Posts by aeinstein

...I have a laptop connected via a LAN to a broadband connection that also has in inbuilt wireless card...I already have a network bridge in place between the wireless connection and the LAN...

since there isn't a universally singular way of setting up a "LAN" i'm a little confused about your setup. the following is a list of what i think you have, but letting us know would be best in order to assist you properly.

1) ISP service provides broadband service
2) incoming broadband connects to cable modem?
3) modem to wireless router?
4) router to network bridge?
5) then what?

also, is this the exact internet radio you're talking about? if not please provide a link. thanks!

let's make sure we're on the same page first:

1) DSL service
2) DSL connects to cable modem
3) cable modem connects to router
4) router connects wirelessly to pc#1 (Win XP): ok
5) router connects wired to pc#1: no connection

if that's not the case then post corrections, otherwise...

...when you're connected wired to pc#1 run ipconfig/all and post EVERYTHING that shows up - it's a lot of info.

take these steps to run ipconfig/all:

1) click start
2) click run
3) in the box type "cmd" (without quote marks) & then click the "ok" button - this will launch a DOS style window
4) if you're not at the "c:\" (without quote marks) prompt type "cd.." (without quote marks) & hit enter
5) repeat step above until you're at the "c:\" prompt
6) type "cls" (without quote marks) & hit enter
7) type "ipconfig/all" (w/o quote marks) & hit enter
8) record exactly what appears & post

Good Luck! :)

Reference post #4 in this thread......see if that works. Good Luck!

thank you, i will give it a try!!

If you have any problems just post what the issue is. Include what cable modem and routers your using, how they're cabled along with the OS of each computer (ie: pc#1-XPHome, pc#2-XPPro...etc), as well as how each device is getting it's IP address (DHCP/assigned). Good luck!

...as others have stated, depending on specific dates, I'll be there...

We have a cable modem linked to a router, then to 3 computers. We would like to link a 4th computer although running another cable through the attic sucks. can I take one of the cables and instead connect to another router and then split that to 2 computers? I just want to know if it is possible before I search for models of everything.

yes, very easily done.

...also, on my Toshiba Satellite notebook, I had to physically turn the wireless adapter on by a switch on the side, I think - if it wasn't about 3,000 miles away right now I'd look at it and let you know exactly what I did. BTW, did you RTFM (Read The Friendly Manual)? ;-)

...where they stand with all the coils (tons of coils btw)...

...with unshielded twisted pair cabling this will cause issues, period.

...and with no interferance or loss of connection on either machine.

...hmmm, ok, then what was your original problem?

marceta:

let me recap where we are - obviously correct me if i'm wrong:

1) you can successfully ping from the XP Pro pc to the XP Home pc;
2) you can successfully ping from the XP Home pc to the XP Pro pc;
3) you have file and print sharing enable on both machines;
4) you have disabled the XP built-in firewall feature on both machines;
5) you have (temporarily) disabled the Zone Alarm (whatever version) firewall;
6) you're ensuring the "vsmon.exe" is NOT running on either machin once you've shutdown Zone Alarm;
7) you have both pc's in the same network workgroup;
8) you have both pc's in the same subnet (i.e. 192.168.1.3 and 192.168.1.4)...

...and...

...A) you have not installed any other firewall software on either pc;
B) so, subsequently, you have not uninstalled any other firewall software from either pc;
C) there weren't communication schemes or network settings previously configured into either of the network cards and/or the router, respectively, that need to be deleted;
D) you don't have to specifically configure either of the network cards and/or the router, respectively, with your current communications scheme or network settings.

If you answered in the affirmative to ALL of the numbered inquiries and answered in the negative to ALL of the lettered inquiries then it's not a network-centric issue. In all probability it's a system(s) software issue - although I wouldn't rule …

...
Also, if one machine can ping the other, you're probably in pretty good shape.

most of the time yes, but not always. granted, and i agree w/you, that it makes sense that if you can successfully ping a target that the target should be able to successfully ping back, but i've seen it many a time that that wasn't the case.

The pings returned fine...

maybe, maybe not, as the "ping post" only contained the pings from one machine, not both.

look at my post in this topic above for ping!

thanks for hte link but Step 2: Start the Computer Browser service is fine and netbios is enabled on both!

wasn't that the ping from the Pro to the Home system - the one your not having a problem with?

ping...
...ping...
...ping...
...ping

Welcome Ammar! :)

well, it's a workaround, but it's not "fixed"

if u want to keep going 'til it's "fixed" then let us know (u could post the ping results from your new pc to the old pc as an indicator as well).

