Is this a hardware or software issue?

Hi
I've been reading many threads on this forum, but none gives me any clue to my problem.
I have this config:

desktop (XP Home) --wired--> GATEWAY <--w'less-- lappy(XP Pro)

The gateway (NetComm 5580W) is connected to ADSL.

I get access to internet OK from both machines, but only when I assign manual IP address to the lappy.

I want to set up a network to share and transfer files between the two. I used the Network Setup wizard, and the network appears under My Network Places on both machines.

However, each machine can only see itself. Occasionally, the lappy is shown on the desktop, but can't open it.

Ping from desktop to gateway - OK.
Ping from desktop to lappy - no response.
Ping from lappy to gateway and desktop - OK.
Subsequent ping from desktop to lappy - OK, but if I try again later on, no response.

Tech support for the gateway blame it on Windows, but they would, wouldn't they.

Both machines have admin accounts without passwords, and guest accounts. The folders I want to share are set accordingly. In the System/Computer Name, the network name is shown.

Any ideas?

Joe

Let me see if i can help you,

First let me ask you if your gate way is a router and the dhcp server int he router is turned off.

Than you laptop and pc make sure you assign static ip within the same network range saying like 192.168.1.xxx

So your gateway should have an ip address right lets say its 192.168.1.1

Your clients should have 192.168.1.2 and 192.168.1.3 and on the default gateway set the ip to your router/gateway ip done...that

Lets set your work group to the same name. If you are using XP turn off simple file sharing in windows XP as if simple file sharing is on than you would have to turn on your guest account which is a security flaw. After turning off the simple file sharing in your folder options you should see the ntfs and normal sharing option comming out when you click a folder and go to its properties.

Make sure you give them the right access and by sharing them.once you have done that all should be done from my guess i thkn you wireless in getting dynamic ip from the gateway so that might pose a problem..raft guess try it out than see the results

thanks for trying to help, routerhu.

Firstly:
Yesterday I bought an ethernet cable and connected the two computers to the gateway by cables (it has 4 ports), and everything works OK on first try and without me having to assign the IP addresses. Internet access, and my home workgroup as well. I can see all shared folders on both machines and use them. I can print from the notebook via the shared printer which is attached to the desktop.
So this, in my mind, eliminates any suspicion that there are firewalls or that the computers do not allow access from the outside.
The DHCP Cliet table on the gateway shows the two computers by their names and by IP addresses.

Secondly:
I disconnect the notebook from the ethernet port, enable the wireless in the gateway (DHCP server is also enabled), plug in the WLAN PC card into the slot, and the card finds the w'less network. TCP/IP is set to obtain IP and DNS automatically.
Everything appears OK, but nothing works. The W'less network connection status shows traffic to the card, but nothing going out. The IP is nothing like what it should be (the gateway is 192.168.1.1), and the gateway and DNS fields are blank.

Thirdly:
I set TCP/IP in the card to IP 192.168.1.101 (the desktop gets, for some reason, 192.168.1.100, not 192.168.1.2), and enter the gateway IP and DNS. Only then it will work, but only for internet access. The local network is not recognised, and the DHCP client table only shows the desktop. (All this with WEP disabled.)

Ping from notebook to the desktop is OK, but not the other way round.

So I don't really know where to start looking for solution.
Could there be a hardware fault or bug in the gateway? I think this is unlikely, although it runs very hot.
Is the WLAN PC card faulty or improperly set ? - I have it in default settings because there is no info provided by the manufacturer regardig this, and they told me not to change the settings.
With the PC card came a utility to run the w'less connection instead of the Windows' Wireless Zero Config service, but it is incomplete - doesn't line up with the manual, doesn't allow WEP, etc, so I use Wireless zero Config service.
This service is dependent on "NDIS usermode I/O protocol" - I don't know whether it is installed on the notebook (XP Pro). Don't know where to look for it.
The notebook has XP Pro, but not all components are necessarily installed.
The WLAN PC card, ethernet card and the gateway are same brand, and came as a "bundle", so I would think that the system should be able to work together on all levels.


To your reply:
The gateway is a ADSL modem, router, DHCP server, w'less AP all in one box.
It's IP is 192.168.1.1

I would appreciate if you could point me where to do further investigation.

Joe

Hello,

Although u r working on wirless it is not at all necessary to enable dhcp server on gateway. Try with disabling the dhcp server and assign static ip address to both the system (desktop & lappy) and set the ip & other configuration as early. I m sure u willl get the +ve result.

Try it.

Have you looked for a driver update for your Wlan card it sounds like it is your problem.You may want to try to disable your ethernet port before you connect with the wireless card. This web site may also give you some insite. And the ndisio file is located here.
C:\windows\system32\drivers\ndisuio.sys

http://www.ndis.com/pcakb/KB01010301.htm

Thanks for trying to help;

Today I took the gateway and wireless adapter for a "checkup" to where I bought it. It is still within the "dead on arrival" period.
They found that the DHCP server would only work properly with a starting address 192.168.1.5. Also they re-enabled the Wireless Zero Conf service, and left it run alongside the manufacturer's utility, which is contrary to what the user's guide says.
For a while it was running OK, except - My wired desktop (XP Home) could see all the shared folders on the notebook (XP Pro), but did not have access inside them. The notebook did not even get access to the network. This may be a Windows issue, but it is very strange - remember, when both PCs are connected by wire, there is no problem with access or sharing. The notebook has a barrier around it only on wireless connection. I was running the wireless without any WEP security - could that be the problem?

Anyway, 4 hours later it was back to square one - the notebook reverted to IP 0.0.0.0, and it would only work on manual IP.

It looks to me now like a hardware problem related to heat. I will try to have it replaced. I remember seeing posts on my ISD forum that people have to cool this unit with a fan. I don't want to do that.

In the meantime I will try to find out something about XP Pro vs. XP Home permissions on another thread on this forum.

Joe

Today I had the gateway and the wireless adapter replaced, and the new hardware works fine.
I can share everything set for sharing from the XP Home machine, and something from the XP Pro. There are some additional permit issues I am not familiar with.
I wish I could downgrade the notebook from Pro to Home.

Thanks for trying to help.

Joe