EricCartman
asked on
I can't go online with a wired connection to my Zyxel router
I've recently installed a Zyxel P-660HW modem/router onto my network, replacing a malfunctiong Linksys one.
Connected to this by a LAN cable is a desktop PC, while three laptops access it wirelessly. All are running Vista home.
After initial setup, all worked fairly well, with the main PC and the three laptops al able to access the internet.
The problem was that none of the laptops could see the main PC, and it could not see them. The main PC has the printer attached, so I need it to be visible on the network.
I've made some changes - making sure the network was 'private' rather than 'public' and ensuring all machines were on the same workgroup, etc.
After a bit of fiddling around with settings, I started to see the laptops on the network screen, and they could access the main PC.
But now the main PC cannot get onto the Internet!!
I've tried uninstalilng the device drivers, and reinstalling them, but that's not worked.
The main PC can only access the local network.
I've resorted to using a spare wireless USB adapter on the main PC, but I really want the reliability of the wired connection.
I suspect that resetting the main PC's network settings might work - so that it discovers the wired network 'from scratch', but other than resetting the router and uninstalling the LAN adapter drivers (both of which have failed to do anything), I don't know what else to do!
Connected to this by a LAN cable is a desktop PC, while three laptops access it wirelessly. All are running Vista home.
After initial setup, all worked fairly well, with the main PC and the three laptops al able to access the internet.
The problem was that none of the laptops could see the main PC, and it could not see them. The main PC has the printer attached, so I need it to be visible on the network.
I've made some changes - making sure the network was 'private' rather than 'public' and ensuring all machines were on the same workgroup, etc.
After a bit of fiddling around with settings, I started to see the laptops on the network screen, and they could access the main PC.
But now the main PC cannot get onto the Internet!!
I've tried uninstalilng the device drivers, and reinstalling them, but that's not worked.
The main PC can only access the local network.
I've resorted to using a spare wireless USB adapter on the main PC, but I really want the reliability of the wired connection.
I suspect that resetting the main PC's network settings might work - so that it discovers the wired network 'from scratch', but other than resetting the router and uninstalling the LAN adapter drivers (both of which have failed to do anything), I don't know what else to do!
Can they ping each other?
What security protocol do you have setup?
What security protocol do you have setup?
ASKER
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, but I was trying to get some assistance from my ISP, who also supply and support the router. The only advice they gave that has helped me make a little progress was to d/l and install Network Magic. I've done this on two of the machines, now... the main PC and one of the wireless laptops.
To answer your question, coral47 - two of the laptops have Norton Internet Security installed, while one has just the Vista firewall. The main PC is just on the Vista firewall.
The wireless PCs can ping each other.. but not the main PC, and the main PC cannot ping the laptops.
On the 'map' screen on NW on the main PC, I can see one of the laptops, but it is 'greyed' out and reports that it is not switched on. Which it is. I have also disabled Norton on this machine, but that made no difference.
On the laptop with NW installed, I can see the other laptops and the Xbox 360, which is using a wireless connection also.
This is becoming very frustrating!
To answer your question, coral47 - two of the laptops have Norton Internet Security installed, while one has just the Vista firewall. The main PC is just on the Vista firewall.
The wireless PCs can ping each other.. but not the main PC, and the main PC cannot ping the laptops.
On the 'map' screen on NW on the main PC, I can see one of the laptops, but it is 'greyed' out and reports that it is not switched on. Which it is. I have also disabled Norton on this machine, but that made no difference.
On the laptop with NW installed, I can see the other laptops and the Xbox 360, which is using a wireless connection also.
This is becoming very frustrating!
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
I know I had 2 different icons for the same Vista computer I was playing with a while back.
One could see the other system I was transferring files to and from, the other icon couldn't.
added note: Windows 7 does the same thing.
One could see the other system I was transferring files to and from, the other icon couldn't.
added note: Windows 7 does the same thing.
ASKER
I did some fiddling as per your suggestion - and I managed to get the laptops to see the main PC!! And one of them was able to send to the printer!
BUT
When I plugged the phone connection back in again... the main PC was unable to access the Internet.
I tried everything, but it showed that it was set up as a 'public' network in the network settings screen and refused to go online, even though the other machines were connecting wtihout a problem.
BUT
When I plugged the phone connection back in again... the main PC was unable to access the Internet.
I tried everything, but it showed that it was set up as a 'public' network in the network settings screen and refused to go online, even though the other machines were connecting wtihout a problem.
You need to try and get the PC to use both public and private networks.
I don't have a Vista system at the moment, but my W7 install has 2 different icon for itself in the Network page, and I seem to remember Vista did the same thing.
I don't have a Vista system at the moment, but my W7 install has 2 different icon for itself in the Network page, and I seem to remember Vista did the same thing.
Maybe you need to set public and private lans in the router?
Naaaa... I just checked, and my modem/router is set to only private (but it is not wi-fi and is a Westel.
Is the DHCP Server box checked?
Is the DHCP Server box checked?
ASKER
I tried your suggestions, Coral, but in the end I had to call in an engineer to take a look - he spent an hour fiddling with settings, IP addresses, etc, but eventually said that the problem appeared to be with the network card on my machine (built in to the mobo). He supplied a new one which still gave me a problem, but once I assigned a fixed IP to my main PC I finally got it working - the main PC is now showing in the network map as being connected to a 'switch', which is then connected to the router, which is hoooked up to the rest of the wireless network - all the connected machines now show up, and can share the printer.
Since I've pretty much answered the question myself I don't feel able to award full points, but I am grateful for your input Coral47 so hope you are happy if I use my own solution and pick one of yours to, to share the points.
Many thanks again for your help.
Since I've pretty much answered the question myself I don't feel able to award full points, but I am grateful for your input Coral47 so hope you are happy if I use my own solution and pick one of yours to, to share the points.
Many thanks again for your help.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Thanks for the offer, but you should be able to Accept you own answer, which will give you a choice to Refund your Points with either a Delete or a PAQ.
I am glad to hear you got it working, though. : )
I am glad to hear you got it working, though. : )
Thank you much. : )
ASKER
I didn't understand the system... It looks like I've lost the points....Never mind :)
ASKER
But now I'm back to the situation where my main PC can't see the wireless laptops, and they can't see the main PC!
I don't want to fiddle around anymore in case I have to reset the router again, but I'd really like to get my network running properly.