cable modem, 5 port ethernet switch, an airport, and a wired pc

[nakedtao]

i looked around and didn't see this covered anywhere else.

i have high speed cable internet and i'm trying to set up a pc to be wired in and a macbook to use the airport.

have the cable modem connected to the switch and switch connected directly to an old dell running xp sp2 and switch also connected to an airport for wireless.

i want the dell wired directly in so as to have a better, uninterrupted connection for streaming video and music while the mac can go wireless as its just for mindless surfing

the way its set up i only seem to be able to get one or the other to connect. if wireless is going, "there's limited or no connectivity". if the dell is flowing at 100mbps the airport flashes amber (no connection)

i've tried messing with the order i power everything on, gone through troubleshooting and even changed which device is plugged into which port and everytime, whichever conencts first is good but doesn't seem to share with the other device.

HELP

 

[edfair]

Off the cable modem you need a router to be the cop directing traffic. It would assign street addresses which are needed to get your traffic from and to the right place.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.