<Livebox Issues? ~ Connecting two or more PC's on a wireless network
robhynes
Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 3:02 pm
Joined: 12 Aug 2007Posts: 7
Hi all,
I have had the Livebox for over a year now and up till now - touch wood - it's been ok.
My setup has been...
1) My main PC connected via ethernet to the Livebox
2) My laptop which has built in wireless
I've just bought a Belkin wireless dongle and connected it to my main PC (1). I've disconnected the ethernet cable to the Livebox and I am able to surf wirelessly.
Now this is working, what I want to know is - after I've run the Windows "Wireless Network Setup Wizard" (by passing a USB dongle between the machines) why is it my machines still cannot see each other??
I've made sure they have the same workgroup name but when I try to browse the network neighbourhood the computers can't see each other.
I can't ping either.
I've tried stopping zonealarm on both machines (Windows Firewall is switched off).
My understanding was that the computers should be able to see each other. I'm now wondering whether I need to configure the Livebox as a router?? Is this the case??
All I want is some pointers really on how to get this working. Thanks.
The livebox should allow networking by default with no changes. Unless the advanced firewall options let you, then I don't think there is an easy way to prevent it.
You did mean the "Network Setup Wizard" and not the wireless version didn't you?
You could try entering the other system's name into explorer's address bar and see if it will access that way. E.g:
\\MyPCName
Or for example if you check the connection status and find the IP of the other system:
\\192.168.1.15
Also make sure you've turned on sharing for each system and actually shared a folder somewhere.
Thanks for the reply - I did actually mean the "Wireless Network Setup Wizard" It's part of XP SP 2 I believe.
Don't use that, it's for setting up ad-hoc connections and stuff. Nothing needed for the setup you really want.
Quote:
Sorry for my ignorance but am I right in thinking the two machines WILL NOT talk to each other without a router?? (Wirelessley that is).
Oh they can, in ad-hoc mode, but using a router is a much better way of doing things, especially as it will have the internet connection so you don't have to switch around both systems connections to share files and such.
Quote:
A colleague in work says I MUST configure a router to allow the two machines to talk to each other ??? (So I must configure the live box as a router)
Most routers are configured to allow networking by default, that's half the point to them. Generally it's the PC's that need to be setup for networking along with any security software.
Quote:
I've tried browsing the network and all I can see is the Inventel box - but I can't see either PC.
Using Vista by any chance? For it to automatically see other XP systems they need some extra protocol thing installed.
Quote:
I've also tried pinging via IP address and also tried the \\mypcname but with no success.
They are both wirelessly connected to the livebox and have internet access? After that normally it would be any security software causing problems.
Joined: 12 Jun 2006Posts: 907Location: Weston-super-Mare, UK
robhynes wrote:
Now this is working, what I want to know is - after I've run the Windows "Wireless Network Setup Wizard" (by passing a USB dongle between the machines) why is it my machines still cannot see each other??
I take it that you have 2 dongles - one in each machine. Apologies if this sounds rude.
Yes I have two dongles - one per machine. Although I'm thinking now that I could have left the main machine cabled to the livebox and didn't need to get an extra dongle.
We'll see - when I finally get this damn network running !!
Rob,
Glad you've got it working.
You don't say (and why should you) why you wanted to change your PC's connection from wired to wireless. I'm probably missing something, but if I had a PC which stays in one place and it is practical to connect by ethernet I would (and do) opt for that for a number of reasons:
(a) The connections between the PC and router will be faster (although shouldn't make a difference to internet as slowest part of chain will be the internet connection).
(b) It will be more secure
(c) Radio connection subject to interference
(d) Reduces radio signals bouncing around your home
David
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