Have two desktops networked via dsl modem and linksys router (wired) and today tried to add a third for the purposes of swaping files. I have been through the setup a lot of times and each time all seems to go as planned, but the third PC just will not connect. At one time, fairly distant past, this tower was the host in a network without dsl and I wondering if the ip address needs to be changed. if so, how do I do this. It had a different workgroup name which I changed in control panel/system. Had no such problems networking the other two.

Thanks, David

Hi David,

The ip address is set to automatic during the setup wizard...

The best is to have all your systems using static ip addresses. Right-click your network properties, select tcp/ip, properties and set different ip addresses on all your systems. I use 192.168.0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and so on, with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 on my home network.

Ensure that all your systems are on the same workgroup.
Also, all systems must have "file and printer sharing for Microsoft networks" installed

Chris

Hello Chris:

Thanks for getting back. I tried what you said to do and it just didn't work. Also tried repeating the network setup program that worked when I set up the other PC (the Linksys one called EasyLink_connect) and also (after setting the ip address as you advised and checking to see that file and printer sharing was checked) tried running the XP network setup program. Nothing has worked. I know I'm doing something wrong. I just really want to know what and get back to my regular job. You're a real gent. Thanks for helping.

David

Have you shared the folders you want to swap files from and to on all systems ? (just shooting in the dark, as setting a network without being physically there may sometimes be tricky)

Some resources you may read though:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/n...ng/default.mspx
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308007
http://www.pcnineoneone.com/howto/hmnetwk1.html
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/homenet...ome_Network.htm

Chris

Hi Chris:

What is MAC bridge Miniport? And how did it get into my computer? And should I disable it. I should tell you at this point that I did disable it and ended up with a physical address of FF-FF-FF-FF-FF-FF. With MAC Bridge Miniport enabled the physical alldrss is: 02-20-78-11-BE-22. After running ipconfig/all it comes up with this:

Ethernet adapter Network Bridge (Network Bridge):

Media State....................: Media disconnected
Description.....................: MAC Bridge Miniport
Physical Address.............: 02-20-78-11-BE-22

I know its abear trying to do this long distance, but........... any ideas?

David

Chris:

I am addressing this update reply to you as you are the only one who has responded thus far, but would offer this to all who might have a thought or who might encounter the same or similar circumstances. The network connection to my third computer has been accomplished but I have absolutely no idea how it happened. Let me just list the series of events that occured and the final outcome;
First I went through the steps to connect the third (#3) computer to the network including; the process with Linksys' Easy link to connect through the router, Windows XP's process through My Network Places (Set Up a Home or Small Office, etc.), all to no avail. I followed IronBender's advice and checked out his links to try to garner some intelligence and work through a solution. Not finding solutions, I finally resorted to System Restore (before which I disconnected my Cat 5 cable from the ethernet card in my PC) which brought me
to my reply to Iron Bender asking what the heck MAC Bridge Miniport is. After spending a fair abount of time researching MAC Bridge Miniport on the internet, I finally gave up and just reconnected the Cat 5 Cable to the PC and all of a sudden, the network connection was made. I am going to list the results from ipconfig/all so you can ponder and maybe comment. I plan to use the connection to make sure that whatever is on #3 that is valuable will be copied to my main computer and then stop worrying.
Ethernet adapter network Bridge (Network Bridge):
Connection Specific DNS Suffix....: launchmodem.com
Description.................................: MAC Bridge Miniport
Etc, Etc, Etc

As an aside, thank you all for being respectable and respectful of each other. During my internet queries, I visited one forum where one contributor used such nasty and disrespectful language that I could not believe it would be allowed to be viewed.
And last, please join me with your prayers or at least your sympathies for the families of those victims in the Virginia Tech massacre this day. Friends, we need to take care of each other.

Deacon

Hi David, thanks for the feedback. Glad you got it sorted.

This is a comment I grabbed out there about the MAC Bridge Miniport:
Hope this will help other members with the same problem.

Chris