How to set up a belkin network with wired and wireless computers running windows

[Redcatcher]

Hello,
Its funny how many of these Network questions are basically the same but with different twists. My situation is that I have one PC and 2 laptops all running windows 7, but I can't seem to get them to see each other on the Network or share files. My desktop is wired to a sat modem for internet connectivity and also wired to a Belkin N1 Wireless Router. My 2 wireless laptops connect to the internet via the wireless router and work fine. The Belkin Router can see all the computers. Problem is that the PC (connected via wire to the router) does not see the 2 laptops-so I can't share files between the PC and the laptops -which is what I want to do. I have tried various "Homegroup" configurations on the PC,but none of them seem to do the trick. The PC only sees itself in the "Homegroups". Can anyone help? Thanks!!

 

[Emerald]

have you tried to disable the firewall on the wired computer?

 

[Redcatcher]

Yes - I am Using Norton and disabled the Firewall. It didn't make a difference. The "Network Map" in windows 7 networking still only shows the Wired computer, the laptops are not visible. Interestingly, the 2 laptops see each other! The Wired PC (also running windows 7) is the only one out of the loop right now.

 

[Saga Lout]

Moderator Mr. Face has put an excellent W7 networking post up as a Sticky at the top of this sub Forum page which will almost certainly help you.

Opinions will vary on this but for me, the Homegroup is too restrictive and I would recommend the "proper" traditional networking option which is available further down the page in the Network and Sharing Centre. Furthemore, I would untick the password requirement - in normal domestic situations it's hardly ever necessary.

I've noticed that the Computer Browser Service doesn't run as frequently in W7 as it did in XP so any settings you change might need a twenty minute wait to cut in before you decide you got them wrong and change them again..

Before W7 is ready for commercial networking situations, a lot of things need smoothing out in Service Pack 1 but there's no sign of that happening at the moment. XP will remain king until 2012 at least.

 

[dEAne]

Example if the Desktop PC (using wireless) uses a SSID HomeOne and the two laptop are using this too then it can see each other.

If the Desktop PC is wire to the same Belkin router that is used to connect the two laptops (wireless) then it can see each other.

 

[Redcatcher]

Example if the Desktop PC (using wireless) uses a SSID HomeOne and the two laptop are using this too then it can see each other.

If the Desktop PC is wire to the same Belkin router that is used to connect the two laptops (wireless) then it can see each other.

That does make sense - the two laptops that can see each other are using the same SSID -which is the same as the router's. The wired PC (wired into the same router that the wireless laptops are connected to) has a different one (if SSID is the same as the Network Name visible unser "View Your Active Networks" in Windows 7). I assume that my problem would be solved if I could figure out how to change the SSID of the wired PC (this doesn't apperar to be straightforward either).

Don't know if it matters, but I've read that in order to network Windows 7, the router has to be IPv6 capable? -When I checked my router settings in the router manager, I see it has an IPv4 connection and the IPv6 says not connected. I haven't stepped through Mr. Face's sticky yet, but will try that today also. Thanks!

 

[Redcatcher]

Well I tried Mr Face's procedure and WAS able to change the name of the Worgroup to be the same for the laptops and the PC (the PC workgroup name was different, so I changed the laptop workgroup names to match). That still didn't help though - the wired PC still does not see the laptops. I think it must either be the fact that the SSID for my Wired PC is different from the 2 laptops, and or, it may have something to do with the IPv issue. Currently working to see how the SSID (network name) can be changed for the wired PC.

 

[Saga Lout]

Currently working to see how the SSID (network name) can be changed for the wired PC.

There's plenty of detail on how to change the SSID and other settings inPost #3 in this thread http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/28102-18-suppoort-setupwirless

There's only one oplace to make that change and it isn't in any of the computers - it's in the router only.

 

[Redcatcher]

I believe I'll have to go another route on this one (as in buy a new router). My Belkin is an F5D8231-4 (N1 with 3 Antennae) and it may not allow some of this capability. I've read that there may be a need to "bridge" the wireless and wired computers and the Belkin doesn't mention "bridging" as a capability. I may go Linksys next time.

Here is the status I'm leaving it with as I go for a new Router:

1) Under "DHCP Client List" in the Belkin management page, all 2 computers are recognized with an IP address, Host name and MAC address. The two wireless computers can connect to the internet via the router and see each other and the router, but not the wired computer.

2) In the Networking tab of Windows 7 on the wireless computers, the "Home Network Name" is the same as the Router's default SSID.

