I recently inherited a Sony Viao, and wanted to do a simple cable network with my HP host, so I bought a LINKSYS cabled/wired router. I have DSL from AT&T. It also appears that the Viao has an added network card? D-Link? And I think my HP might have an additional ethernet card too.

I tried using the LINKSYS installation/setup CD, but got stuck when it asked for the ISP password (which I forgot).

Since then, I've tried getting directions from LINKSYS, and from HP, and all the directions are about the same (to use the Network Setup Wizard, or whatever it is called).

I've tried twice, but have failed twice to establish a network. There also seem to be some options along the setup that I am unclear on, I think related to where my ethernet cable is plugged in, and also computer is asking if I want to bridge connections.

In any case, it seems that a simple task is not so simple, and that following the directions are not working for me.

What ports am I supposed to be plugged in to? Do I even need a the LINKSYS router? (this last question relates to that I have read the host computer is supposed to have (2) network adapter cards).

And finally, once setup is complete, I do not know what I am supposed to look for on my desktop, or have not seen any instructions on how to use a network!

I understand about file sharing and printer sharing.

One last thing. When I tried to set up the network on my client computer (the Viao), everything seemed to go fine. The Viao then said that I was connected to the internet, and if I wanted to setup a password if I wanted to "chat" or whatever (I selected no, since I don't want this service). When I tried to open Internet Explorer, nothing happened (it told me I wasn't online).

Sooooooo, something is not quite right.

Anyone patient enough to help me "beyond" the basic step-by-steps that are "typically" provided (including Windows so-called Wizard) . . . I would be greatly indebted to you!

I forgot to mention: my DSL modem goes into the LINKSYS, and both of my computers are wired into slots #1 & #2 of the router. The ethernet cables are connected to the "integrated" ethernet ports of both computers, not the "cards".

Can't the HP host computer, if it hypothetically has (2) network cards, act as a router? I'm not completely understanding the purpose of the LINKSYS.

Thank you again.
Tony

DSL modem, router, or computer could be access point. Important start to know, the passwork is critical too unless it is already in the modem or you can get it off your computer.

You may have to use other how-to's on dsl forums to see how to setup your modem. It may have to be set as a passthrough or not.

I set mine to passthrough. Seems to work better. I use my login and pasword in the router. I have a crossover cable between the wan port of the router to the modem. I use lan ports for computers. The connection point shows (public IP) at my routers wan port. I have dynamic ip so I set it to the dynamic dhcp setting on the routers wan. See also dns enty set to get from dhcp if there.

Lan ports are set to forever lease on dhcp. I also added the dns ip's along with the routers ip to windows dns config.

All these devices have a web based setup. You may have to set a static ip in your computer or at least connect a computer with dhcp and a single patch cable to each device at at time to config it. Config the modem first if the forums say to. Just reset it and get the default ip (if you are sure you don't need any info from it.) The put your computer on the lan side of the router and again may have to static or dhcp , reset to get to the web setup.

Then hook it all up as above.

ATT will not help you. Wizards stink.

Saying all that you don't need a router if you don't want to. (you should for the firewalling features and easier config) However you would have to instll analogx's proxy. You could get it to work on one nic or two. ICS forces you to a stupid static IP.

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

Response to Jefro's reply:

Thanks for your time, but your reply with all of it's technical slang is way above my head, with more than half of the terms unfamiliar to me.

I would please request that anyone out there interested in helping, could you provide me with a layman termed outline of how to solve this supposedly simple network setup?

ps. i think i remember some question during setup asking about "passthrough".

thank you to all considering helping,
Tony

"What ports am I supposed to be plugged in to? Do I even need a the LINKSYS router? (this last question relates to that I have read the host computer is supposed to have (2) network adapter cards)."

Too much reading can turn info into mush. You are mixing the understanding of software routing with hardware routing. I will explain below.

"The ethernet cables are connected to the "integrated" ethernet ports of both computers, not the "cards"."

Do these pcs have nic cards? Hopefully not. Just the intergrated into the mainboard nics.

"if it hypothetically has (2) network cards, act as a router?"

This is software routing. It is not as good or as fast as using a hardware router like your linksys. IGNORE any info on using dual nics and making your pc route.

Your setup with modem<>router<>wired pc connections is correct.

DID YOU READ AND FOLLOW THE LINKSYS ROUTER SETUP???

This is not a put in place and fly device. You have to configure it. The manual walks you thru step by step.

Your first test is can both pcs get on the internet.

Post back and we will see where you need to go from here.

PS I don't always understand what Jefro writes either and I am far from a novice.

Imagine the power of knowing how to internet search
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/FindInfo.html

Thank you Wanderer for assisting . . . much easier to understand!

Yes, both computers have NIC's, but I am plugged into the integrated Ethernet ports.

I contacted AT&T and had my ISP password reset (forgot my original one). Tonight, I will try setting up the network router with the included LINKSYS installation CD (which required me to know my ISP password on step #10).

I will see how far this takes me.

A quick question . . . since I have tried setting up the network using Windows Network Wizard, and have "bridged" connections, will this in any way influence trying to set up a network from scratch? Or do I need to go in and undo it all (or Restore System to an earlier date)?

Thank you very much!
Tony

You should only have one cable from pc to router. Yes undo the bridging, it will only complicate things.

How to remove the bridge:
go in to control panels > network connections then select one of the connections and click remove bridge.

You don't need the router cd. You just need to note the wan settings. You can get these by calling your isp or just direct connect your pc to the modem and run ipconfig /all from a cmd prompt.

Imagine the power of knowing how to internet search
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/FindInfo.html

yes, I have (1) cable running from each computer to slots #1 & #2 on the router.

once I note the WAN settings, what do I do with them?

also, could some of my problems (like not being able to access the internet from the client computer, even though it says that I am connected) be arising from Firewalls or ZoneAlarm???

Thanks

turn off the firewalls until you get everything working.

You want to follow the routers manual for setting up the router. It asks you to write down those settings I mentioned and then tells you where to put them.

Imagine the power of knowing how to internet search
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/FindInfo.html

okay

the only router "manual" is the installation CD that was included with the LINKSYS. I am assuming that once I get past step #10 (enter isp user name & password), it will prompt me for these queries. There was no "paper" manual. I had contacted LINKSYS a number of times, with responses ranging from the use of the Windows Wizard to a step-by-step instructions, none of which worked.

I have reserved hopes that the installation CD will work. If not, I will be back to this forum.

I will deactivate any firewalls and "bridges". If there is anything else I should consider before continuing, I will appreciate the info.

Again, thank you for you kind help!
Tony