IT Queries: Computer problems answered

I have set up a home Network with my 2 Desktop Computers. Both running Windows XP Home. Desktop 1 is hardwired from the isp modem through to the D-link Wireless Router (and works fine). Desktop 2 has a Broadcom Wireless Card installed (Drivers installed by “Found New Hardware”) and I have run the networking setup (several times now) and have set up the network…..

If i go into Properties the connection has numbers beside a Physical address, IP Address and Subnet Mask but nothing beside Default Gateway, DNS Server or WINS Server. I have no idea what these are or how I get numbers beside them. Any help would be greatly appreciated.Thanks Paul

The clue to the problem lies with those missing numbers beside Default Gateway and DNS Servers. The DNS server translates addresses from human friendly names to computer names, without the DNS settings the computer can’t see anything on the Internet. The Default Gateway tells the computer what the router’s address is.

The first thing to check is the Internet Protocol settings for the wireless router is set to Automatic. In the properties, change the setting to Automatic. This means the settings should be given to computer by the router.

If that doesn’t work it may be the router’s hasn’t been set up properly. Copy the settings from the other working computer. The IP address should be different in the last three digits, eg; if the wired computer has an IP address of 192.168.0.100 then the wireless one should be 192.168.0.101.

If this doesn’t work then there may be further security settings set on the router. You’ll have to consult the manual to ensure features like Mac Address Filtering haven’t been enabled.

Wireless networks are notoriously touchy and can be a pain to set up. You may need a computer tech to evaluate whether a wireless network is appropriate for your location.

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