VPN/non VPN network problem

I have 2 XP computers, both professional on a home network. Have a Netgear wireless/wired router. 1 PC is wired; 1 is on wireless. When the wireless machine is connected via VPN to my office, the wired computer can see the wireless computer, PING by IP and name. When I disconnect the wireless machine from VPN, the wired machine cannot see nor PING the wireless machine (all attempts Time Out). Verified incoming IP addresses are the same (i.e. - VPN is not coming in with another address).

I have updated LMHOSTs file on both machines, disabled S/W firewalls on both machines and tested, verified that ICS firewall is disabled on both machines, shutdown all startup programs that did appear to be required and tested, verified there are no abnormal system events on either machine - whether connected to VPN or not.

Not sure what to even look at from here and would appreciate any advice anyone can lend.

 

That's the opposite to what I'd expect. The only simple thing I can think of is that the wired PC is connected to your office via VPN too. If this is the case when the wireless PC is connected via VPN, you are effectively connecting to the wired pc (and visa versa) via the company network. When you disconnect from the VPN, the VPN client on the wired PC will prevent you connecting directly.

 

Tried out what you idnicated. I have outlook on both machines setup to access work email server, if connected to VPN. Connected wireless to VPN, the tried to access Outlook and our IM program both failed.

Not sure if that was valid test or not, really.

Also had tried a Traceroute and Pathping when conencted, Both went straight to the local machine address and did not show any hops outside the local network, although I'm not sure if they're supposed to or not. From that I had assummd it was not going over the work network.

 

This will not necessarily tell you much. Once the PCs learn that they are connected "inside" a router the packets probably don't need to go anywhere else, even with VPN. Unseen with these tools are other processes that decide what needs to be done. Also, the local machine address is not the same as the VPN address used. When you connect to the VPN another address is assigned, in addition to the local address.

DRD

 

How do I go about finding out what the address is? When I test with VPN off (when it fails) I don;t see anyhting in the firewall logs indicating another address. Shutting the firewalls off does not allow PINGing to work either.

 

With XP, IPCONFIG should show you the VPN assigned address when connected to it. Open the command prompt to run this, not just from Run.

Also, try IPCONFIG /ALL for more information.

DRD

 

I've done that - under VPN or not under VPN it always the address is always 192,168.0.5. The only difference i see when I do an IPCONFIG /all is that when I'm signed into VPN, it also lists 2 DNS and 2 WINS servers, that I believe are my company's - they are 148.x.x.x addresses.

I really thought this would be the reverse - unable to access the local network when ON VPN.

 

Can you confirm that when BOTH computers are disconnected from the VPN (that is you do a IPCONFIG /ALL on both computers they both return settings without the 148.x.x.x DNS and WINS) that they cannot connect locally? If one is still connected, it will prevent the other connecting locally.