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Pinging issue

I have 5 computers at my disposal and multiple switches.
I take 2 computers and connect to 1 switch. Nothing else. No Internet, etc.

2 computers cannot ping one another.

Same subnet of 255.255.255.0 and IP's of 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.0.2. I also introduced two other computers as 192.168.0.3 and 192.168.0.4.

No computer can ping the other.

W7 Pro. Why am I doing this? All of a sudden the media center fell off of the network.

I've tried this scenario with 2 other known working switches.

Frank Helk

Have you tried to set the switch back to factory defaults ?
If the switches are segmented, you surely couldn't ping.

Another test that could rule out the switch: Have you tried to link two of the machines with a crossover cable ?

extremely simple: Does the switch have an uplink port ? Don't use that one ... it's a crossed version of the port beneath, and sticking anything into the crossed port won't work. If the uplink is used, the port nearby is useless and would interfere with the crossed one.

mitch harper

First make sure each system can ping 127.0.0.1, simple internal network test. Since this is a closed network and we are only trying to verify connectivity, disable the firewall on the systems completely. The Windows firewall will not allow a system to respond to the ping. Try pinging now. The next step has to do with the switch. Simple workgroup switches should 'just work', if it is a higher end unit it might have VLANs configured for the ports (this is usually for switches with 24 or more ports). If the ports are not on the same VLAN you will not get any traffic between them. If you want, get a crossover cable, or make one, and connect two systems with it. With the firewall disabled ping should work.

John

connect to 1 switch. Nothing else <-- So no DHCP server? You must have static IP addresses. Did you set up a Gateway address?

Sheldon Livingston

ASKER

I set up no gateway. Then I tried setting the gateway of each to each other. Still cannot ping.

I have rotated out multiple computers, switches and cables.

The goal is just to get to computers to ping each other that are only connected to a switch.

John

Find yourself a small, inexpensive router, allow it to be DHCP server, dispense with the switch and hook it up this way. That should work.

mitch harper

Gateway isn't needed unless you are trying to get out of the current network. You stated IP address that each system is assigned with the same subnet mask so that means they are all static assigned. Your issue sounds like a firewall is blocking traffic. Windows or whatever antivirus/malware software you have installed could block you.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

CompProbSolv

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UnHeardOf

is the windows firewall or firewall app turned on?

does the switch use vlans? make sure they are all on the same vlan.

Sheldon Livingston

ASKER

I am going to try CompProbSolv's thought of trying Safe Mode...

Kamran Arshad

Hi,

Turn OFF your windows firewall and any other Anti-virus for time being. If not then you have faulty switch or faulty NIC/ drivers missing

Sheldon Livingston

ASKER

Safe mode with networking allowed the computers to ping each other...

CompProbSolv

This points to a firewall or similar issue. Look at them specifically (preferred method) or disable everything from startup (all Startup items, all non-Microsoft services) with Msconfig and reboot. If pinging works, start putting things back into startup and see which one is the culprit.

Sheldon Livingston

ASKER

At the end of the day I just want to test the connectivity of the switch. I've got all 9 computers pinging each other which tells me that the connectivity issue that I am having (not mentioned in this question) is not with my switch... it is probably with my fiber connection.

Sheldon Livingston

ASKER

Not sure how to award points... CompProbSolv's suggestion on April 22 did what I wanted.

Frank Helk

See this help page for details on accepting answers and awarding points.

Sheldon Livingston

ASKER

The answer of using Safe Mode ultimately lead to me resolving both the listed immediate issue as well as my overall issue.