Networking FAILURE!

A

aantoine90

New Member
Hello, I have 3 computers (Win XP Pro) I need to be networked together, I have a Dlink wireless router, and a Dlink switch. I have cable internet with a modem. The modem is plugged directly into the router. Then I have an ethernet cable plugged into the router that travels all the way downstairs to my first floor (from the 2nd floor) and into the switch. Then I have 3 ethernet cables that go into the switch and into my PCs. My PCs can all access the internet (which is at times SLOW/DISCONNECTED) but cannot see each other or ping each other. I want to know how to access each pc from another one and to share files back and forth. Any ideas on how to reach my so far unachievable goal? Thanks for your help. I am new to networking and any help is greatly appreciated.
 
First, you must add each computer to the same workgroup. You can do this in system properties under the computer name tab and click the change button at the bottom to create the workgroup. Each machine must be on the same workgroup in order for this to work correctly. You can check to see if this works by clicking My Network Places and by clicking view computers in workgroup. You computers should be listed if they have joined the workgroup successfully. Also, make sure you have NetBIOS enabled; this is what Windows will use for local computer name resolution. If you haven't even heard of NetBIOS before or never disabled it, then don't worry as it's enabled by default.

Next, enable file and printer sharing under the connection properties for the local connection. You will have to do this for each machine if you wish to transfer files back and forth from each machine. Then on the particular machine you would like to share a folder, right click that folder and click sharing and security. Once you do that you can enable the share and assign it a name, you will also need to setup the permissions since Windows by default will use the guest account for accessing files on remote machines within the workgroup.
 
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Check your IP addresses and make sure they are all on the same subnet for example 192.168.1.X where X is different on each computer and the rest is the same. If your router is using DHCP it should be giving out the IP addresses to the computers. Use ipconfig /all from a command prompt to check the IP settings on the computer.
 
I have done ipconfig /all and the router is set to DHCP. Even with DHCP the pcs just cannot ping each other!??? It is so frustrating. I just want to be able to ping each machine and then set up a shared drive to just drag and drop files/folders to and from. Why is this not working, I am thinking of calling a networking technician but those people cost money that I do not have to spend. PLEASE help me come up with a more 'free' solution! Thanks.
 
You can ping w/o being in the same workgroup, but are you in the same workgroup? BTW, how many ports is your router? Maybe your switch is acting up.
 
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No, I cannot reach the internet with all the computers, I used to, but recently one of the computers just stopped working and the internet is REALLY SLOW!
 
Do you have some sort of firewall? I had to tell my firewall that it was ok for certain subnet IP/computer IP to acess my computer for my network to work.
 
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