NetWork Problem I have the following: 3 computers w/1 nic card each 1 mini hub/router 1 cable modem w/2 IP’s running windows 98 on all 3 machines. the computers are networked thru the hub; all have file and printer sharing activated and are mapped Computer A (is a pentium III - 600mhz; 128mg) sees: Cable modem (1st IP) only (says network not accessible when queried) Does not see Computers B & C or itself in the network neighborhood; When being shut down the A-Computer recognizes that there is another computer mapped into it. After 10-12 hours of operation the computer freezes (must be rebooted). Computer B (is a pentium II - 300mhz; 64mg) sees: Cable modem (2nd IP); Computer A; Computer C Computer C (is a pentium I - 133mhz; 32mg) sees: Computer A; Computer B (cable modem not addressed) Occasionally Computers A & B cannot see the cable modem (forced out/off by a virus???); e.g. NSNOTIFY & AIM do not function until "it feels like it"; sometimes a reboot can help (most times not); computer B still sees the other 2 computers when the modem is "unavailable"; computer C still sees the other 2 computers when the modem is "unavailable." Is this a VIRUS or a what?

To answer your questions: No, this shouldn't be a virus. But a good Virus scan using McAfee Clinic or Norton Anti-Vius first, won't hurt. First, of all I need to know if it is a router or a hub both work about the same but with one MAJOR difference. The ROUTER needs to beprogrammed with ALL the IPs of the computers being hooked up to it. The Hub (the best ones have a power supply you need to plug in which is called an amplified, non-passive hub) Second, under the Network Icon under the Control Panel make sure you can see your modem dial-up adaptor & your network card adaptor. You want these protocals installed ONLY IPX/SPX, NETBEUI, and TCP/IP Protocals for both the Dial-Up Adaptor and Network Card. