Two suggestions for newbee's

[Redo40]

Wonderer,
Try power cycling the cable modem (shut it off for about 10-15 minutes then restart).

Also, try connecting only 1 computer until everything is setup.

Check the light on the network card in the computer.

[glc]

No amount of modem cycling is going to help if you can't connect to the router's internal IP address - you have a basic networking issue or a defective router.

Win98SE is pretty easy - make sure you have obtain an IP address automatically checked in the TCP/IP settings of the NIC adapters, no default gateway, DNS disabled, use DHCP selected on the WINS tab. Reboot, then run WINIPCFG. Select the NIC adapter in the dropdown box and check the IP address. If it's 192.168.1. something you are communicating, if it's 169.254. something you are not, you have a bad nic (or wrong driver), bad cable, or bad router - or the TCP/IP stack in Windows is blown out.

[AlwaysUp]

Wonderer, if properly connected, EVEN if you have no established internet connection, you should be able to connect to your Router setup and configuration by launching your browser and when you get the familiar" unable to load page" just type in the address bar 192.168.1.1 and enter. Just verifying weather or not you understand that no internet connection is needed to get here. (I know this is the address of LinkSys routers, but ensure that this is the right address for your router.) Let me hear back...gfot for now! PS. You will be presented with a user/password dialog box. Check yor router documentation to find default password.

[Wonderer]

glc - thank you for that -

make sure you have obtain an IP address automatically checked in the TCP/IP settings of the NIC adapters, no default gateway, DNS disabled, use DHCP selected on the WINS tab

- all are as you advise. Running WINIPCFG yields 82.41.171.38 as an IP address?? Blown TCP/IP stack?? sheesh - sounds serious.So how do I tell? and sort?? if it is.

AU - Thanks also buddy. I did kind of feel I should be able to access the router's setup and config whether an internet connection was established or not - it just won't do it!! I did initially take the router into the supplying shop where a tech 'set' the router up for me.It seemed to access the setup fine so I just left and expected it to work straight off back at home - Hah!! Well that's it, I guess back to the shop to get them to check they gave me the correct cables.
The router's address is quoted in the little instruction book as 192.168.1.1
btw - gfot is what this whole thing is starting to sound like.

[glc]

Sounds like the cable modem is connected to a router switch port instead of the WAN port, that's an IP that would come directly from a cable modem, not a router. Disconnect the cable modem and power cycle the router, then reboot the PC, see what you get.

[Wonderer]

glc - with router only connected address is 192.168.1.3. Can't do anything else in this mode.
Dan

[glc]

That's what you should see. You should now be able to open 192.168.1.1 in your browser and administer the router. When you reconnect the modem, make sure it's in the WAN port of the router.

[may61980]

I'm a new bee in this networking thing?

I have a 3 pc, 1 ADSL modem without the router and a switch.

I would like to know izit possible to use software such as Wingate to replace a router?

[AlwaysUp]

If you haven't already, may61980, you might repost this by itself as most folks may not find your question, as it is pretty off the original thread topic.

[rambler]

Yes, let's get back to that. In Network Bondage, Steve Gibson states that "The single BIGGEST security hole that exists is Windows File and Printer Sharing over your TCP/IP (Internet) connection." However he then goes on to say "The best FREE thing you can do for your Internet security is to cut yourself loose from the Client for Microsoft Networks!". Some discrepancy, here I feel. Surely if what he says about F & P Sharing is true, then the best free thing you can do is to disable THAT?

In fact enabling "Client for MS Networks" is NOT any kind of security exposure on an internet connection. It's a CLIENT, not a server. Even "F & P Sharing" is not in itself a security exposure - enabling NetBIOS over TCP/IP is the exposure. It's what allows access to NetBIOS names and network shares.

He says disabling "Client for.." and " F & P Sharing" will "Completely close your system to all NetBIOS name and resource sharing leakage, and firmly shut the three NetBIOS "scanner bait" ports 137, 138, and 139".

This is true, but in fact, just disabling NetBIOS over TCP/IP will achieve all this, even if the two network components are enabled.

