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14485
May 17th, 2005 17:00
printer/file sharing with wireless router/modem
I have recently purchased a Belkin ADSL modem with a built in wireless G router. for the first four weeks I was able to access the internet wirelessly from both my laptop and desktop computer. I was also able to file share and printer share ( printer share through the desktop as printer hardwired to desktop).
Recently I have been losing the connection to the internet. When contacting belkin all they seem to do is change various internet settings. They have also informed me that any third party firewalls including my windows XP SP2 firewall is causing the problem, and that I should disable any firewalls i have installed.
My internet connection now seems fine, but I have now lost the file/printer sharing facility between my laptop and desktop computer. I have run the wireless network wizard on both computers. The network key (WPA / WEP ) is the same on both computers. When running the wizard do i need to insert the windows XP Cd at any point.
After all this, my question is;
Does anyone know if the windows firewall will affect wireless networking?
If so, is my network adequatly protected without a firewall. Network is encrypted (64bit WEP)
How do I start a new file sharing network. I didnt seem to have any problems setting up the previous one
Desktop - Dell Dimension 4600 with Belkin USB Wireless G USB Adapter
Windows XP
SP2
Laptop - Dell inspiron 510m with built in wirless network card
Windows XP
SP2
Many thanks for any help
Mark
ctalia4000
2 Intern
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1.3K Posts
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May 17th, 2005 22:00
Hi M.ewbanks
I would not give up your firewall. You may want to try free Zone Alarm. Windows firewall only blocked traffic in one direction.
volcano11
2 Intern
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28K Posts
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May 18th, 2005 01:00
M.ewbanks,
Do the wireless network cards see the wireless networks? Are you getting an IP address in the range of 192.168.2.xxx on each of the wireless network cards? Have you tried connecting to the router using a wired ethernet connection, just as a troubleshooting step. If you can connect to the internet through the router with a wired connection, it would eliminate some software problems as being responsible. Have you tried completely resetting the network by turning off the modem, turninf off the router and turning off the computers, waiting about 5 minutes, then turning on the modem, waiting another 5 minutes, then turning on the router and finally turning on the computes?
Note that the Windows firewall in SP2 should not block internet access, but it will block local file sharing unless the box on the firewall exceptions tab next to File and Printer Sharing is checked.
Steve
m.ewbank
16 Posts
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May 18th, 2005 16:00
I have no problem connecting to the internet, on either the laptop or the desktop at the moment, I just am unable to file share. Do i need to insert the windows XP CD at any point whilst setting up the network
regards
mark
volcano11
2 Intern
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28K Posts
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May 18th, 2005 17:00
The most common reason that file (and printer) sharing doesn't work is due to improperly configured firewalls. On any computer running Windows XP with SP1, disable the Windows XP firewall. It will not allow File and Printer Sharing. On computers running Windows XP with SP2, make sure that the Windows XP firewall has File and Printer Sharing checked off on the Exceptions tab. If you are running any third party firewalls, like those provided by such programs as Zone Alarm, Norton Internet Security, or McAfee Security Center, make sure they are configured to allow local network traffic.
Steve
m.ewbank
16 Posts
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May 18th, 2005 20:00
volcano11
2 Intern
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28K Posts
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May 19th, 2005 00:00
Just to make sure, which firewalls do you have?
Steve
m.ewbank
16 Posts
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May 21st, 2005 10:00