HELP! Wireless Network Setup

I wish to create a wireless home network from an existing wireless internet
connection. Can somebody please tell me how to do this, as the wizards in
Winows XP seem to be completely irrelevant as to what I wish to do.
--
Sorry if it sounds silly, I''m only 10.

Unless you Internet Connection is based on Cell-Phone, Microwave, or
Satellite Transceiver,...it is *not* wireless. It is Wired. Even with
Microwave or Satellite it is still "wired" between the antenna and the
indoor device and how the PCs actually connect to that indoor device does
not really matter.

You may have a Wireless "router", or maybe a Wireless Access Point (WAP) in
the house,...then your home already has a "wireless LAN", the fact that only
one PC is connected to it doesn't really mean anything. You can connect
many machines to the device over-the-air.


--
Phillip Windell
www.wandtv.com

The views expressed, are my own and not those of my employer, or Microsoft,
or anyone else associated with me, including my cats.
-----------------------------------------------------

"SmartRoss" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:E118CA4E-D664-40DF-ABC6-(E-Mail Removed)...
>I wish to create a wireless home network from an existing wireless internet
> connection. Can somebody please tell me how to do this, as the wizards in
> Winows XP seem to be completely irrelevant as to what I wish to do.
> --
> Sorry if it sounds silly, I''m only 10.

SmartRoss wrote:
> I wish to create a wireless home network from an existing wireless internet
> connection. Can somebody please tell me how to do this, as the wizards in
> Winows XP seem to be completely irrelevant as to what I wish to do.

Assuming that you have a wireless router to which one or more computers
connect in order to access the Internet, just run the Network Setup
Wizard (NOT the Wireless Network Wizard) on each computer.

If you have had specific problems after running the Network Setup
Wizard, please explain, in as much detail as possible, and you're likely
to get more focused help. Otherwise, see this general advice from
MS-MVP Malke:

Run the Network Setup Wizard on both computers, making sure to enable
File & Printer Sharing, and reboot. The only "gotcha" is that this will
turn on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't running a third-party
firewall or have an antivirus with "Internet Worm Protection" (like
Norton 2005/06) which acts as a firewall, then you're fine. If you have
third-party firewall software, configure it to allow the Local Area
Network traffic as trusted. I usually do this with my firewalls with an
IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would
substitute your correct subnet.

If one or more of the computers is XP Pro:

a. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off
Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user
accounts/passwords on all computers.

b. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the
Simple File Sharing enabled.

Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is enabled. This means
that anyone without a user account on the target system can use its
resources. This is a security hole but only you can decide if it
matters in your situation.

Then create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users'
home directories (My Documents) or Program Files, but you can share
folders inside those directories. A better choice is to simply use the
Shared Documents folder.

If that doesn't work for you, here is an excellent network
troubleshooter by MVP Hans-Georg Michna. Take the time to go through it
and it will usually pinpoint the problem area(s) -
http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm

For further info, see any of these:

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/..._protocols.htm
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...ilesharing.htm (Home)
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...ring/index.htm (Pro)

http://www.ezlan.net/index.html

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...g/default.mspx

--
Lem MS MVP -- Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

"Lem" wrote:

> SmartRoss wrote:
> > I wish to create a wireless home network from an existing wireless internet
> > connection. Can somebody please tell me how to do this, as the wizards in
> > Winows XP seem to be completely irrelevant as to what I wish to do.
>
> Assuming that you have a wireless router to which one or more computers
> connect in order to access the Internet, just run the Network Setup
> Wizard (NOT the Wireless Network Wizard) on each computer.
>
> If you have had specific problems after running the Network Setup
> Wizard, please explain, in as much detail as possible, and you're likely
> to get more focused help. Otherwise, see this general advice from
> MS-MVP Malke:
>
> Run the Network Setup Wizard on both computers, making sure to enable
> File & Printer Sharing, and reboot. The only "gotcha" is that this will
> turn on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't running a third-party
> firewall or have an antivirus with "Internet Worm Protection" (like
> Norton 2005/06) which acts as a firewall, then you're fine. If you have
> third-party firewall software, configure it to allow the Local Area
> Network traffic as trusted. I usually do this with my firewalls with an
> IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would
> substitute your correct subnet.
>
> If one or more of the computers is XP Pro:
>
> a. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off
> Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user
> accounts/passwords on all computers.
>
> b. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the
> Simple File Sharing enabled.
>
> Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is enabled. This means
> that anyone without a user account on the target system can use its
> resources. This is a security hole but only you can decide if it
> matters in your situation.
>
> Then create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users'
> home directories (My Documents) or Program Files, but you can share
> folders inside those directories. A better choice is to simply use the
> Shared Documents folder.
>
> If that doesn't work for you, here is an excellent network
> troubleshooter by MVP Hans-Georg Michna. Take the time to go through it
> and it will usually pinpoint the problem area(s) -
> http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm
>
> For further info, see any of these:
>
> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/..._protocols.htm
> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...ilesharing.htm (Home)
> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...ring/index.htm (Pro)
>
> http://www.ezlan.net/index.html
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...g/default.mspx
>
> --
> Lem MS MVP -- Networking
>
> To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
>

