desktop a few months ago, during the time that both computers were not hooked up together. Was this the cause for not being able to setup the network properly? How can I remove the existing network in both computers so that I can setup a new network?

[CPY61]

Boybi, can u give details :

Linksys : what model ? version (its at the bottom)?
Desktop : OS ?
Laptop : OS ?
NEtworking : Cant see each other ? Can see each other but not access?
INternet : Both can INternet?

Thanks. I'll try my best to help u out.

[Yoda]

Nakakakuha ba ng IP address silang dalawa? Ano output ng "ipconfig /all" sa command prompt?

[GmZ]

I have reformatted the desktop a few months ago, during the time that both computers were not hooked up together. Was this the cause for not being able to setup the network properly? How can I remove the existing network in both computers so that I can setup a new network?

i don't think so ser, madali naman alisin sa network ang computer. alisin mo lang IP Address or ibahin mo. Ibahin mo din ang workgroup. There are a lot of factors why you cannot network two computers. Naka-connect ba properly yung 2 computers?

[roninblade]

So I tried to network my 2 computers but it always fail. I run the networking wizard on both PC. The desktop went through the wizard in a breeze. The laptop always returns an error, without stating what kind of error, just a message saying to do the setup manually or try the wizard again.

Using the desktop, it can see my laptop, but can't access its folder/s even if those folders are shared. The laptop can't find other computers in the same workgroup.

I have reformatted the desktop a few months ago, during the time that both computers were not hooked up together. Was this the cause for not being able to setup the network properly? How can I remove the existing network in both computers so that I can setup a new network?

reformat na yan....


j/k.

so yung laptop lang talaga yung meron problem sa connection?
nakakapag-internet ka na using your desktop pc?
baka meron naka-setup na IP sa laptop mo for SmartBro kaya meron connection problem sa router mo.

[wildthing]

uy parang the same problem natin boybi... yung PLDT DSL ko dito sa bahay naka ZyXEL modem with Linksys router - okay lahat ang networking namin.

pero yung PLDT DSL namin sa office sa manila na iba ang brand ng modem with Linksys router, ayaw mapagana ang printer sharing kahit na rerecognize naman yung mga computers..

[boybi]

Boybi, can u give details :

Linksys : what model ? version (its at the bottom)?
Desktop : OS ?
Laptop : OS ?
NEtworking : Cant see each other ? Can see each other but not access?
INternet : Both can INternet?

Thanks. I'll try my best to help u out.

Linksys: WRT54G V5
Desktop: WinXP Media Center Edition
Laptop: WinXP Home Edition
Networking: Desktop can see laptop, but cannot access it. Laptop cannot see desktop.
Internet: Both can connect to the internet through the Linksys.

[Alpha_One]

Have you tried another router? In all honesty, the WRT54G V5 and above aren't exactly known for reliability.

[boybi]

Nakakakuha ba ng IP address silang dalawa? Ano output ng "ipconfig /all" sa command prompt?

Nakakakuha both the desktop and the laptop ng IP from the Linksys assigned by DHCP. (192.168.xxx.xxx)

i don't think so ser, madali naman alisin sa network ang computer. alisin mo lang IP Address or ibahin mo. Ibahin mo din ang workgroup. There are a lot of factors why you cannot network two computers. Naka-connect ba properly yung 2 computers?

Pano alisin or ibahin ang IP address? Palitan ko yung sa DHCP ng Linksys? Both computer are connected properly since both can connect to the internet through the Linksys.

so yung laptop lang talaga yung meron problem sa connection?
nakakapag-internet ka na using your desktop pc?
baka meron naka-setup na IP sa laptop mo for SmartBro kaya meron connection problem sa router mo.

May problema nga sa laptop when I use the Home networking wizard. After performing all the steps in the wizard, lumalabas na error: "An error occured......" pero hindi naman sinasabi kung anong klaseng error.

How will I know kung may nakasetup na IP from SmartBro sa laptop ko?

uy parang the same problem natin boybi... yung PLDT DSL ko dito sa bahay naka ZyXEL modem with Linksys router - okay lahat ang networking namin.

pero yung PLDT DSL namin sa office sa manila na iba ang brand ng modem with Linksys router, ayaw mapagana ang printer sharing kahit na rerecognize naman yung mga computers..

Puro PLDT branded itong mga modems na nagamit ko. Pero itong bago, Alcatel daw ang internals, yung luma na ayaw gumana dun sa Linksys, Zyxel daw internals nun.

[CPY61]

Linksys: WRT54G V5
Desktop: WinXP Media Center Edition
Laptop: WinXP Home Edition
Networking: Desktop can see laptop, but cannot access it. Laptop cannot see desktop.
Internet: Both can connect to the internet through the Linksys.

