Wireless home network setup? Confusing to me!

[ClintKC]

I would REALLY appreciate some help setting up a new wireless home network.  I've tried and tried, and the best I can come up with is "Limited Connectivity" with no printer, file, or internet sharing.  My setup is a bit strange... I'll try to explain.

PC #1 is a new HP Pavillion desktop with a built-in wireless network card and external antenna.  It came this way... it's not an add-on.  This computer is using Vista 64-bit.  This computer has the internet connection, which comes from an Alltel wireless USB card.  (We live in the country, and do not want dial-up internet, so this is our only option.  DSL isn't available where we live.)

PC #2 is an older Toshiba Satellite laptop with a built-in wireless network card and internal antenna.  It came this way, and is also not an add-on.  This computer is using XP (with service pack 2, I think).

A computer guru friend of mine said that I can't directly network the 2 computers together, although I tried that and seemed to have some connectivity.  Still no printer, file, or internet sharing, however.  So I took my friend's advice and bought a new Linksys wireless-G network router.  It is connected to the HP Pavillion desktop computer, and I can get my laptop to find the wireless network at times (after changing multiple settings that I don't really understand), but can't get it set up properly.

I'm wondering if the built-in network card on the HP Pavillion is messing things up with the wireless router, since they are so close together (actually connected to the same computer), and/or if I need to bridge the connection or something.  (?)  I'm not computer illiterate, but know NOTHING about networks, really.

The USB wireless internet service we have also presents a problem with the Linksys automatic setup software.  It tries to search for broadband/DSL internet connected to the network plug on the router, which we of course don't have.  So I'm wondering if this will work at all.  I've played around with IP addresses, security settings, etc, etc, until I'm blue in the face and frustrated.

All I really want to do is share printers, files, and my internet connection.  I'm tired of running up and down stairs with a USB flash drive every time I want to print something or swap files between computers.  And to use the internet on my laptop PC, I have to unplug it from the desktop PC which prevents other people in the house from having internet access.

Can it really be this difficult?!  Surely it's simpler than I'm making it... but I really, really don't understand all of the static IP address, DHCP, ad-hoc/infastructure, private/public, WEP/WPA technology.  Makes it very hard for me to know what I'm doing.

I'd appreciate ANY help I can get... I really don't want to hire someone to come in and set this up for me.  THANKS IN ADVANCE for any help at all!

Clint

 

[blackdog]

First to clear things up, you can connect two computers wirelessly without a wireless router. This is called adhoc mode. This setup may be your best bet.  Check to link because explain it here can be tedious.
http://www.recipester.org/Recipe:Establish_Ad-hoc_Wifi_in_Windows_Vista_36180445


To share files and printers go here:
http://www.windvis.com/share-files-folders-and-printers

Hope this helps
_______________________________________ _____________
Counting in binary is easy as 01 10 11

[ClintKC]

Thanks, I'll try that again... that's how I started out, and had little or no luck.  Probably just doing something wrong.  Thanks.

[dahlarbear]

1.  HP Pavilion desktop with Vista 64-bit operating system.
     a.  Internet connection.  Through Alltel wireless USB card.
     b.  LAN connection?  Through built-in wireless network card with external antenna.
     c.  Is there also a built-in or add-on "wired" ethernet network card?

2.  Toshiba Satellite laptop with Windows XP (possibly SP2).
     a.  LAN connection?  Through built-in wireless network card with internal antenna.

3.  Printer.  Need to know where and how it connects to your network...
     a.  Is printer directly cabled to a port on the desktop?
     b.  Is printer directly cabled to a port on the laptop?
     c.  Or, is printer directly cabled to LAN port of router (ethernet switch port)?
     d.  Or, does printer use a "wireless" connection?

