BleepingComputer.com: Networkin Windows XP

Hello,
I have 6 computers running XP and 2000 all conected with wire using 8port linksys workgroup switch,Model #EZXS88W all computres can see all computers perfectly just cant connect to internet.

It is a requirement that my internet protocol Properties be set manually as 192.168.7.XXX and it is so on all the machines, but I dont know how to setup the switch to let me get the internet.

I did a test on this machine I am working now and set the IPP to obtain an IP address automaticly then I am able to connect to internet but cant see any other comp nor any other comp can see this one.

Ip config all

hostname .....white
primary DNS Suffix...(blank)
Node type...broadcast
IP routing enabled...No
Wins Proxy enabled...No


Ethernet adaptor local area connection

Connection specifix DNS suffix...blank
description...intel pro/100 VE network connection
on
physical address...00-11-11C8-9C-A8
Dhcp Enabled...No
Ip Ad...192.168.7.15
Subnet mask...255.255.255.0
Default Gateway...blank

What other information is needed ?

I will provide any thing needed ASAP Because I need to have this fixed, in fact part of my business is bassed on that, I an not 100% shut down but its a major inconveniece.

Thank you all
Rick

This post has been edited by studio55: 10 December 2009 - 12:24 PM

How are you connected to the internet? cable? DSL?

You need a router. Your ISP provides you with one IP address, either static(its always the same and you pay extra) or dynamic(it can change but is included in the standard monthly charges), when you set one of the PCs to obtain IP automatically it gets the IP address from the ISP and is able to surf. But none of the others get it and their IPs are in the same network(192.168.7.xxx) hence they can't surf nor can the one that can surf see the other PCs but they see each other.

A router solves this issue. You connect your ISP modem to the router then connect the router to the switch then connect PCs to the router's other 3 ports(4 ports are normal but they make 1 port routers I am sure) or to the switch. The the router gets the IP address from your ISP and if you set all the PCs to obtain IP automatically, they will all get an IP address that is in the same network and they will all be able to surf.

What brand router is up to you. They are all about the same. The only real difference is wireless or not. Even if you don't need wireless now I'd advise getting a wireless router. Its easy to disable the wireless until you need it and just as easy to secure it once you do.

Thank you for your reply,

I have mentioned on my post, it is a requirement for 3 of my machines which are "kodak" photo printer (lab printer) and Kodak order Kiosk to be set "Manually at 192.168.7.XXX" and they can not be set to obtain IP address Automatically, Nor they need to have access to internet (This later issue was not mentioned in my original post, I don't think it matters)

The other 3 machines are regular PCS that need to have access to internet and need to communicate with all of the computers including the Kodak Photo Printer and Kodak Kiosks and I don't care if I have to set up the IP addresses automatically or manually, as long as they can see all the Machines and get on internet.

I do have a wired Eatherfast Cable/DSL router by linksys model BEFSR81 and my computers were connected to it working fine, Lately I had to fiddle with it and turn it on and off for 20 or 30 minutes and reboot the machines constantly to make it start working and I also have a switch that was set up so, conected to the router, that if I had additional machines I could simply plug into the switch and surf and access other machines.

So when this started I eliminated the router and only used the switch. After your post I reconnected all the comps to the router and same thing still applies, I either can see all the comps when I set it to manually obtain IP address or I can surf the net when I set any of the three comps to obtain the IP addresses automatically. Is my router acting up now? How can I test it ? . I am confused as hell and can't afford to hire a network specialist.

Thank you
Rick

This post has been edited by studio55: 11 December 2009 - 09:12 PM

This is an easy fix. The Linksys you currently have will not allow you to change the IP address from 192.168.1.xxx. So yea the one PC will get on there but if the rest is set to 7.xxx its not going to see them.

I have a Belkin. It allows me to change my IP addess from the default 192.168.2.1 to anything I want.

So my advice would be to buy a Belkin router and set it up with the IP address of 192.168.7.1. Then set all the IP addresses to 192.168.7.X where X is greater than 1.

There are other routers out there that will allow you to do the same thing but I don't know them. I know my Belkin does it.

Thank you for your response,

This is not a new set up and the same hadware has been configured and working perfectly for a few years now, it just started acting up, so I stated changing stuff here and there and now its not 100%.

Any other sugestions ?

Thank you
Rick

Well electronics don't last forever. Rebooting the router and PCs to get it all to work means something is breaking down.

You could try updating the routers firmware, this site has the link you need. You just need to pick what version number you have. Some have instructions on how to upgrade. But buying a new router is a fairly cheap if the firmware doesn't work.

If someone else reading has a different approach or suggestion(s) please feel free to post.

The Linksys BEFSR81 is and was a very good router but with age they do start to exhibit the symptoms you are talking about. The only time I've ever gotten one to work properly after the same symptoms, was to update the firmware and that only lasted for a few weeks.

As CaveDweller2 said, it would probably be in your best interest to replace your router.

Rebooting the router and having it work for a little while then stop working, is a sign of overheating. The Broadcom chip in those routers is a little more sensitive to heat than the newer Broadcom chips. An easy test would be to reboot the router as you have in the past and leave it sit as you have for 20 to 30 minutes. Plug it back in and wait till it quits working. When it does, feel the top and bottom of the router. It will probably be quite hot. If it is, you've most likely found your problem.

Hope this helps,