Cannot Get Desktop Into Network Settings

I will start this from the beginning. I had a regular desktop computer (very old) running on Windows 98. I set up a home network when I added on a laptop with Windows XP. Everything was running fine for a long time, then all of a sudden I couldn't print from the laptop. The printer is set up directly to the desktop and I print to that from the laptop. It would usually fix itself if I restarted both computers.

I just added another laptop to the network. It's a brand new Dell laptop also running on Windows XP. I originally set it up last week and everything seemed to be running smoothly. I was even printing from the new laptop to the printer connected to the desktop.

All of a sudden. . it stopped printing again and restarting the computers does not help. I can reset the old laptop to print by looking for the printer on the desktop, but the new laptop does not show anything related to the desktop computer. It's like it's not reading the desktop at all.

I tried rerunning the network wizard. . it shows my old laptop files. . but again, nothing to do with the desktop. I don't know what to do from here. I'm probably leaving out some important information that you need, so please let me know.

thank you.

 

What kind of connection method do you use? Wired or wireless?

 

I use wireless. . . the old laptop has an exterior wireless card that I installed. . .it's a linksys. . . the new laptop has an internal wireless already built in.

 

That is the possible problem. I have that experience for about a year.

Because your new laptop should have Ethernet port, you can try to use wire to connect to the router and to see what will happen.

Yes, noboday can believe it include me.

Usually, win98 in wireless network has some trouble.

If I am wrong, please let me know, it is very important for me. A couple of my customers have the same situation with you. With my suggestion, the problem was solved.

 

You'll have to be a little more specific. . I'm not really good with this hardware stuff. . my brother in law usually takes care of it for me. . but he's out of town.

Wire to connect to router???

 

Also. . the laptop has to stay wireless. . I can't leave it in one room connected by any kind of cable. . so I hope that isn't what you meant. Should I just unhook the old laptop? I wouldn't think I should have to. .but I guess I could if that's my only choice.

 

Sorry for my unclear answers.

I just want you to do the test to see if my idea is correct.

If it is correct, then we can talk it further.

If it is incorrect. Maybe someone else can help you.

Yes, you can unhook the old laptop, and hook it to the new one. again ,just for test.

 

Maybe this thread can give you some clues to discover some radio noise around your house if it is a possible reason.

http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=55860

 

I don't have a problem testing anything . . I just still need step by step instructions on what to do. I still don't know what you meant by the test!

 

Ok, I try my best to list what you should to do for the test.

From this Should I just unhook the old laptop? you posted before, I guess your old laptop uses the cable to connect to the router.

If so, unplug the cable from the old laptop and plug it into your new laptop, then try to print stuff in your new laptop.

There is only one hole can fit the cable in your new laptop. So do not worry about putting it to wrong place.

 

Do you mean you want to know what is the purpose by the test?

The test is about to make sure if there is a problem in you wireless network.

 

Basically, we want you to connect your laptop to the router using a physical connection (wired using an ethernet cable) instead of wireless. If your printer works using a cable connection, we know it is a problem with the wireless connection. If it doesn't, then we still have figure out the problem.

Your router should have a place to attach an ethernet cable, as should your laptop. Windows XP should automatically connect to the router when the cable is connected.

 

Thanks raingirlIT.

I am about to go to work and probably back here in 30 minutes.

 

Everything is wireless. . .I carry the old laptop around the house . . so there are no cables attached to it.

 

I can try to find a cable and try it later. . .not sure if I have the cable. .

The printer was printing just yesterday. . . thru wireless. . . it just stopped and now I can't download it back on.

 

Sorry back late.

If you don't have cable on hand, you can try move the new laptop close to the router.(I think you have tried that, just make sure)

A lot of people claim this: All of the sudden, the system does not work without change anything.

I guess probaly some radio noise interferes your area at that time. Maybe the interference just started from yesterday, mabye , who knows.

So, better to test by cable connection.

If this case is because of radio noise or something like that, you have to use cable in the future.

 

I will try this when I get home and let you know if I have any success. I'm not expecting any great results.

 

This is what happened last night: I discovered a Dell Network Assistant on my new laptop. I ran it, but it didn't seem to help with reading the Desktop Server.

I then brought the laptop into the room with the Desktop Server and tried to find the printer. . which it actually worked this time. I was able to print and things seemed fine.

This morning it wouldn't find the printer again. So I brought the laptop to the same room as the server and I could hook up to the printer again.

Could this be a distance thing? Or could it be interference? One thing I didn't mention yesterday. . .when I was trying to get the network/printer to work, I somehow got connected to my downstairs neighbor's computer. I could see her files! Could this have anything to do with it? How do you stop the computer from getting into someone elses files and vise versa??

 

when I was trying to get the network/printer to work, I somehow got connected to my downstairs neighbor's computer. I could see her files! Could this have anything to do with it? How do you stop the computer from getting into someone elses files and vise versa??

This infomation is crucial.

Setup wireless password(wep or wpa or whatelse depends on your linksys model) on your Linksys Router.(you can call linksys to get help or put your linksys router model here)

On your Dell laptop side, force it connect to your linksys router by selecting your router from the wireless network list.

TonyT's post may help you work on your laptop side
http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=56232