Hi, I have just installed 7 pcs, all a decent spec, with a fresh copy of Vista on all of them. The PC's randomly hang when accessing the network (only sometimes). 6 of the PCS are connected via ethernet cable into a hub, and the 7th is via wirless.
the Ethernet connection pcs use wirless for the internet connection,
Is there anything specific I should be checking with regards to settings?

Would it be better just to do away with the Ethernet cable connections and do wirlesss only? If so, can the PC's access the internet AND be part of a workgroup on the same connection?

Thanks

No, do away with the wireless and use Ethernet only. It is far more reliable. wireless is unnecessary on a desktop. If you have a router there is need to have both wireless and cable.

Stuart

Agreed. Wired is better unless you have no other choice.

Being part of a workgroup is of no issue with respect to connecting to the internet in almost all cases. Only some odd situations would cause problems.

I'd start with event viewer and taskmanager and consider a performance monitor test to see what is causing it. Might have to also use network tools to diag. the network.

I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.

If I do set them all up as a cable connection, how do i set up the internet connection? will I have to create a "shared connection" like in XP? Can you do this in vista?

Going back to the Wirelss, the Signal strengh on them is listed Excellent. 6 pcs connect to a hub via cable, but the 7th PC is connected via the wirless router. Im Wondering if this is causing the problem somehow.

If you want seven computers on the same network to connect to the Internet you use a router. That's what they are designed for. No need for a "shared connection". The router does all the work and each PC connects the Internet independent of all the others.

Stuart

does the hub connect to a lan port on the router? Does it have a uplink port or are you using a crossover from hub to router lan port?

I suspect this is where your intermittent issue is; the hub

Imagine the power if you knew how to internet search

Hub would do it.

Hubs sort of stink in todays networks. Better would be a switch for 7 computers, I'd suspect.

How do you connect now?

I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.

The hub (where the ethernet cables connect into) does not have a phsical connection to the router. they are not near each other.
The pcs get thier Internet connection via wireless to the router.
So to summorize, 6 pcs have woreless AND ethernet, and one PC just has wireless. I'll be honest, im not quite sure how the standalone wirless one is set up, but it *sometimes* appears on the network.

what exactly does the uplink button do on the hub?

That explains alot. Real simple. Eliminate the hub. You can do all networking wirelessly between pcs via the wireless routers lan. Or eliminate the wireless for those connected to the hub.

Here's the deal in its simplicity: you can only have one access to lan and internet not two. Systems get confused as to which they should be talking on and you can only have one gateway entry.

Problem solved.

Imagine the power if you knew how to internet search

Many thanks, this is a great forum. I have done as you said, eliminated the hub (and the cable connections). Tommrow will sanity test - fingers crossed all ok.

Uplink is a way to correct for the way patch cables are wired. It puts the transmit side wire to the other units receive side. A hub and switch usually show an X which means they cross the connection. If you connect an X connector to an X then it is back to transmit to transmit.

Almost all newer devices auto config now. I only play with those settings if I connect to a high end system (oddly the expensive stuff doesn't normally auto nego) or older stuff.

That button if still installed would x to a computer and no x to a modem or other device such as a router switch.

I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.