I have already run the Network Setup Wizard on both computers and only one
has detected a network and thus has allowed me to share files, but neither of
them are connecting.

"SmartRoss" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:AEC4B6D1-0C9F-4412-AC19-(E-Mail Removed)...

> I have already run the Network Setup Wizard on both computers and only one
> has detected a network and thus has allowed me to share files, but neither
> of
> them are connecting.

I don't think I have ever run the Network Setup Wizard in my life. If the
Wireless nics are installed, the software for it is install,..and
working,..then you just have it scan for available networks,...choose the
one you want from the list,...and connect to it. Once that is done that is
the end of wireless networking. Whatever happens after that or fails to
happen after that has ntohing to do with wireless networking. File sharing
and printer sharing are a whole other matter and the process for making them
work is identical no matter if you are connected wirelessly or wired.


--
Phillip Windell
www.wandtv.com

The views expressed, are my own and not those of my employer, or Microsoft,
or anyone else associated with me, including my cats.
-----------------------------------------------------

SmartRoss wrote:
>
> "Lem" wrote:
>
>> SmartRoss wrote:
>>> I wish to create a wireless home network from an existing wireless internet
>>> connection. Can somebody please tell me how to do this, as the wizards in
>>> Winows XP seem to be completely irrelevant as to what I wish to do.
>> Assuming that you have a wireless router to which one or more computers
>> connect in order to access the Internet, just run the Network Setup
>> Wizard (NOT the Wireless Network Wizard) on each computer.
>>
>> If you have had specific problems after running the Network Setup
>> Wizard, please explain, in as much detail as possible, and you're likely
>> to get more focused help. Otherwise, see this general advice from
>> MS-MVP Malke:
>>
>> Run the Network Setup Wizard on both computers, making sure to enable
>> File & Printer Sharing, and reboot. The only "gotcha" is that this will
>> turn on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't running a third-party
>> firewall or have an antivirus with "Internet Worm Protection" (like
>> Norton 2005/06) which acts as a firewall, then you're fine. If you have
>> third-party firewall software, configure it to allow the Local Area
>> Network traffic as trusted. I usually do this with my firewalls with an
>> IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would
>> substitute your correct subnet.
>>
>> If one or more of the computers is XP Pro:
>>
>> a. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off
>> Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user
>> accounts/passwords on all computers.
>>
>> b. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the
>> Simple File Sharing enabled.
>>
>> Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is enabled. This means
>> that anyone without a user account on the target system can use its
>> resources. This is a security hole but only you can decide if it
>> matters in your situation.
>>
>> Then create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users'
>> home directories (My Documents) or Program Files, but you can share
>> folders inside those directories. A better choice is to simply use the
>> Shared Documents folder.
>>
>> If that doesn't work for you, here is an excellent network
>> troubleshooter by MVP Hans-Georg Michna. Take the time to go through it
>> and it will usually pinpoint the problem area(s) -
>> http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm
>>
>> For further info, see any of these:
>>
>> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
>> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/..._protocols.htm
>> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...ilesharing.htm (Home)
>> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...ring/index.htm (Pro)
>>
>> http://www.ezlan.net/index.html
>>
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...g/default.mspx
>>
>> --
>> Lem MS MVP -- Networking
>>
>> To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
>>
>
> I have already run the Network Setup Wizard on both computers and only one
> has detected a network and thus has allowed me to share files, but neither of
> them are connecting.

I don't understand this statement.

