One more Networking problem

[Bob338]

I just recently posted on another problem and briefly touched on this networking problem. Here's the link to that thread. http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=164305

I'm trying to set up of a home network for file sharing and connection through a dialup modem. Office computer is a Dell desktop with a 56K modem. I installed a Linksys LNE100 TX NIC and then connected a Linksys WAP54G ver. 3 access point to it.

The Toshiba laptop which I'm trying to connect has a Atheros AR 5005G wireless network adapter which I'm trying to use in the network. It also has a Realtek RTL8139 Ethernet NIC.

The laptop shows both the Wireless Network Connection, which is enabled and through which I'm trying to connect, and also shows a LAN which is disabled and shows a "network cable unplugged," which is the reason I've done everything through the wireless network connection. The wireless network indicates a connection is "excellent" to the wireless network, presumably the access point. At one time I was able to check E-mail through the gateway computer from the laptop and I thought I had it done until I tried to enable file sharing then everything stopped. The computers still don't see each other and don't show up in "My Network Places."

I want to connect the laptop wireless to the office computer and am not having any luck. I've run the Network Wizard every which way and have even manually altered settings of the TC/ICP to try to get the machines to see each other with no luck.

The access point says it's ready to work right out of the box, no software, and the Linksys NIC in the office computer is plug and play. It seems to work and the hardware is recognized.

What am I doing wrong?

[glc]

When you enable internet connection sharing, it hard sets the sharing NIC to 192.168.0.1 and turns it into a DHCP server. Therefore, the WAP54G must be set to either an IP in the 192.168.0.x subnet or set to obtain an IP address automatically. You can do this by putting the WAP54G CD into the desktop computer and doing the basic configuration.

[jimithing1980]

I would try setting the laptop IP address to 192.168.0.2 with a gateway address of 192.168.0.1 and a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. Set the DNS servers to whatever your ISP has given you. This should work.

[Bob338]

I don't have the disk. Is there any other way to set those IP addresses? I'll try to get something form Linksys.

That seems like the problem. In checking further through the laptop there is a diagnostic program in there that says the connection between the access point and the desktop is faulty, it's not, so that would mean the connection stops at the access point.

[jimithing1980]

Yes, go to Start-->Control Panel-->Network Connection... Right click your Wireless Connection and go to Properties. Scroll down the list and highlight "Internet Protocal (TCP/IP)" and click Properties. Select "Use the following IP Address" and type in the numbers I gave you. You'll also still need the DNS server addresses since I don't believe a computer with Internet connection sharing provides DNS service or forwarders.

[Bob338]

Eureka! Got it! Many thanks. Didn't require the DNS addresses and it doesn't show on either machine, not sure why, I think my ISP had told me it was automatic. Only things I did differently today was to "reset" the access point, insert the IP address you gave me (which I had done before without success,) and all the shared files show up now in My Network Places. Thanks a bunch!!!

[glc]

For your info, ICS provides full DHCP services to the clients. Automatic IP and DNS works fine. However, not all wireless access points are capable of being DHCP clients.

[Bob338]

Thanks for the education, I need it. At least I did something right!!