WRT54G v5, is just fine. Im using WRT54GS v4 & v6.

1. Lets make sure that they are of the same workgroup. Kindly check : right-click My computer then properties. Click Computer Name, then click the CHANGE button below. Both the desktop and the laptop should have the same workgroup name.
2. Enable the Guest account on both computers. Right-click My computer then click Manage. THen click LOCAL USERS AND GROUPS, Go to Users, u should see the GUest account on the right panel enable it.
3. NOw restart both computers. Then try to share a folder in either computer, and access it through the other. Na access ba?

Clarification(s)/ Question :
Your desktop is wired-connected to the WRT54G, right? and your Laptop is accessing the WRT54G through wireless, correct? and WRT54G is wired-connected to the PLDTDSL modem (I assume). What is the SmartBRO is for? whereis it connected?

[boybi]

Walang LOCAL USERS AND GROUPS sa laptop. How can I add this?

Both computers are on the same workgroup.

[boybi]

Clarification(s)/ Question :
Your desktop is wired-connected to the WRT54G, right? and your Laptop is accessing the WRT54G through wireless, correct? and WRT54G is wired-connected to the PLDTDSL modem (I assume). What is the SmartBRO is for? whereis it connected?

I had SmartBro before I subscribed to PLDT DSL. Then the modem of PLDT doesn't work with my Linksys so I used PLDT DSL on my desktop and I retained the SmartBro for my laptop through Linksys.

Now, after the PLDT modem was changed, I've been using PLDT DSL for both of the computers through the Linksys router.

[Yoda]

Given the info you provided so far, mukhang walang problema as far as TCP/IP is concerned since both were able to get IP addresses and can connect to the Internet. Can they ping each other? I'm inclined to believe they can.

So ang problema na lang ngayon is file/printer sharing. Tama ba?

Go to Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services. Check mo mga services na to, they should be running on both computers.

- Computer Browser
- Server
- TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
- Workstation

[raikkah]

Baka naman static IP address gamit mo... gawin mong dynamic... yung router mag assign sa iyo ng ip address...

Dati nung di ko mapagana yung wireless ko.... nakaka connect pero hindi makapag internet... so hindi ako nag rely sa windows para mag connect....merong 3rd party na software yung wireless card ko , sya ginamit ko... Ok na sya ngayon...

pag sa laptop ko, walang hirap, connected agad... yung isang laptop ko, meron kasing PCMCIA card pa akong nilagay kasi ala syang built in...

yung sa desktop ko.. PCI, OK.. 3rd party na utility pa rin... wag windows.

[boybi]

Given the info you provided so far, mukhang walang problema as far as TCP/IP is concerned since both were able to get IP addresses and can connect to the Internet. Can they ping each other? I'm inclined to believe they can.

So ang problema na lang ngayon is file/printer sharing. Tama ba?

Go to Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services. Check mo mga services na to, they should be running on both computers.

- Computer Browser
- Server
- TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
- Workstation

Yoda,
The desktop can ping the laptop, but not vice-versa.

Those 4 services are all present and running in both computers.

raikkah,
both computers have their own IP addresses assigned by the router's DHCP.

[boybi]

Atlas! I fixed the file and printer sharing of my home network! Hindi pala naka install yung NWlink IPX etc. sa desktop ko. Special thanks to GmZ, and to all of you who posted in this thread trying to figure out what went wrong in my network. Thanks talaga!

[Yoda]

Yoda,
The desktop can ping the laptop, but not vice-versa.

Those 4 services are all present and running in both computers.

Firewall? Do you have SP2 installed? Or a 3rd party firewall?

Atlas! I fixed the file and printer sharing of my home network! Hindi pala naka install yung NWlink IPX etc. sa desktop ko.

Hmm, in that case, the file/print sharing protocol is now going through IPX instead of TCP/IP. If it weren't for the possible firewall issue (or something else), dapat mag-work din sya even without IPX installed.

Kaso nagwo-work na e. Bayaan mo na.

[boybi]

Di ba automatic na SP2 na if naka Media Center Edition?

Yup, both computers have 3rd party firewalls installed. ZoneAlarm in my desktop and Comodo in my laptop.

Salamat ulit sa inyo

[Yoda]

Di ba automatic na SP2 na if naka Media Center Edition?

Oo yata, pero not sure. Di pa ko nakakagamit nyan e. The SP level should be indicated in Help -> About Windows from Explorer.

Yup, both computers have 3rd party firewalls installed. ZoneAlarm in my desktop and Comodo in my laptop.

Baka nga yan yung problem. If the firewalls are blocking pings, it may be blocking other protocols too kaya sila hindi makapag-file sharing over TCP/IP.

[boybi]

Which is better ba, IPX or TCP/IP?