In your first post, you said that you had an existing wireless internet
connection. Now you say that neither of your computers can connect.
How do these computers access the Internet by "wireless" if they do not
"connect"?

Also, what do you mean that "one has detected a network and thus allowed
me to share files"? Again, how are you sharing files if you are not
"connecting"?

Furthermore, if the wizard you ran "detected a network," then you used
the Wireless Network Wizard, and NOT the Network Setup Wizard as I had
suggested. These are two different things, and they perform different
functions.

Please describe your existing setup: Internet connection, router,
computers, and how everything is connected. Explain what works and what
does not. Explain what you have attempted to do and what error messages
you have received.

--
Lem MS MVP -- Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

--
Sorry if it sounds silly, I''m only 10.


"Lem" wrote:

> SmartRoss wrote:
> >
> > "Lem" wrote:
> >
> >> SmartRoss wrote:
> >>> I wish to create a wireless home network from an existing wireless internet
> >>> connection. Can somebody please tell me how to do this, as the wizards in
> >>> Winows XP seem to be completely irrelevant as to what I wish to do.
> >> Assuming that you have a wireless router to which one or more computers
> >> connect in order to access the Internet, just run the Network Setup
> >> Wizard (NOT the Wireless Network Wizard) on each computer.
> >>
> >> If you have had specific problems after running the Network Setup
> >> Wizard, please explain, in as much detail as possible, and you're likely
> >> to get more focused help. Otherwise, see this general advice from
> >> MS-MVP Malke:
> >>
> >> Run the Network Setup Wizard on both computers, making sure to enable
> >> File & Printer Sharing, and reboot. The only "gotcha" is that this will
> >> turn on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't running a third-party
> >> firewall or have an antivirus with "Internet Worm Protection" (like
> >> Norton 2005/06) which acts as a firewall, then you're fine. If you have
> >> third-party firewall software, configure it to allow the Local Area
> >> Network traffic as trusted. I usually do this with my firewalls with an
> >> IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would
> >> substitute your correct subnet.
> >>
> >> If one or more of the computers is XP Pro:
> >>
> >> a. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off
> >> Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user
> >> accounts/passwords on all computers.
> >>
> >> b. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the
> >> Simple File Sharing enabled.
> >>
> >> Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is enabled. This means
> >> that anyone without a user account on the target system can use its
> >> resources. This is a security hole but only you can decide if it
> >> matters in your situation.
> >>
> >> Then create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users'
> >> home directories (My Documents) or Program Files, but you can share
> >> folders inside those directories. A better choice is to simply use the
> >> Shared Documents folder.
> >>
> >> If that doesn't work for you, here is an excellent network
> >> troubleshooter by MVP Hans-Georg Michna. Take the time to go through it
> >> and it will usually pinpoint the problem area(s) -
> >> http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm
> >>
> >> For further info, see any of these:
> >>
> >> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
> >> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/..._protocols.htm
> >> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...ilesharing.htm (Home)
> >> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...ring/index.htm (Pro)
> >>
> >> http://www.ezlan.net/index.html
> >>
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...g/default.mspx
> >>
> >> --
> >> Lem MS MVP -- Networking
> >>
> >> To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
> >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
> >>
> >
> > I have already run the Network Setup Wizard on both computers and only one
> > has detected a network and thus has allowed me to share files, but neither of
> > them are connecting.
>
> I don't understand this statement.
>
> In your first post, you said that you had an existing wireless internet
> connection. Now you say that neither of your computers can connect.
> How do these computers access the Internet by "wireless" if they do not
> "connect"?
>
> Also, what do you mean that "one has detected a network and thus allowed
> me to share files"? Again, how are you sharing files if you are not
> "connecting"?
>
> Furthermore, if the wizard you ran "detected a network," then you used
> the Wireless Network Wizard, and NOT the Network Setup Wizard as I had
> suggested. These are two different things, and they perform different
> functions.
>
> Please describe your existing setup: Internet connection, router,
> computers, and how everything is connected. Explain what works and what
> does not. Explain what you have attempted to do and what error messages
> you have received.
>
> --
> Lem MS MVP -- Networking
>
> To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
>

I have two computers that are set up to access the internet from a wireless
router. Computer 1 can access the internet and detects that I have a network
and so gives me the option of sharing files. Computer 2 can access the
internet with some applications only and cannot recognise the wireless
network. I have run the Network Setup Wizard and that has made no difference.
On Computer 1, running the wireless setup wizard gives me an option to add a
computer to the NETGEAR network, that is my router brand. I have followed
this, and it has told me to plug in a flash drive to save information to. It
then says to plug it into the router. My router has no USB port, so this does
not work.

