Wireless network

[Germain]

I am trying to help a friend who bought a laptop and want to have a wireless network.

She installed the wireless router on her desptop computer, and on the laptop I can see at the bottom right (close to the clock) the wireless connection, and it says that it's Connected to the network. However I can't connect to the Internet with the laptop. I checked to see if I could see the other computer in the windows explorer below My network places, but I found out that on the laptop, the Network name is WORKGROUP and on the desktop the network name is MSHOME. Therefore I presume that they both should have the same name.

If that is the case, how can I change the laptop network name (Workgroup) to (MShome).

Then I wanted to verify on the desktop computer, if there is a checkmark in the square in front of "Allow other computers to connect to the internet through this computer" and I don't remember where that option is.

I presume that these are probably the only 2 reasons why her network doesn't work. If you think of anything else, please let me know.

Thanks
Germain

[RicheemxX]

She installed the wireless router on her desktop computer

Can you explain what you mean by that? she has the router setup and the desktop connects but the wireless laptop does not??

and please elaborate on the setup
ie. what type of internet connection>router>desktop or laptop

btw this is in the wrong forums should be in the Networking and Internet forum

[sr71000]

I think you have your network wired up wrong.



your router should hook up DIRECTLY to your modem and everything (wired and wireless) should connect through the router! let us know if that helps!

[Germain]

Can you explain what you mean by that? she has the router setup and the desktop connects but the wireless laptop does not??

and please elaborate on the setup
ie. what type of internet connection>router>desktop or laptop

btw this is in the wrong forums should be in the Networking and Internet forum

You're right, I posted it in the wrong forum, sorry about that. However to reply to your questions, I meant that I can see at the bottom right of the sreen, on both computers, that the network icon is active and shows that both are on the network, but if I look in windows explorer under My network places, I can't see the other computer.

I hope that this explanation helps you, if not, do not hesitate to let me know.

[Germain]

I think you have your network wired up wrong.



your router should hook up DIRECTLY to your modem and everything (wired and wireless) should connect through the router! let us know if that helps!

I think it's connected properly. Modem to router and router to computer.

[sr71000]

do both get on the internet? from your first post I thought you were saying the laptop couldn't connect to the internet!

[Germain]

do both get on the internet? from your first post I thought you were saying the laptop couldn't connect to the internet!

Only the desktop connects to the internet, the laptop doesn't. But the laptop also has the same icon (like a miniature screen) at the bottom right taht the desktop has, and when you put the curser on the miniature screen (on the laptop and/or on the desktop), it says connected to wireless network.....

[darco]

Is the router set for dhcp? If not run ipconfig /all..make sure the default gtwy is pointing to your router ip address.... dr

[quickoldcar]

Click "start"
Then right click "My Computer" (sometimes is "Yourname on computername"
then select "properties"
All the tabs are there

"Computer Name" tab

Go down and click the change button, pick a pretty name for comp,and i always use workgroup and in the workgroup category
What I do is create same user accounts on all machines.<<< (VERY IMPORTANT)

I also undo "simple file sharing", To do this click "My Computer", then "Tools", then "Folder Options" and scroll all the way to bottom and uncheck "use simple filesharing"

Now whatever you would like to share you just simply right click on it, then the properties, then the sharing tab, checkmark "Share this folder", then select "permissions" button.
I myself delete everyone and anything in there. Then click "add" button and type in all of your user names you would like to share the file with including yourself. So type in a user name, then "check names" button. If it is a good username you will see the ok button highlight, If you did not type or use an incorrect username then you will get a message saying "An object named "whatever" cannot be found.

I give myself full control for everything. Click apply.

One thing to note is that for files I also have a security tab as well as the sharing tab. So need to set any permissions for them as well.

I also delete all the current names in there and then add all my user accounts and set the appropiate permissions i would like them to have.

Once you can browse all your computers and everything is working fine can also "map network drives". This will create a direct ummm "link?/shortcut?" directly to folders,drives and devices.

Very easy and very handy.

Click "My Computer" , then "Tools", then "Map Network Drives"
Select a Drive letter of your choice that is not in current use.
Then just browse for whatever you would like to map to.

Usually the route to take is Lan/Microsoft Windows Network/Workgroup/Computer Name

Hope this helps anybody who ever had problems like I used to.

I never ever have an issue lately, if you follow my instructions neither should you.

If it is xp home edition i believe you must download the extra's from microsoft for the remote connections for terminal server.

"Remote"
Checkmark the "allow users to connect remotely to this computer" and add user names and permissions

I add all my users to all my machines.

[quickoldcar]

I put that there for being able to talk to each computer.

I know realize that just the wireless does not get internet.

[Germain]

Thank you very much "quickoldcar". I needed the step by step instructions that you gave me, everything is working fine now.

[quickoldcar]

Glad to help