need help with wireless networking

Question

I have a Dell diminsion desktop computer running Windows XP Home Edition, and a Dell inspiron E1505 laptop running Windows XP Media Center Edition.  I can connect to the Internet using a DSL connection. However, I cannot share files, or printer.  I have enabled file and printer sharing. I don't know what the problem is.  I don't think the computers are able to communicate with each other.  Please help!  If there is other information that I should add please let me know.

TadN · Answer

I'm not sure how familiar you are with networking, so lets start with the basics.

First, I recommend you look into the network basics section from Dell. I love documents with examples, this one is pretty good.

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/support/product_support/en/wireless_solutions?c=us&l=en&s=gen

Next,

log in to both computers and hit the start button and the run command. You'll get a popup and type " cmd" into this. This should launch a black DOS screen. You'll want to type ipconfig and hit enter on each system.

You should then see something like:

C:\>ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration . . . . . . . :

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : us.dell.com
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.2

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 143.166.54.1

C:\>

You're interested in the bold part. SO lets assume your laptop shows 192.168.1.101 and your desktop shows 192.168.1.102 you can then test if they can see each other via the ping command:

from your desktop you'll want to type ping and the ip of your laptop. example below:

C:\>ping 192.168.1.101

Pinging 192.168.1.101 with 32 bytes of data:

Request timed out.

This means your laptop cannot be found

or

C:\>ping 192.168.1.101

Pinging 192.168.1.101 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 192.168.1.101 : bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=248

this emans the two PC's can talk.

Depending on this test we can decide if its a security issue in windows or a network item (which the first link can help with)

Good Luck!

Faisal123 · Answer

i got 2 dell laptops inspiron 1300 and 6400 i want to get wireless internet on both of them, i got a D-Link Dl-524 modem router, i also got ntl broadband but it seems not to be working is there anything else i need?

TadN · Answer

So you've got one of these: http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=316   It is b/g compatible so thats good.   lets check your wireless settings on each laptop do the following: start button -> run -> type cmd ( a black dos screen should popup ) then ipconfig /all >>dcfconfig.txt then enter then type dcfconfig.txt and hit enter again notepad should popup with your results.  Please post them onto this thread.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

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