I can't seem to get my three desktops (XP w/SP-2), and one Laptop (Vista) to
all communicate with each other. One dsktp is connected by NIC to the cable
modem, the others connect with wireless cards. I've tried Network Magic on
all four with improvement, but not all will communicate with all. So, is
there a really good white paper on how to do this, like maybe "Networking for
Dummies with small home networks"?

Can you ping each other by IP? This how to may help too.

Vista How toIPCONFIG and Network Settings · Network Sharing · Manage UAC in
Vista ... From: Date: 11 Nov 2006 Comments: There are 5 versions of Windows
Vista: 1. ...
www.howtonetworking.com/vista/vista.htm


--
Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
http://www.HowToNetworking.com
"***TominFL***" wrote in message
news:C04B814B-AEBC-4F72-BE7F-02C3ED9AEE89@microsoft.com...
>I can't seem to get my three desktops (XP w/SP-2), and one Laptop (Vista)
>to
> all communicate with each other. One dsktp is connected by NIC to the
> cable
> modem, the others connect with wireless cards. I've tried Network Magic on
> all four with improvement, but not all will communicate with all. So, is
> there a really good white paper on how to do this, like maybe "Networking
> for
> Dummies with small home networks"?

"***TominFL***" wrote in message
news:C04B814B-AEBC-4F72-BE7F-02C3ED9AEE89@microsoft.com...
>I can't seem to get my three desktops (XP w/SP-2), and one Laptop (Vista)
>to
> all communicate with each other. One dsktp is connected by NIC to the
> cable
> modem, the others connect with wireless cards. I've tried Network Magic on
> all four with improvement, but not all will communicate with all. So, is
> there a really good white paper on how to do this, like maybe "Networking
> for
> Dummies with small home networks"?
I am confused by your description. Do you have a router in all of this? If
you don't, go buy one because routers make everything so much simpler.

All signals go through the router. You connect your modem via ethernet to
the one and only input (meaning that this port sends and recives signals to
the outside world) ethernet port. You connect your wired computers to one
of the available output (meaning that these ports send and recieve signals
from your LAN computers) ports. You configure the router as described in
the manual.
You configure the computers with the Network Setup Wizard. You configure
the wireless computers with the Wireless Network Setup Wizard. You enable
secure encryption for the wireless signals unless you relish having almost
everybody listening in.
At least two MVP posters have web sites which describe these processes in
great detail. Not only that, the subject is covered by the router manual
and the computer manuals.
Jim

Jim,
I have a cable modem that goes into a DI-624 wireless modem. My desktop is
wire- connected to it and the other two desktops and laptop connect
wirelessly to it. I have the wireless set to use encryption for the 3
wireless comp. I didn't know there is a wireless network network wizard to
use for the other units. I'll try that, thanks.
Tom


"Jim" wrote:

>
> "***TominFL***" wrote in message
> news:C04B814B-AEBC-4F72-BE7F-02C3ED9AEE89@microsoft.com...
> >I can't seem to get my three desktops (XP w/SP-2), and one Laptop (Vista)
> >to
> > all communicate with each other. One dsktp is connected by NIC to the
> > cable
> > modem, the others connect with wireless cards. I've tried Network Magic on
> > all four with improvement, but not all will communicate with all. So, is
> > there a really good white paper on how to do this, like maybe "Networking
> > for
> > Dummies with small home networks"?
> I am confused by your description. Do you have a router in all of this? If
> you don't, go buy one because routers make everything so much simpler.
>
> All signals go through the router. You connect your modem via ethernet to
> the one and only input (meaning that this port sends and recives signals to
> the outside world) ethernet port. You connect your wired computers to one
> of the available output (meaning that these ports send and recieve signals
> from your LAN computers) ports. You configure the router as described in
> the manual.
> You configure the computers with the Network Setup Wizard. You configure
> the wireless computers with the Wireless Network Setup Wizard. You enable
> secure encryption for the wireless signals unless you relish having almost
> everybody listening in.
> At least two MVP posters have web sites which describe these processes in
> great detail. Not only that, the subject is covered by the router manual
> and the computer manuals.
> Jim
>
>
>

Robert,
Thanks for the referral. I'll go there and hopefully find out what to do.
Tom


"Robert L. (MS-MVP)" wrote:

> Can you ping each other by IP? This how to may help too.
>
> Vista How toIPCONFIG and Network Settings · Network Sharing · Manage UAC in
> Vista ... From: Date: 11 Nov 2006 Comments: There are 5 versions of Windows
> Vista: 1. ...
> www.howtonetworking.com/vista/vista.htm
>
>
> --
> Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
> Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
> http://www.ChicagoTech.net
> How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
> http://www.HowToNetworking.com
> "***TominFL***" wrote in message
> news:C04B814B-AEBC-4F72-BE7F-02C3ED9AEE89@microsoft.com...
> >I can't seem to get my three desktops (XP w/SP-2), and one Laptop (Vista)
> >to
> > all communicate with each other. One dsktp is connected by NIC to the
> > cable
> > modem, the others connect with wireless cards. I've tried Network Magic on
> > all four with improvement, but not all will communicate with all. So, is
> > there a really good white paper on how to do this, like maybe "Networking
> > for
> > Dummies with small home networks"?
>
>

Hi
If both computers can connect to to Internet via the Router then usually the
issue has to do with the Sharing Settings.
Maybe this can Help.
Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network settings,
http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html
As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it is
allowed to be shared.
Vista File and Printer Sharing-
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../bb727037.aspx
Windows XP File Sharing -
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304040
Printer Sharing XP -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...utt_july2.mspx
Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357
Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120
Jack (MVP-Networking).

"***TominFL***" wrote in message
news:C04B814B-AEBC-4F72-BE7F-02C3ED9AEE89@microsoft.com...
>I can't seem to get my three desktops (XP w/SP-2), and one Laptop (Vista)
>to
> all communicate with each other. One dsktp is connected by NIC to the
> cable
> modem, the others connect with wireless cards. I've tried Network Magic on
> all four with improvement, but not all will communicate with all. So, is
> there a really good white paper on how to do this, like maybe "Networking
> for
> Dummies with small home networks"?