Network problems...

check your router settings and see if the router is seeing the second comp - umm ususally you can get to the router by opening up a browser and typing in the default gateway IP
might look at your router manual to get more specifics -

EH, What DSL modem/router is you ISP using and do you have a DSL Gateway/Router connected to it or a HUB?

The reason only one computer can connect is because they are getting their IP address assigned by the DSL modem and it sounds as if it only allows one IP address to be assigned. So both systems end up getting told they are the same system (IP Address) which can not happen. The first to connect to the DSL is the one that works.

You can test this by pulling the rj45 connectors(network cable ends) out of both computers and then plug one in and then the other and see which will connect and which will not.

Do it in reverse and I bet you find that the first one plugged in connects.

If your DSL Modem has multi connectors in the back of it, it should use DHCP to handle multi computers on the local LAN side (your house). But ISP's can be funny that way, they might demand that you pay for extra connections, and the reason there is more than one jack is that they figure you might have more than one computer throughout the house and they allow you one connection from any of the computers plugged into the DSL modem at any given moment.

Most of the time you want to put a DSL/Cable/Network - Firewall/Gateway/Router between your DSL Modem and your computers giving you the ability to connect a number of computers through the one feed (DSL connection). You also want to have hardware protection with at least NAT enabled to stop low level hacking of your systems.

(DSL Modem)--(DSL Router/Gateway)=Software Firewall/Virus - Computers on your network)

(DSL Modem)
WAN IP Address = assigned by your ISP

(DSL Router/Gateway)
DHCP = Enabled so when your WAN changes this DSL Router/Gateway will update.
WAN IP Address = passed over from DSL Modem which is assigned by your ISP.
LAN IP Address = 192.168.0.1 (depends on what one you have, Linksys defaults to 192.168.0.0, while others default to 192.168.0.1. I'll use the second)

Subnet Mask = 255.255.255.0

(Computer one)
IP Address = 192.168.0.5 (you can change the last number to anything you like starting at 2 and up to 254 as long as it is not the same number as any of the other equipment on your network)

Subnet mask = 255.255.255.0
DNS = Obtain DNS server address automatically (if you know or can find the addresses, you should add them, but it is not a must or shouldn't be)

Metric = Automatic

save and exit...

Do the same on all other computers changing the last number of the LAN IP Address; 192.168.0.8 and so forth. The rest is the same....


You need to make sure that all computers are setup to be a part of the same Workgroup if you wish to share resources and access files and such across them.

Windows defaults to MSHOME so they will be ok unless you change one of them, you need to change all of them to be the same..

Personally I would change them to something only I know because it is a habit to not use defaults for such things. Defaults are well know and people cracking networks always look there first (defaults).

Also passwords are something that you want to consider being creative with. Write them down, do not share them and do not use them anywhere else, including the web.

anyway...

just some possibilities, hope it helps....

oh I added you to my contact list in MSN on this laptop, I keep it close by at all times pretty much and it is always online through wireless, multiplicity_11 is the screen name....
If you want to add me I might be able to walk you through getting the second system online while the first one is online and in an IM depending on the hardware you've got and the setup...




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The the cable modem was given by the ISP when they installed our roadrunner service...Its a Thoshiba PCX 2500.

Right, the 1st one thats plugged in is the one that connects.

Unfortunately, there is only one Ethernet port at the back of the modem.

Ive got a (software) firewall up and running at all times.

Right, same workgroup (MSHOME)...Ive tried this, but it doesnt work. (Most likely due to the network being only semi-functional)...

Well, thanks for your help, Im off to change the IP's...

Hmmm, that didnt work...

Ok, I went into network connections, and then did the properties of the Local Area Connection...then, I went to Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and went into the properties of that.

Use the following IP address... 192.168.0.1
Subnet mask... 255.255.255.0
Use the following DNS server address... (Blank)

Clicked OK then close and tried to get on...
Page cannot be displayed etc...
Restarted... Same prob...

Right after I go back to "Use automatic address", I can get on.
Hmmm...

Let me get this straight, your setup is like:

modem --- router --- computers

Right? Let's start at the beginning. Do both computers have the routers ip-address set as default gateway? And are your computers on the same ip-range as your router (like: router is 192.168.0.1, laptop is 192.168.0.2, computer is 192.168.0.3)?

You will need a router to connect more than one computer to internet. My home has 3 computers and 2 laptops, and all of them connects to internet via a router. It's pretty simple.

Internet===Cable Modem====Router===Computers.

Nowdays the routers is very cheap at 100 bucks so you can buy one. If you has a laptop or plan to get one, get a router with wireless support so you won't need to buy new one when you gets a laptop. Price is same at 100$, so theres no difference. Btw if you're using wireless, use WAN and turn off broadcast workgroup name.

Oh yeah, do you have a router or hub/switcher? hub or switcher cannot help you set more than one computer to connect to internet, while a router can.
[Message Edited]

Perhaps the router needs "registered" with roadrunner, as the primary device used to connect. Cable can be tricky with a lan involved and sometimes the cable companies dont like to help out too much. Have you tried giving roadrunner a call?
What make/model router are you using?

Also, make sure the built in winxp firewall is disabled. From the Local Area Conection Properties, Advanced tab, make sure "Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet" is un-checked. This built in firewall can cause many many odd problems.

figured it out through IM...

had a cable modem = switch = computers

going to pick up 802.11g 54mbit wireless base with 4 ports and use wireless nic for laptop and rj45 for desktops, most likely. should keep the cost under $200.00 going with DLink

Or a second nic in a desktop setup as the gateway... resource overhead and such that way though...

If anyone has any other ideas it would be a help I am sure.

Options are always a good thing




[Message Edited]
[Message Edited]

EventHorizon

I have two computers running xp prof and a dsl connection. When we set up our network (2 wire router- wirless connection) we had failure after failure setting it up. I started disabling background apps one by one to see if any were interferring. Turns out it was (believe it or not) our pop-up stopper that was preventing the successful set up. My suggestion would be to be sure allunneccessary running apps (including firewalls and antivirus) are disabled before you start. Also, did your router come with software? (I havent thouroughly read thru this entire thread) My router specifically warned not to use windows network setup wizard. Also under folder options, make sure you have "use simple filing sharing" and "automatically search for network folders and printers" checked. You say the second computer cant connect to the internet, can you at all read each others computers? (are they actually connected?) Have you tried pinging the other computer?
[Message Edited]

IPlural and I talked a bit about it over IM and pretty much got it all worked out. (Turns out that I had a *Switch* not a *Router*) Pinging ive tried... And no, I cant see the other comps in any shape of form over the network...

I had this problem!!!

Turns out WinXP and Win98 don't see each other.

The one thing I didn't get a chance to try was making one computer the main gateway to the internet:

Internet - Router - Computer - Other Computers

I needed to install another ethernet card in the main PC and basically set up a BUS network for the rst of the PC's, printer and scanner.

Mac's are easier to set up. No wires...

Can't wait until Bluetooth become standard. Then it won't be such a hassle (except for security )

IPlural, you've got HotMail