Seeing other PCs on home network

[dialsing]

I have a twin-wan network at my home - 4 PCs attached. Works great. Now, how do I get the PCs to see each other?

Thank you so much for your help!

[EzyStvy]

Are they ALL members of the same workgroup?

[dialsing]

I don't think so - how can I set this up?

Thank you,
Diane

[EzyStvy]

Control Panel->System Icon->Computer Name tab->"to rename" option

[AlwaysUp]

Ah...what Operating systems do you run on these systems? Each machine must have a unique machine name and belong to the same Workgroup. Depending on which OS you are running further direction on where and how to check your network settings and protocols and how to share resources can be related to you.

[dialsing]

I have created a workgroup for each PC. Each PC is running Windows 2000. Each PC has a unique computer name. Any suggestions as to what to do next ;-) Thank you for your help.

Regards,
Diane

[Confused]

You have to enable sharing. Right click a file or printer, select properties, click sharing tab.
Chas

[LocoCoyote]

All computer should belong to the same workgroup.

[dialsing]

Sharing was already enabled.

[LocoCoyote]

Did you make them all members of the same workgroup?

[dialsing]

All are members of the same workgroup

[AlwaysUp]

dialsing, I don't understand what you mean by "twin-WAN" network. Could you explain how you have your network setup physically? ie., what hardware and how you have it configured.
Also, do this. In Win2K, right click "My Network Places" and choose "properties". When "Network and Dial-up Connections" window comes up right click "Local Area Connection". Select "properties" Does your Local Area Connection properties look similar to this?

[AlwaysUp]

Is this what you mean by Twin-Wan?
http://products.datamation.com/netwo...085592816.html

[AlwaysUp]

Is anyone of these devices what you have?
http://www.xincom.com/products.html

[dialsing]

Yes, my set up is like your screen shot (with one additional component checked "Deterministic Network Enhancer"

As for my network set-up, it is as follows:

Cable Modem Line to 1 WAN Port on Xincom-DPG502
DSL Modem Line to 2nd Wan Port on Xincom-DPG502

From the Twin-Wan (Xincom-DPG502) there are four ports. I have 3 PCs & a Netgear 4 port Router (which currently houses a network printer & will soon house a VOIP device & another PC). Ain't technology grand ;-)

Anyway ... I am just trying to get two PCs on the Xincom to see each other first - I'll worry about the rest later.

Thanks again
Diane

[AlwaysUp]

When you double click "Computers Near Me" in your Network Places, do you see any of the other two PC's?

[dialsing]

Here's a little drawing of the network (I do ot draw well):

[AlwaysUp]

I haven't a clue what a "Deterministic Network Enhancer" is! Although I assume it is part of your hardware setup.

[dialsing]

After all this, I think I know what the problem is .. I think it may have something to do with the Netgear router (which is where the other pc WAS plugged into). I'll have to do some tweaking here - but I appreciate all the help. I can see the other pc when I plug it directly into the Twin Wan - so ... I'll have to see what I need to do from the Twin Wan manual about attaching additional routers etc.

Again - thanks for the help ;-)

Diane

[AlwaysUp]

Pretty sophistated network you got going there, though. Are you running a business?

[fudtone]

On my network (much the same) I had to search of pc's near me for each the first time through.

Also I think they each had to be offering somthing shared.

[AlwaysUp]

Absolutely, fudtone. That's why I was asking her. To get an idea weather or not she had shared either a drive, mapped drive, directory, folder, or file. In Win2K you can share down to the file level, if that is your wish. But I think she has the right idea as to some of the problem being that second router. If I am reading the "Twin-WAN" info correctly, the Twin WAN is a router. I expect she'll get to the bottom of this!

[fudtone]

If needed I would think you might set the Netgear address as a DMZ minimizing any internal resistance.

[dialsing]

Yes, I am running a business out of my house. I had just a router running for quite some time, but there was always fear of data interruption in case the cable company I was using for connection had a problem (we get really harsh weather here so you never know). The Twin Wan Router has automatic redundancy (which is why I have the DSL), AND it combines the speed of both, when both are up,giving me better than T1 speed most of the time.

Now, back to the problem. I have shared drives on both PCs, and although I am able to SEE the other PC when both are on the Twin Wan, I cannot access either computer.

All the ports on the Twin Wan are both Lan & Uplink, so I can't imagine why it just won't work automatically. Very frustrating!

Diane

[fudtone]

You are able to see them... What message do you receive when you attempt to access the other PC's files?

[AlwaysUp]

So, you have gone into My Computer and right clicked the drives you want to share and selected sharing and then given the drives names?

[dialsing]

Error Message:

\\computername is not accessible
THe network path was not found

BUT, I didn't actually name the drives, I just gave access to them, so I will try that now. In the meantime, I have contacted the router companies to ask if there is a configuration I would need to do on ether or both to gain access.

Thanks again - I'll keep plowing away ...

[fudtone]

By default 2k drives are shared. You may need permissions or a New Share "group"

[glc]

You only want 1 router in this network. Use the TwinWan, and get rid of the Netgear - replace it with a switch.

[dialsing]

I was thinking I would disable the router functionality on the Netgear & use it as a hub ... what do you think?