Good Luck!

Make sure that both pcs have File and Print sharing turned on (a checkmark next to them)

Make sure that XP's firewall and any other firewall, such as ZA, is turned off (it would be quite adviseable to make sure the network is physically unplugged from your ISP while your doing this troubleshooting, at least when you have the security features on the pcs disabled);

ping from the old pc to the new pc & post results

ping from the new pc to the old pc & post results

also, even when you shutdown ZoneAarm (ZA) it often leaves a utility running called "vsmon.exe" - once you've disabled ZA (temporarily, for troubleshooting) go into taskmgr, check the processes tab and make sure vsmon in no longer running (ie, it's no longer listed).

what are you'r OS's?
what firewall s/w are you running?

your using the standard/default mask of 255.255.255.0 - which, in a nutshell, means that the first three groups (or, quads) of the ip must match one another exactly in order for the two devices to communicate (at least as far as a small home/office network, w/o an admin, is concerned), so the easiest thing to do is to configure the ip's accordingly: set the ip of one router to 192.168.15.1 & the other to 192.168.15.2 (or ...15.3, ...15.4, etc), or configure one as 192.168.1.1 & the other as 192.168.1.2 (or ...1.3, ...1.4, etc). this way both routers would be in the same segment/network.

Linksys RT31P2

Local IP 192.168.15.1
Subnet 255.255.255.0

Local DHCP 192.168.15.100

Port 1 is ran to the second floor to Linksys WRT64G WAN Port

Linksys WRT54G

Local IP 192.168.1.1
Sunbnet 255.255.255.0

Local DHCP 192.168.1.100

WAN port IP address 192.168.15.100
Default Gateway 192.168.15.1

There are two Pc’s off of the WRT54G set for DHCP IP address 192.168.1.100 and 192.168.1.101

...ultimately, im trying to learn how to build a LOCAL and WIDE area network from scratch!

i'd recommend spending a few hours reading at a local public library - even an olderbook (within the last 5 or 6 years) will give you the basics that are still adhered to today (except it undoubtedly won't cover wireless issues to an appreciable degree if it's much more than four yrs old; depending on your needs that may not be an issue).

you don't say what you're OS is - i'll assume you have XP (whatever flavor), but correct me if i'm wrong; also, you'll need to have admin rights to your XP system in order to take this next course of action - check that; hopefully you've already deleted your temp files, including offline files, deleted cookies, and if you have a broadband or dsl connection you've reset your temp cache down to 1mb; if not do so now to see if that clears up the issues. ok, if you've done all that & you're still having connection issues locate your "HOSTS" file in the "C:\Windows\I386" directory and rename it with at least one character change, not including capitalization (be VERY careful and make sure this is THE file that you're renaming, cause this is all on your own hoof if the crap hits the fan) - it doesn't matter what you rename it to, so long as you can find it again, the easier the better (i'll typically use a date format: for instance, if i was renaming the hosts file today, i'd rename it as "hosts_20051213"; whatever works for you on ur system is all that counts). after you've got the file renamed (double check to make sure the renaming took) perform a full log-off and then a full turn-off, wait 10-15 seconds, or more if it gives you a warm fuzzy feeling [ ;-) ], and then reboot. the system will look for the "hosts" file, and, not …

it may well be the router, but it may be be something else, or something else in conjunction with the router being futzy; best way to resolve the situation is to figure out first what's exactly wrong & go from there. yes, you could bypass the the router entirely: go from the ethernet output from the modem into pc#1, nic#1, then out of pc#1, nic#2 (or port#2 if you happen to have/get a dual port ethernet nic), to pc#2, nic#1 (only 1 nic needed on pc#2). you have to setup ip schemes and make sure there aren't compatibility issues, but, it's typically not that big of a deal. thing is, the setup you have should work fine - if the equipment is functioning properly - so why not take a few steps to see if you can get it working?

first thing i'd do is uncoil the ethernet cables (btw, if you've got store-bought cables, the lengths of the cables typically aren't an issue, it's how they're run than causes most cabling related issues); there's varying schools of thought of what the highest number of coils a cable is capable of absorbing the (induction) interference of, but it's been my experience that it can tolerate three to four coils without adding to one's frustration levels. what i do, when i don't feel like cutting down a length of cable & crimping on a new jack, is snake the cable back & forth so that there's typically no more than …

