Networking External HD

[bzwerlin]

Hi Everyone,
This may seem like a basic question, but I'm not a HW guru at this point in time.

I'd like to add an external drive to my network. However, I'm not sure if using an adapter for USB-->Ethenet would 'actually' work and in essence allow me to have a setup like: HD-->USB port-->USB-to-Ethernet adapter-->Linksys Router--->Network access. I'd like to know if this would be feasible before buying the HW...

For some reason, I am unable to share my PCs on the network any longer. Used to be able to just find, but something changed (no idea what) and I've been messing with it for weeks to no avail. This is my next-best alternative to add a networked HD to share files etc.

Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

Ben

 

[Cindy1]

Is it just you that cant't get into the network? Did you add a new firewall? Do you think that work might have changed passwords? I would think it would be faster to try and get on your server.
Cindy

 

[bzwerlin]

It's very wierd. I can ping all the IPs without fail. But I cannot ping the PC name (e.g. "LaptopPC", etc.). I've redone the workgroup name a few times to make sure it wasn't an issue there. When I try via explorer (as I used to connect a couple months ago) I can see the share, but upon trying to connect it tells me the network path is not found.

I've reviewed and reset the router. Reveiwed tCP/IP settings. and tried just about every approach I can find on the web. Nothing seems to be working. This is my home network, behind a linksys router and BlackIce SW. Both of these have been here since day one.

I'd love to be able to connect the PCs back together, if you know of an excellent (as I've tried most of my normal 'good' sites already) reference/troubleshooting source please do let me know.

Thanks.

Ben

 

[Cindy1]

Are you sure the network card in the laptop is good? What lights do you see on it? Can you ping the router from the laptop. Can you ping the network card? What operating system do you have? Try another pcmcia network card and see if that changes. Keep us updated,
Cindy

 

[bzwerlin]

Hi Cindy,
Thanks for the feedback, but...
Can ping router from laptop, pc, everything
Can ping the cards
Can ping the IPs of each PC from the other PC
Can ping externally (i.e.

http://www.yahoo.com)

from all PC

Everything seems to work fine, except for sharing files. That's why I checked the TCP/IP settings to make sure there weren't any conflicts. Laptop is XP Home, Desktop is Win2K.

I'm wondering if maybe an auto-update from Microsoft changed some settings, but have not found anything on their site of helpful. Other troubleshooter sites have been educational, but haven't solved the problem--according to those guides I've got everything set correctly and the HW is passing the tests as well.

Like I mentioned, wierd. Very wierd.

-Ben

 

[mcall]

as a workaround, try creating ip's in hosts file (<windows>\systems32\drivers\etc\hosts) on each sys. It's text editable file. Create new line for each sys with IP and sys name.

 

[wooglin]

If you're looking for an actual shared external disk - check out ximeta. Can plug in via USB or Ethernet

http://www.ximeta.com/products/netdisk.html

 

[bzwerlin]

All,
Thanks for your prompt advice, I really do appreciate it.

Feeling like an ass I will tell you I came across another thread under the Linksys forum and, in an act of desparation, re-checked my BlackIce settings....

Therin I found the problem--I had limited the range permitted to access one of the PCs. When I reset the linksys router and returned everything to the 192.168.1.100 the app firewall was blocking me.

Again, thanks and I look forward to returning the favor one day.

Ben

 

[Cindy1]

I have BlackIce and love it. I thought it was a firewall issue after all the hardware checks you had done. I wish I had asked you what firewall you had. Oh well hind sight is 20/20. I'm glad you got back on your server that is the quickest and easiest.
Cindy