Connectivity Issues - Can't figure out

[leopardjunkie]

OK My husband and I just got DSL about 3 months ago...After some diffuculty we were running smooth no connectivity issues or other problems..At that time the host computer was running Windows 98 and the other computer was running windows XP. Service is through Embarq and router is through Linsys

Then we added a hard drive from my old computer into my computer (the one that connects via router and runs XP) And the Computer that was running 98 was upgraded to XP Home. Ever since then we have not been able to connect both computers at the same time.

We called tech support for the router and the DSL connection both are running fine. We tested the cables they are fine...We re did the networking set up via the network wizzard on both computers. We tried different ports, reset the router, updated all the software....NO LUCK!!!

So my husbands computer the one that was upgraded to XP and is the host computer, can connect to the internet (DSL) when plugged into the internet via the DSl box from embarq or the router. However when we plug my cable into the router it boots both of us off and will just connect and disconnect every few seccond. I was able to connect to the internet by connecting my cable directly to the DSL box and avoiding the router, but now that disconnects me too.. We can't figure it out, please please someone help I am sick of paying for DSL we can't use.

Lets see. what else we can ping the internet from the host...but not the other computer. Once we plug mine in and it boots us off, we have to reset the router to get the host to work again. I run Macafee the Host runs Nortin. We have disabled the previous firewall software we had...can't remember the name.

[Floppyman]

I'm a bit confused with some of the terminology you are using. When you say the win98 (XP home) box was the "host" machine what do exactly do you mean by that? The way I understand your post you have the following setup

DSL modem --> Linksys router --> machine 1 and machine 2 plugged into router.

Is that correct? Also, if it is correct, is that the way it was setup before you upgraded the windows 98 machine? Just doublechecking to be sure.

When you installed DSL for the first time when you got the service, did you have to install some software from the provider on your machine or the windows 98 machine? Also, is the harddrive your machine just a spare harddrive?

Now for the connection itself, when you look in control panel under network connections, how many connections are shown (for both machines)? Are there any bridges listed that windows decided to create?

Are the McAfee and Norton just Antivirus suites or complete security suites?

Sorry for the many questions in return, just trying to narrow down the problem. Please let me know what you find out and hope this helps.

[leopardjunkie]

Sorry i have been reading to many trouble shooting documents.

You are correct with your assumption DSL modem --> Linksys router --> machine 1 and machine 2 plugged into router. And this is how it was set up prior to the upgrade

When we got the DSL we had to install software from the disk provided on computer # 1 which had the 98 installed.

Yes the harddrive is just in additional hard drive, so my main hard drive would be C:/ and then i have the option to store files/programs to F:/ which is my addtional hard drive

Under the network Connections on #1 there is one listed and it shows connected/firewalled
On computer #2 it shows one connection and it shows disconnected.

For Computer # 1 the norton is just antivirus and #2 Macafee is a complete security suite

Is there something that we need to adjust on the windows XP firewall that could be causing the problem? Just thought of that while i was getting the other info?

[telegramsam]

Ok;
Hopefully I understand this correctly. You now have 2 machines running XP, right?

If that is the case, let's start with the basics:

Go look at your network connections in My Network Places. Right click, go to properties. Then highlight TCP/IP and hit properties. In this applet, you should see "Obtain IP Address Automatically". Make that option is selected.

Restart your whole network, then start it back up, in this order: DSL Modem, Router, computers. Wait to start up for at least a minute between devices.

If these things don't work, we'll look at you firewall/Norton settings. These shouldn't be a problem if they're at standard configurations, though.

Let us know what happens...

[leopardjunkie]

I know that they are both set up to configure the IP automatically the router tech support had us check this after pinging...I have unplugged and restarted all aspects of the systems, routers, modem ETC. But not in that order, when we get back from Vacation We will try that order to see if that helps.

Does anyone know much about the media sensing? I did a google search last night for Network cable disconnected problems on xp and some people have had similar problems..but none have posted weather what they tried worked or not....I guess you can delete this out and it may solve the problems...I would like to try whatever Else i can first, but curious if anyone knows anyone who has had luck with removing the media sensing feature.

We have also virus scanned both computers and checked to make sure the network was connected inside the PC as well. which it appears to be, from what i can tell. It not really a card it was pre installed..(not the word i was looking for but close enough)

[telegramsam]

Try this:
Connect the DSL modem to one of the SWITCH ports on your router instead of the WAN port. Then connect both of the machines to other switch ports and restart the computers.

This is trying to pin down exactly where the problem is. If you can network either machine but not both at the same time, I'm thinking the blame belongs to the router or modem for now.