OK, at least that eliminates two sources of issues,so that much is good. correct me if i'm wrong here, but I take it you're running a connection directly into the rp614 non-wireless router (what type - coax?), then two ethernet connections out of it, one to each pc. Are any of the ethernet cables to long to the point that you've coiled up the excess? Or are any of the ethernet cables running over or near sources of interference (such as doorbell or thermostat step-down transformers, fluorescent lighting, microwave ovens, etc.)? Also, when you were losing the connection after 3-4 minutes was it always the same computer, or was it both, or...?

i didn't read every word of your post - i'm shot & about to hit the hay - but it seems like you've got it all down pat. as far as how would you apply it, that sounds too much like an assignment of some type, so i'm not going to answer it directly. why don't you do this, ask yourself why is the scheme broken down into layers to begin with - what's the pro's & con's - and then, also, outline a transaction (data transmission) from the user of one pc, through the pc & it's local network, out to the "internet cloud/" through the target pc's local network, target pc & ultimately the interaction with the target user. From what you've listed here, and from what you say you know, you should be able to do that, and once you do you would have answered your own questions. Good Luck! :)

Could somebody give me a basic network and list how the OSI model was used, I would appreciated it????

I've studied on my own, in theory i know what it is, but I am clueless as to how I am suppose to apply it. This is what I know...

Layer 1: Physical layer

The physical layer defines all the electrical and physical specifications for devices. This includes the layout of pins, voltages, and cable specifications. Hubs and repeaters are physical-layer devices. The major functions and services performed by the physical layer are:

establishment …

if you bypass the router, and connect the pc that's losing it's connection every 3-4 minutes directly to your isp connection does it maintain a connection (say, for at least 30 minutes), or does it still drop out after 3-4 minutes?

Hey all,

This is my first post. I have a netgear rp614 router, and have a pretty odd (at least to my knowledge) problem. I get connection, but the connection disconnects itself off and on. about every 3-4 mins my connection fails, and then relogs itself. I have tried configuring the cat5 with a crossover, not successful. I also tried computer to computer connection Via a 3rd ethernet card. This is the way I would prefer to set up my network, but no matter what I try through the network wizard, I can not establish a connection on the second computer. I also tried a crossover cat5 wire here. I NEED HELP! :D

in IE, click Help, then click About IE, read "Cipher Strength" & post it here.

What we will DO for LOVE!!! :lol: Normally I'd say "Have Fun!", but in this case, I just hope it goes well for you instead! :)

I just learned what I needed to know about routers, I have a dial up analogue connection, and the router isn't equiped for that type of connection. Oh well, looks like I'll be crawling around under my girlfriends house installing new phone lines tomorrow.

Ok, so the rj-45 (Registered Jack-45) connection is connected to an rj-45/usb adapter which then goes into your pc. USB connections, can function adequately when used for an internet connection, they were never really designed for such an "always on" or continuous use, connection (it was originally designed for short duration communications, such as sending a file to printer, syncing up laptop/desktop files, downloading files from an auxilary devcice such as a pda or digital camera, etc.). With the specs on your machine there's a high probability that your system has an rj-45 connection as well, and odds are that your ntl box came with an ethernet cable too, so....i'd swap out the usb connection for the rj-45, which was purposely designed for an essentially continuous use connection. generally, this is what i would do:

1) locate rj-45 port on your system;
2) locate rj-45 cable - make sure it is of adequate length (there's two common types of rj-45 cables: straight-through and cross-over; if a cable came with the settop box we'll assume it's the correct type; if not we'll need to double check some items when we need to cross that bridge);
3) perform a log-off and then a shut-down of your system;
4) power down your NTL box (personally, i'd double check with your settop box provider to make sure that powering down the box for 1 to 5 minutes won't cause it to lose it's settings; if it might, then …

Contact Cisco/Linksys and have them either advise you where (or, how to access) directions on how to setup a stand-alone network from the materials that came with the unit, or if they would just walk you through it.

Does the settop box have an ethernet jack (receptacle opening) in the back (it looks like an oversized telephone jack)?