3) In the wired computer the Home network name is "Home network"

4) Wired computer firewall is off, all windows 7 settings are set to "Discoverable"

Thanks for the help thus far!

 

[Redcatcher]

Meant to say that all 3 computers are recognized in the Belkin Router's management page with an IP address, Host name and MAC address.. -Thanks

 

[Saga Lout]

Meant to say that all 3 computers are recognized in the Belkin Router's management page with an IP address, Host name and MAC address.. -Thanks

If one machine's wireless adapter can't support Wireless N, go into the Belkin's settings and step it down to G or B/G Mixed. I doubt you'll notice any difference except that all three wil be able to connect.

 

[Redcatcher]

Thanks for the note - Yes, I disabled the firewall of the Wired PC. The 2 wireless laptops that can see each other are on the same network called "Belkin_(followed bu some alpha-numerics)". The Wired computer network is just called "Home Network" I'm getting these network names from the "View you active networks" section of the Windows 7 "Network and Sharing Center" tab. The wired computer doesnt see the wireless units and they can't see it.


WIRED PC
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\mifflin>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : MainPC
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : Belkin

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 2:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : TAP-Win32 Adapter V9
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-FF-8A-BB-4B-D5
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : Belkin
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-25-11-54-02-69
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::40d1:ba9b:7347:4c9f%11(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, December 20, 2010 7:31:10 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, December 18, 2019 7:31:10 PM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 184558865
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-12-25-B2-53-00-25-11-54-02-69

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
66.82.4.8
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter isatap.Belkin:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : Belkin
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 2001:0:4137:9e76:3877:d8e6:bcd3:c9fa(Pref
erred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::3877:d8e6:bcd3:c9fa%13(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : ::
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter isatap.{8ABB4BD5-D313-4F17-AC2E-932379FFF56F}:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #2
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

WIRELESS #1
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\mifflin>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BunkerOne
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : Belkin

Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 78-E4-00-F1-BB-B7
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Wireless LAN adapter Network:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : Belkin
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 78-E4-00-F1-BB-B7
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::5cb0:e9f2:6f0e:856%13(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.4(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, December 20, 2010 8:27:02 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, December 18, 2019 8:27:02 PM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 427353088
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-13-9C-D5-DA-88-AE-1D-0E-47-EC

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
66.82.4.8
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Gigabit Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 88-AE-1D-0E-47-EC
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter isatap.Belkin:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : Belkin
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter isatap.{9FA0C1E7-4A60-4110-B98B-CABE345A4E2E}:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #2
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 2001:0:417d:4:76:192:3f57:fdfb(Preferred)

Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::76:192:3f57:fdfb%12(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : ::
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter isatap.{205253D9-B0F2-46BE-B8C1-00D0A94B7D06}:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #3
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

WIRELESS #2
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\mifflin>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Minime
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : Belkin

Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection 2:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : CE-46-19-54-6D-48
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : Belkin
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Atheros AR5B95 Wireless Network Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : C4-46-19-54-6D-48
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::68b2:f43:ca18:2d3b%12(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.3(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, December 20, 2010 9:13:07 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, December 18, 2019 9:13:07 PM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 398738969
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-13-E8-B0-1B-88-AE-1D-6B-3A-46

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
66.82.4.8
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Atheros AR8152 PCI-E Fast Ethernet Contro
ller (NDIS 6.20)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 88-AE-1D-6B-3A-46
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter isatap.Belkin:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : Belkin
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #2
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 2001:0:4131:4:ca:a2e:3f57:fdfc(Preferred)

Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::ca:a2e:3f57:fdfc%13(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : ::
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

 

[Redcatcher]

I finally resolved this problem by “cheating” of sorts. No matter what I tried, I could never get the wired PC to see the two wireless laptops over the Network (or vice-versa). As a last resort, I plugged a Belkin USB Network Adapter into the wired PC, essentially making it wireless. I then removed the cable that ran from the PC to the Router. The only cable left running to the router was the input from the Satellite Modem. Now all of the computers see each other and share files over the Network –even Windows 7 HomeGroup works now. I’d call that a backdoor success! Thanks to all who posted their advice for me – it was much appreciated.

 

[Saga Lout]

I suppose you know I'm going to lie awake all night trying to work out how that made a difference.

 

[Redcatcher]

Ha ha - and when you finally do figure it out - please DO let me know! -Cheers.

 

[larryd469]

Actually, through my years of experience, just uninstall norton and problem fixed!!!!!!