networking in home network

[happykappy]

I have 2 PCs with XP Pro using Dell Optiflex 170L connected thru 8 port switch. They do not have internet access but just networked together and have been for several years. Suddenly the network stopped working. I checked device manager and both appeared to be ok. I changed cables and still no connection. I powered the switch on off. I setup an IP address on both PCs and still no connectivity. The PCs were rebooted in between changes. The drivers appeared to be the same, but I will delete them and reinstall them again. I will change the switch box.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[guitarzan]

Have you tried pinging one workstation from the other by IP address? Also, check your firewall settings, make sure that "file and print sharing" is enabled.

 

[linney]

Could the 8 port switch be faulty, it wouldn't be the first time that a switch has failed?

Do you have a Crossover cable that you can connect and check for a faulty switch?

Have you tried the connection from "Safe Mode with Networking"?

WinXP Connectivity Issues
faq779-4625

 

[edfair]

Take a look at ipreset using the net sh command. Also the winsock repair, both documented on MS KB pages.

A quick look at the telltale lights on the NICs and the switch should at least let you know that the patch cables are good.

With the firewall disabled you should see light activity attempting to ping across the switch.

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

 

[gavm99]

I think Linney is right - sounds like a failed switch to me.

Gavin Moorhouse

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[Sympology]

Before seeing if you can connect to another pc, see if it can connect to itself.
1st ping itself if ok
Then try direct connection to self e.g \\192.1.1.1
if that's ok
The try \\Mycomputername if ok
The try browsing to it via Net neighbourhood
then try the same but to the other computer.

A link light on a NIC means nothing, you can have damaged cable and still get a link light.

As staed above, get a Xover cable and do a direct connection.

Most people spend their time on the "urgent" rather than on the "important."

 

[happykappy]

Thank you all for your response. To bring you all up to date:
Put in a new switch and no connection
did a netsh winsock reset and did not work.
Had the correct catalogs on both PCs.
It was interesting in that I was able to ping only once when I changed the IP address. Since this is non internet connection, I needed to put an ip address initially when I set it up several yrs ago to get it to talk to each other. when I changed the ip address I was able to ping only once and not again. The 2nd PC not able to ping at all.
I have not tried the x-over cable for a direct connection of the 2 PCs since I need to make one.
I am wondering if I need to put a network card in the PC, even though it appears to be ok.
Any other thoughts.

 

[BadBigBen]

I would also look at the cables, if you have not already, and try a new one...

also the suggestion to try a cheapo NIC is not bad, since that way you could tell if it is NIC (PC) or network (everything else but PC) related...

obvious things like same WORKGROUP, IP Range, Subnet, need not be talked about, since I am sure you already checked those...



Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[linney]

Did you ever check from Safe Mode with Networking to see if you can connect.

Pinging has to be set up to be allowed by your firewall if it is to get in and out of the machine.

Microsoft Windows XP SP2 - Installation and Tweaking Guide

http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/6...2_installation_and_tweaking_guide/index3.html

Some anti virus software also has hidden firewalling components.

Have you got any Nvidia network cards or chipsets?
Got Network issues and nForce Chipset...
thread1583-1437402

 

[happykappy]

Thank you all for your posts. I finally resolved the problem. I brought a laptop with me and connected it to the switch to see which if any of the network cards were working. I turns out that neither of them were working. I went to device manager and uninstalled the network drivers on both PCs and let it refresh itself and reinstall the network. That appeared to do the trick. Since I did not install any new drivers a file in registry or system folder probably got corrupted and needed to be refreshed.

 

[linney]

Thanks for the feedback, I am glad you have solved the problem.