"SmartRoss" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:283BAA12-6F27-4749-814E-(E-Mail Removed)...

> and so gives me the option of sharing files. Computer 2 can access the
> internet with some applications only and cannot recognise the wireless
> network.

If it uses the Internet then it is *using* the Wireless network,...therefore
it *recognizes* the wireless network. Therefore your problem,...whatever it
is,...has nothing to do with wireless networking.

If you can't share files, then you either aren't setting up the machine
properly to do so or the Windows Firewall, or some other brand of a
host-based Firewall that you haven't told us you are running is getting in
the way. And none of that has anything to do with whether it is "using" the
network (wireless or otherwise).

--
Phillip Windell
www.wandtv.com

The views expressed, are my own and not those of my employer, or Microsoft,
or anyone else associated with me, including my cats.
-----------------------------------------------------

SmartRoss wrote:

> I have two computers that are set up to access the internet from a wireless
> router. Computer 1 can access the internet and detects that I have a network
> and so gives me the option of sharing files. Computer 2 can access the
> internet with some applications only and cannot recognise the wireless
> network. I have run the Network Setup Wizard and that has made no difference.
> On Computer 1, running the wireless setup wizard gives me an option to add a
> computer to the NETGEAR network, that is my router brand. I have followed
> this, and it has told me to plug in a flash drive to save information to. It
> then says to plug it into the router. My router has no USB port, so this does
> not work.

As Philip Windell says, if computer #2 is accessing the Internet via
your wireless router, then it IS already part of your wireless network
and you do not need to do anything more as far as the "wireless" part is
concerned.

Or do we misunderstand, and computer #2 is accessing the Internet via
some other means (like an Ethernet cable connected to your Netgear router)?

As I wrote in my first post, if both of your computers are able to
access the Internet via your wireless router (without being physically
connected to the router), then YOU DO NOT NEED TO RUN THE WIRELESS
NETWORK WIZARD.

Assuming that what you want to do (you never really said) is to be able
to share files and/or printers between computer #1 and computer #2, what
you need to do is to get your network (not the wireless connection
aspect of it) working properly.

Usually, the easiest way to do that is to run the Network Setup Wizard
on both computers, as I suggested earlier. This is what the opening
screen of the Network Setup Wizard looks like (note that the word
"wireless" is not in it):
http://screenshots.modemhelp.net/scr...izard/01.shtml

When you get to this step of the Network Setup Wizard, click the radio
button to indicate that you connect through a residential gateway:
http://screenshots.modemhelp.net/scr...gateway).shtml

When you get to this step, click the radio button to turn on file and
printer sharing:
http://screenshots.modemhelp.net/scr...Turn_on).shtml

You do not need to make a "network setup disk" because both computers
are running WinXP. Just run this wizard on both computers.

If that hasn't helped, and the links in my first post haven't helped,
please describe what it is that you want to do and what happens when you
try to do it.

--
Lem MS MVP -- Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

"SmartRoss" wrote:

> I have two computers that are set up to access the internet from a wireless
> router. Computer 1 can access the internet and detects that I have a network
> and so gives me the option of sharing files. Computer 2 can access the
> internet with some applications only and cannot recognise the wireless
> network. I have run the Network Setup Wizard and that has made no difference.
> On Computer 1, running the wireless setup wizard gives me an option to add a
> computer to the NETGEAR network, that is my router brand. I have followed
> this, and it has told me to plug in a flash drive to save information to. It
> then says to plug it into the router. My router has no USB port, so this does
> not work.

SmartRoss,

What you may need to do is make sure that both of the computers on the
wireless network are a part of the same workgroup. In order to check this...

1. Right-click on My Computer and select Properties
2. Select the 'Computer Name' tab and click on the Change... button
3. On the 'Computer Name Changes' dialog, under 'Member of', select the
Workgroup radio button
4. Type in a workgroup name and click on OK
5. Restart the computer.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 on the second computer.

Make ABSOLUTELY SURE that the workgroup name is the same on both computers,
otherwise they will not be able to see one another on the network.