I know this is an old thread, but I'm reviewing my "recent" posts today, and trying to tie up any loose ends. My situation changed considerably after I started this thread and I wound up not going into business for myself, and as such no longer needed to toy with the idea of eventually setting up a biz www, after learning the fundametals with a personal www. I actually wound up relocating from NY to AZ and am attending college, and with studying and all I lost track of this thread, my apologies. I do want to thank the four of you for replying; I'm not sure all of that would have helped me make a decision, but that would have been on my hoof anyway. You all offerred your opinions, which is what I sought to begin with, and I very much appreciate your replies. Thanks again.

I know this is way tardy, but thanks all. My situation changed considerably after I started this thread and I wound up not going into business for myself, and as such no longer needed the s/w. I actually wound up relocating from NY to AZ and am attending college, and with studying and all I lost track of this thread, my apologies. Thanks anyway, as I do appreciate the feed back.

Bomba, what OS (Operationg System) are you using? Win98/XP/Linux/other?

Whats the make up of your network (number of pc's, network printers, network scanners, etc., all of which are also known collectively as "nodes")? I used to support broadband connections, which operate on the same principals as your ISDN connection, and we found that switches were invariably problematic for most users. I used to know why, but have since forgotten. But, basically, to formulate a resolution I need to better understand the situation, so the more specific you can be the better.

so, no one, out of all of our members, is familiar with Studio MX 2004 and how it works on both the PC and the Mac?

hijjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj

well now, wasn't THAT informative!

Other than user interface differences dictated by the OS'es involved, are there any differences in the capabilities of components of Studio MX 2004 when they're installed on a PC (running WinXP (Home)) versus when they're installed on an Apple (running OS X(.x))?

I've finally decided to bite the bullet and buy Studio MX 2004, but I just found out that, from what the sales rep told me, you can only install it on one platform or the other - even though the CD comes with both installation executables. Needless to say I'm not pleased about that at all, since I wanted to be able to run it on the laptop I have now, and then install it on a new high-end Apple PowerBook I'll be getting next year. Which, even though I won't be running it on two different machines at the same time, according to the sales rep, means I still have to buy two - full priced - iterations of the same software!

So, that leads me to this post - would most certainly appreciate some feed back! :) TIA

thx for the info & offer of additional support kc0arf, & my comments most certainly weren't directed at you as i'm well aware that the moderators "work" on a volunteer basis & appreciate ur assistance.

gee ppl, don't just don't fall all over yourselvs with helpful posts! geesh.

thx 4 the reply kc0arf; yes, i would go with RedHat myself. This is just going to be a website that myself and family members that are spread across the country can access. mostly it'll have jpg's, mov's & mpg's, but nothing too fancy - well, at least not to start off with. yes, i realize i do, & will, need to address back-up issues - more likely than not i'll back the files up to a different machine entirely. no, i don't have a ups, which is a good idea; i probably won't get one until i make the site interactive with whiteboarding, chat or bulletin board s/w. i have an old Compaq 450, 450Mhz PII w/96 MB RAM & and a brand-new-in-the box 80G HDD from a couple of years ago that i would probably use as the Linux box - sound like a suitable donnor?

...i'm thinking about getting a linux box (inexpensive suggestions welcome!) & setting up a small webspace. i've a broadband connection & the box will be behind a personal hardware firewall... there's so much information on this site about apache that i really don't know where to start, so i would greatly appreciate if someone gave me a heads-up on where a reasonable start would be - even if it's simply something like "read this thread (pls include link if possible! :) ) first. TIA :)

follow garycib's instructions for a start.

You can't connect two computers directly to each other with a regular(straight-thru) ethernet cable; you must use what's called a cross-over cable. I rechecked the thread and see that you mentioned that you're unsure of what a cross over cable is, so let me advise you how to check, because it is very important to know the difference between these two types of standard ethernet cables.

A standard ethernet cable (RJ-45) will have two male plugs, one on each end of the cable, that are almost exactly like a telephone wire jack plug (RJ-11), the only difference being that the ethernet cable ends will be two or three times the size of a telephone wire end (some ethernet cables will come with a little rubber/like boot covering most of the connector; if your cable(s) have these just push them back off of the connector for the time being).

