Please help me with @$*%&! home computer network!!!?

Question

Got a new beautiful computer to go with my other computer but we can't get them to share the internet connection longer than about 10 minutes without it crapping out. Right now I've given up and hooked up the old computer again directly.

Both are Windows XP Home Edition, I use Cox Cable (cable modem LAN w/Motorola modem), I have a Linksys Wireless Broadband router, two brand new ethernet cables, just installed Norton Antivirus 2006 on both, otherwise the one computer is brand new with nothing much else on it.

I'd like to share my printer, plus see the files on each computer, plus both use the internet connection. We've tried calling Cox, calling the router tech support, using the Network Troubleshooter with Windows and I'm about to lose my mind. Anyone have any idea what the problem might be and a good step by step website suitable for my needs to help us out?

Print and file sharing is not super important, what I really want is to share the internet connection. We got it working today but every 10 minutes or so it seemed to "lose" the IP address or connection to the server and we'd have to disconnect everything and plus back in and then it would work again. We tried to network years ago and had the same problem and gave up but I'd love to make it work this time. Maybe it's something with the cable company? Or my network settings?

Answer 1

I'm not sure if you've gotten your problem solved with the above help. Here's a few more things to double check:

1. Make sure that both computers are set to obtain ip addresses automatically.

2. Turn Windows Firewall off on both computers. If you're behind a router, there's no need for ICF. (be sure that you've enabled the Firewall option on your router). Turn off any other software firewalls. (be sure to keep your antivirus software active though).

3. From your description, it sounds like you've enable Internet Connection Sharing. There's no need to enable ICS. The router will do the work for you. Be sure that the "share my internet connection" is not clicked on either computer. Be sure that you've plugged both computers into one of the ports labeled 1,2,3 or 4 - not WAN. Ensure that neither of the cables is a crossover cable.

4. Be sure to clone your MAC on your router so that your Cable company recognizes you and doesn't boot you.

5. Try reducing the MTU size (setting on your router)- be sure it's 1492 or less - try something like 1424.

6. If all else fails, try replacing your NIC on your old computer. NIC's are relatively inexpensive, and if you've tried networking before with your old computer, the offender may be that old Network Interface Card.

7. Be sure that your security and authentication options in your network settings are off.

Hopefully something works. Network issues can be a real pain!

Answer 2

Home Edition isn't the greatest for Networking, but it can be done... First, make sure Both PC's are in the Same Workgroup... also, make sure that File/Printer Sharing is Enabled.

EDIT... No to what the previous guy said, you DO NOT need any kind of FIle Server or Printer Server for just sharing between both computers.

EDIT #2 .. after reading your Additional Details, it sounds like maybe the Settings in your router need to be changed. Go into your Router's settings (type its IP Address into your browser... usually 192.168.1.1).. Try to look for the DHCP Setting... it sounds like the DHCP lease is set to only 10 minutes, where you should set it to forever.

Answer 3

Woah, if you want to share files, you need to buy a server, and all kinds of stuff, like for you printer you will need a "printer server" if you can't connect it via Ethernet, I reconmend connecting the computers through the Linksys router, seeing files on both computers requres a server which goes up and over the $1000nds so I'd forget about that.

Answer 4

Try going to start, My network Places, then run the "setup a home or small office network"on both computers. If successful you will see the results in "view worgroups". To name the workgroup, right click My Computer, go to properties and select computer name. If all else fails, best buy will hook it up for you.