Once exposure of shares and associated ports are disabled on the internet connection, there's in fact no need to carry on with the this procedure for networked PCs. Once the outside door is bolted, locking the inside doors is both unnecessary and a likely inconvenience.

I'm afraid the network security "expert" reveals in this VERY lengthy article (he could have said what he wanted to say in a very few lines) that his knowledge of how these protocols work, and how they interact, is superficial, to say the least.

[AlwaysUp]

The important point his article makes is that severing Windows default bindings and setting them up in a much more secure fashion is prudent. You sound like you have no respect for the "expert". My take on it is that he is trying to educate also by fully explaining. Sometimes folks who know as much as you don't appreciate "experts".

[rambler]

I have no issue with his intentions, or the OUTCOME of his recommendations. I take issue with his explanation of how it all links together, and what's actually NEEDED for networking security. It reveals a lack of understanding on his part, and leads to the creation of technical myths. SG's website has become a "must visit" place for security issues, and some might say performs a useful function. It's NOT a good place to learn how things work.

In order for someone to educate others, he has to have a good knowlegde of his subject, not necessiarily in depth, but at least in overview. You don't need to know exactly how a tool works to use it, but you do need to know what it's for.

A glaring example - Mr. G. says "The Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) technology included in the Second Edition of Windows 98 provides "Network Address Translation" (NAT) services to hide the IP addresses of your local machines and creates good security all by itself".

No - NAT provides a way for outside machines (webservers) to COMMUNICATE with locally-networked machines, otherwise they'd be inaccessible, hidden behind the IP address of the internet-connected PC.

You don't NEED to hide the IP addresses of those machines, because without NAT, they ARE inaccessible. It follows that any reconfiguring or unbinding of services and protocols on the internal PCs for "security reasons" iis a complete waste of time.

[warren_wade]

Hi, advice me please what best wireless solution for two home PCs with 100mb Ethernet cards ?

[glc]

Warren, please repost in a new thread, and provide some more details.

[AlwaysUp]

Rambler, I have looked for that line you quoted from the GRC site and cannot find it. What Win98SE's ICS DID bring to the table was DHCP services which does hide all but the host machine's IP address.

[steve_civic]

im having trouble connecting 2 comps...i bought cross-over cable. i ran the wizard but i still cant see the other computer. The other computer is sending packets but not recieving...my computer is sending and recieving..both have 10/100 ethernet..my computer is onboard 10/100 does that matter (asus a7v8x motherboard)

[AlwaysUp]

It won't matter that your ethernet adapter is onboard. What OS's are you running on these machines? Are both machines in the same workgroup? Unique machine names? I never run the wizard, just configure manually, so I don't know if both of these last are covered when running the wizard or not. In My Network places, do you see the other machine?

[deltaorion]

I thank you and could not agree with you more. That said, here is a bit of perspective from such a newbie. I did some research. But, what I found made everything seem as simple as plugging in a toaster, and making toast. Also, if a person was running XP on both machines, everything was made to sound "automatic" (ref toaster). Like many others out there, we found that our early attempts research and creating a network simply were not working. Frustrated? You bet! Especially after you followed step, by step, someone's procedure for setting up a network, and not seeing it come anywhere near working. So much for "research". But, like a miner looking for gold. Not every pan of gravel will contain that long-sought nugget. This site is that nugget of gold. Or should I say, an entire vein of gold -- no more looking required. In closing, I feel I have "finally" found what I have been looking for: Someone (or group of folks) who seem to know what is really going on and has the information to back it up. At the risk of repeating myself, I do agree with the writer . . . I just wish I had found this place sooner. Now, to read some really rich postings here . . . .

[apollo]

Originally Posted by Floppyman Indeed, I agree. Here's a great site to check out for home networking: http://www.homenethelp.com/

Note to all networking noobs (including me): this site was extremely helpful! The tutorials are easy to follow. I got all 3 of my rigs networked via a D-Link DI-704UP broadband router in about 30 mins. Check it out I'm sure the others are helpful as well, this one was just first in the thread. Thanks for the link Floppyman!

[Lappy]

finally a website forum that is full of geeky techs like me
nice website guys
glad to be here among fellow comp and net techs
CDM Home & Office Computing
my business
old timer here im 42