4.  Linksys wireless-G network router.
     a.  Presumably consists of the following subcomponents:
          (1)  One port router  (one WAN port)
          (2)  Ethernet switch (four LAN ports)
          (3)  Wireless access point
     b.  How and where does desktop connect?  (wired LAN port or wireless access point)
     c.  How and where does laptop connect?  (wired LAN port or wireless access point)

5.  Recommendation(s):
     a.  Desktop.  Any LAN "wireless" connection settings must match configuration of router (if using infrastructure mode).
          (1)  On the Internet connection, enable Microsoft's Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) function.  ICS is not included with Windows Vista  Starter.
          (2)  For the Internet connection, enable a "firewall" to filter input (and possibly output) internet traffic.
          (3)  For the Internet connection, disable "Client for Microsoft Networks" and "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks".
          (4)  If possible used "wired" LAN connection to ethernet switch, otherwise "wireless" connection to wireless access point subcomponent of router.
          (5)  Disable firewall on LAN connection while you're troubleshooting or setting up the network.  If desired, you can "enable" it after you get network working.

     b.  Laptop.  Any "wireless" connection settings must match configuration of router (if using infrastructure mode).
          (1)  If possible use "wired" LAN connection to ethernet switch, otherwise "wireless" connection to wireless access point subcomponent of router.
          (2)  Configure TCP/IP on the local area connection to "Obtain an IP address automatically".
          (3)  Disable firewall on LAN connection while you're troubleshooting or setting up the network.  If desired, you can "enable" it after you get network working.

     c.  Router.  Forget the automatic setup software.  Manually configure the router...  If you're not using the WAN port you don't need to be concerned with any of its settings (e.g. firewall, internet access restrictions).  Suggest you use wireless in "infrastructure" mode.
          (1)  Disable the LAN DHCP function of home router.  Local IP address will be assigned from ICS host computer's DHCP function.
          (2)  Disable "wireless" security while troubleshooting or setting up the network.  You should "enable" it after you get basic network functions working.

6.  Reference(s):
     a.  Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) in Microsoft Windows
     b.  ICS Host Computer Setup – Windows Vista
     c.  What is Wireless Network
     d.  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Setting-up-a-home-network
     e.  http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/default.mspx.  See links within "Network How-To Center" subsection.
         

[ClintKC]

Wow... now that's helpful stuff!  THANKS!!!  I downloaded Cisco Network Magic and got the computers networking (sharing files and printers), but not sharing the internet connection.  I really don't want to use Network Magic if I don't absolutely need to, so I've written down ALL of the settings and will try to make it work without using Network Magic.  When I have time.

I think my internet connection coming from a wireless USB card (on the desktop PC) is my problem.  It doesn't run through the router (through the broadband internet connection jack, like it's designed to do), so the router doesn't seem to know it's there.

Each computer has a printer directly connected (USB connection) to it.  I got that problem solved, however.  The router has 4 network jacks plus a jack for the broadband connection.  The settings page allows you to set it as either a router or a gateway.  (And I'm not exactly sure what the difference is there.)

Anyhow, thanks SO MUCH for your help!  Nice, detailed, and outlined VERY clearly!  THANKS!!!!!!!!!

[ClintKC]

I have a great connection now, and I'm sharing files and printers WONDERFULLY in both directions.  I have internet on my desktop PC (of course... that's where the connection originates), but my network map (Cisco Network Magic) shows no internet connection from the router.  And my laptop cannot access the internet.  I'll go through everything again and again.  I've gotta get this working... getting frustrating.

Thanks for all the help so far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1.  HP Pavilion desktop with Vista 64-bit operating system.
     a.  Internet connection.  Through Alltel wireless USB card.
     b.  LAN connection?  Through built-in wireless network card with external antenna.
     c.  Is there also a built-in or add-on "wired" ethernet network card?  YES, the Linksys router is connected to that.

2.  Toshiba Satellite laptop with Windows XP (possibly SP2).
     a.  LAN connection?  Through built-in wireless network card with internal antenna.

