I have three computers all running XP Pro Two of which have SP2. Problem is when I installed a Netgear workgroup switch FS605, none can see any of the others. I do not have a router, I do use a cable modem.I have disabled all firewalls and have shared folders on all PC's, but still nothing. Only one of them can access the internet.I simply am trying to have a simple network for file sharing etc. I have enabled NetBIOS on all of them and they all are members of the same workgroup. Is this an XP thing because I never had problems in the past using Win2K. Any help would be great and don't worry about making me feel stupid.

I bet you have the pcs set to get a dynamic ip address. This works fine for the pc getting the internet connection since the isp is giving out a ip address. Problem come in that since you don't have a router and no dhcp server your other two pcs are defaulting to automatic ip assignments [169.254.x.x] ip addresses. These ip addresses will be different that the one you get from your isp so these two can't talk to the one. With that said you can network with another protocol installed but it can't be tcp/ip. You say you loaded netbios but I hope that was a typo and you really meant NETBEUI. With netbeui on all three you should be able to share files and printers with no issue. Make sure your shares are with full control. Logon to each pc with the same account name and password. See if you can't browse to the other pcs. Golly gee wilerkers everyone. Learn to Internet Search

Hi superdave1984, I will try to help but first some more clarification about your system. You have already given very useful information:-) Since you have not said anything about the type of Internet Access [Dial-Up vs Broadband ] I suspect you are not concerned about Internet Sharing. First, some more hardware related questions: 1. Are all the 3 Computers have their NICs [Network Interface Cards =Network Adapers]configured and displayed in the + Network Addapters with their makes and models without any Error symbols like ? ! X when you RIGHT-click My Computer>Harware>Device Manager>+Network Adapers? 2. Is the Power LED of the Netgear workgroup switch FS605 connected to the live Power outet using the supplied Power Adapter lit? 3. Are the Link LEDs on the Netgear workgroup switch FS605 lit Solid when you connect the RJ45 Port of the NIC seen at the back of each PC with the RJ 45 Port on the Netgear workgroup switch FS605 with CAT5 Cable ( does not matter Straight-through or Cross over for the Autosensing switch) when both the PC and the Device are Turned On? Next some Software realted Questions I realize you have already enabled NetBIOS over TCP/IP in each of the neworked PCs. 4. Have you installed NetBEUI Protocol. Remember:NetBEUI although kept hidden in the WinXP CD it is not Installed by default as MS does not support the Protocol as it is not useful for RAS (Remote Access service). It is still useful in LAN and I have found it helpful in some cases of LAN problems in homenetworking. 5. Do you have any 3rd Party Firewalls in the PCs? As you know WinXP Pro SP2 has its Firewall activated by default on install. One of the most common causes of LAN connection problem is a Firewall not configured properly. 6. Do you have McAfee or Norton Anti Virus which often interefere during LAN setup. Please provide the information and will see why you are not able to have a Home Network using a Switch. If you are interested in Internet sharing provide us the deatils of the Accessing Modem also. M How To Ask Questions The Smart Way

Thanks for the info. wanderer> i forgot about the IP addressing issue, that solved the problem of seeing the other computers. I still can't get the others on the internet though. maadhurimn> i will try the NetBEUI and see what happens. Thanks again.

superdave1984 If you want to share Cable Internet you will need a Broadband Router. If you have to share Internet through the Switch, you must make one of the WinXP SP2 PCs as a HOST PC and the other two as Clients. The Host PC must then have two NIcs; one NIC to connect to the Cable Modem and the other to the Switch. Then the other two PCS must use the Switch as clients. You need to first setup the Host PC and make sure it has the Internet access via cable modem. Then run Network Setup Wizard in that HOST PC and choose the first option (.) "This computer connects directly to the Internet. The other Computer on my network connect to the Internet through this computer". Continue making appropriate choices. Once the Setup is finished, create a diskette as suggested and use that to setup the client computers. If you have any problem viewing the clients or sharing files from one another through Network Places>View Workgroup Computers> Shraed Folders adding NetBEUIS would help provided other causes are ruled out. M