You should see a little tab on the connector, which is what you squeeze to take the cable out of the the computer/router/DSL modem/etc. - if the connector is missing the tab the it's either broken off and you need to replace the connector(s)/cable(s), or if it is simply not there then you have the wrong cable(s) and once again they will need to be replaced with the correct cable(s) - hold each end of the cable in each of your hands so that they are oriented in the same way. The way I do this is I take my thumb and …

...I do not see any network interface cards anywhere...YFC UTP CAT.5E PATCH 150/IEC 11801 & EN 50173 & TIA/EIA 568B.2 3P VERIFIED FOR GIGABYTE ETHERNET-24AWG x 4P TYPE CM (UL) C (UL) CMHE161469...

i'll skip over the comment that you don't have any interface cards for now. please follow the instructions on how to determine if you have a straight through or cross over cable, as posted above. :)

...http://www.downloads.xdelta.co.uk/topinterim%202005/soho%20network%20diagram%20issue%201%2007mar2005.pdf...

good stuff and all, but i'm thinking this is gonna be a bit of information overload, especially for someone who may or maynot be conversant in information technology paradigms. afterall, if we can't establish whether or not cozzy has the correct cables the rest is moot.

so cozzy, let's hear about those cables! ;)

Sorry Aeinstein, I got in the middle of this thread and confused the issue with the long cable problem. I just posted about his crossover cable situation without seeing your last post, so I'll back off and let you handle it from here since you probably know XP.

zeroth

no prob dude ;) i actually don't know that much about XP - well, alot more than a non-techie but alot less than a techie into OS's - so this might well be something you may want to keep an eye on. for know, with the "network cable unplugged" indicator, it's still a physical connectivity issue and that plays to my strengths in networking. one way or another we'll get cozzy u/r!!! ;)

I borrowed mt sister's PC & tried all combinations, ie, connect 1 to 2, 1 to 3 & 2 to PC 3, & they all told me the network cable is unplugged when it is definitely connected up.

You can't connect two computers directly to each other with a regular(straight-thru) ethernet cable; you must use what's called a cross-over cable. I rechecked the thread and see that you mentioned that you're unsure of what a cross over cable is, so let me advise you how to check, because it is very important to know the difference between these two types of standard ethernet cables.

A standard ethernet cable (RJ-45) will have two male plugs, one on each end of the cable, that are almost exactly like a telephone wire jack plug (RJ-11), the only difference being that the ethernet cable ends will be two or three times the size of a telephone wire end (some ethernet cables will come with a little rubber/like boot covering most of the connector; if your cable(s) have these just push them back off of the connector for the time being).

You should see a little tab on the connector, which is what you squeeze to take the cable out of the the computer/router/DSL modem/etc. - if the connector is missing the tab the it's either broken off and you need to replace the connector(s)/cable(s), or if it is simply not there then you have the wrong cable(s) and once again they will …

...Finally, after many wasted hours and much less hair...

:lol: yeah, been there & done that too! ;) It almost sounds like an attenuation issue, but unless the "long" cables where just that but taken to an unreal level (for residential implementation anyway), that wouldn't be it...unless the custom made cables really are the culprit, and their "fault" doesn't come into play with the shorter cables? You're right, that is a real hair puller! Glad to see you got that one solved! ;)

...It had a regular connecter on one end and a wall socket on the other...

Hmmm, something doesn't seem quite right about that scenario! What to you mean by "wall socket"? Is it a female connector? If it's a female connector how are you connecting the end points & to what (i.e., one end to a router & one end to the notebook/pc), especially the "wall socket" side?

There's nothing mystical or impossible about the workings of cable: it's either working properly or it's not working properly, and when it's not it be exhibited as anything from a rarely encountered intermittent issue to a full and consistent cessation of functionality.

In this case it sounds like it could be a faulty connector that when connected to the additional cable is seating in such a way that permits data transfer, or that there is a break in one, or more, of the cable's wires that comes into play depending on how the cable is laying when the other cable is being used versus when it's in use by itself.

My recent experience hooking an extra computer to my network may help.

I tried everything and my new internet connection ran too slow to do anything. I suspected the cable from the beginning but plugged it into one of the working computers to test and it ran fine. It was a long cable and so I moved my router to try a short cable in the new computer. I was up and running. Lesson is - don't trust the cable. I could not believe it would work in one computer and not the other. But I have no problems now.

if the cable worked at one location but not another - or didn't work that well at the other location - then the likelihood that it was the cable is remote; more likely when you had the cable snaked through the long run it was too close to a source of electro-magnetic/RF interferance, such as too close to a florescent light, especially the ballast mechanism, a step down transformer commonly used for thermostatic controls and/or door bells, etc. After all, a cable can't fix itself so when it's broken (or, as in your case, slow, due to electrical/mechanical defect), it stays that way.