3.  Printer.  Need to know where and how it connects to your network...
     a.  Is printer directly cabled to a port on the desktop?  YES, via USB
     b.  Is printer directly cabled to a port on the laptop?  YES, via USB
     c.  Or, is printer directly cabled to LAN port of router (ethernet switch port)?  NO
     d.  Or, does printer use a "wireless" connection?  NO

4.  Linksys wireless-G network router.
     a.  Presumably consists of the following subcomponents:
          (1)  One port router  (one WAN port)
          (2)  Ethernet switch (four LAN ports)  YES, 4 LAN ports with another for Broadband Cable or DSL
          (3)  Wireless access point  NOT SURE... Windows network maps seem to call it a wireless access point sometimes
     b.  How and where does desktop connect?  (wired LAN port or wireless access point)  Ethernet cable from PC to wireless router
     c.  How and where does laptop connect?  (wired LAN port or wireless access point)  Wireless connection to router

5.  Recommendation(s):
     a.  Desktop.  Any LAN "wireless" connection settings must match configuration of router (if using infrastructure mode).
          (1)  On the Internet connection, enable Microsoft's Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) function.  ICS is not included with Windows Vista  Starter.  Did that.  Still no internet on my laptop.
          (2)  For the Internet connection, enable a "firewall" to filter input (and possibly output) internet traffic.
          (3)  For the Internet connection, disable "Client for Microsoft Networks" and "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks".  Did that.  Can't tell any difference.  Still no internet connection on my laptop.
          (4)  If possible used "wired" LAN connection to ethernet switch, otherwise "wireless" connection to wireless access point subcomponent of router.
          (5)  Disable firewall on LAN connection while you're troubleshooting or setting up the network.  If desired, you can "enable" it after you get network working.

     b.  Laptop.  Any "wireless" connection settings must match configuration of router (if using infrastructure mode).
          (1)  If possible use "wired" LAN connection to ethernet switch, otherwise "wireless" connection to wireless access point subcomponent of router.
          (2)  Configure TCP/IP on the local area connection to "Obtain an IP address automatically".  Did that.  No change.
          (3)  Disable firewall on LAN connection while you're troubleshooting or setting up the network.  If desired, you can "enable" it after you get network working.

     c.  Router.  Forget the automatic setup software.  Manually configure the router...  If you're not using the WAN port you don't need to be concerned with any of its settings (e.g. firewall, internet access restrictions).  Suggest you use wireless in "infrastructure" mode.
          (1)  Disable the LAN DHCP function of home router.  Local IP address will be assigned from ICS host computer's DHCP function.  Think I did that... not sure.  Router settings are kind of confusing.
          (2)  Disable "wireless" security while troubleshooting or setting up the network.  You should "enable" it after you get basic network functions working.

6.  Reference(s):
     a.  Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) in Microsoft Windows
     b.  ICS Host Computer Setup – Windows Vista
     c.  What is Wireless Network
     d.  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Setting-up-a-home-network
     e.  http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/default.mspx.  See links within "Network How-To Center" subsection.
         

[dahlarbear]

In order to share the Internet Connection, you need to "first" setup Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) on that "connection".  This ICS "host" computer is now responsible for the TCP/IP configuration of your entire network, and will assign IP addresses to the other computers upon resquest.  The other computers now need to be configured to get their addresses from the computer "hosting" the Internet Connection.  Their TCP/IP configuration "should" be set to "Obtain an IP address automatically".

You must ensure the home router does not get in the way, by disabling its "DHCP function".

See ICS Host Computer Setup – Windows Vista.

Since you're not using the "router" subcomponent of the home router, I don't think it matters whether its setup as a "router" or 'gateway".  You're only using the ethernet "switch" and "wireless access point" subcomponents of the router which I believe are independent of the "router" subcomponent.

If laptop also contains a "wired" network adaptor (ethernet connection), see if it works when cabled directly to a LAN port on the router's "switch".

Verify the TCP/IP configuration parameters that have been assigned for your LAN network connections:
     a.  Desktop "wired" LAN connection should be:
          (1)  IP_Address:     192.168.0.1
          (2)  Subnet_Mask:  255.255.255.0

     b.  Laptop
          (1)  IP_Address:     192.168.0.x           (where "x" is not "0, 1, or 255".
          (2)  Subnet_Mask:  255.255.255.0

While I don't think it should get in the way, also check the TCP/IP configuration for the LAN side of the "router" component of the Linksys network router.  If it conflicts with either that of the "desktop" or "laptop", change its IP address.
     c.  Home Router
          (1)  IP_Address:
          (2)  Subnet_Mask: