Can't see other computer in network

[WLO]

Ok Here is the problem. I had a 2 computer network functioning fine until the cable guy came to install broadband access (@home service through Insight Communications). Whatever he did, my little network between my system running Windows 98 SE with a Linksys Etherfast card no longer sees my wife's HP 800 Mhz. PIII laptop running Windows Me with a built in NIC. Before he fiddled with it print sharing and file sharing both worked. Now I have cable access which works fine on my system but the computers don't see each other. Both are connected to Linksys 4 port hub with an uplink port. The cable modem is plugged into the uplink port on the hub. I bought a router and was intending to install this in order to have a firewall and share internet access, but I haven't even begun to mess with this until I get the basic network going (it is still in the box). Under the identification tab he did change the name of my computer and said that when I install my router that I will have to name it what my system is currently called. I also don't want to fiddle too much with my wife's laptop as if I screw it up I'm dead. Help HAL 9000 I think I am pushing hard enough.

[K A Hall]

Do what the cable guy said. Hook up the router to the uplink port on the hub and plug the cable modem into the router as well and use your current computer name for the host name on the router. Follow the instructions that came with your router to set up the rest, it is easy to do. Enable DHCP on the router and then rename your computer back to what it was before the cable guy came. Set both pc's to obtain an IP address automatically and you are set to go.

[Prew]

Had a similar problem with 2 Win '98 machines and a Laptop with Win ME. The two Win '98 machines could see each other but not the ME Laptop (which couldn't see either of tbe '98 machines). Fixed the problem by installing the Netbeui protocol on all machines and suddenly the Laptop ME is connected to the LAN. Don't know why this worked because the two '98 machines could see each other using TCP/IP or IPX, but it worked regardless. See if the cable guy erased the Netbeui protocols.

[glc]

The cable guy probably changed the workgroup name to @home - which is not only unnecessary but is a major security risk. File and print sharing over TCP/IP is also a major security risk with a broadband connection, and the cable guys always disable this. I always use NetBEUI on home networks for file and print sharing, no reason to use TCP/IP except for Internet sharing.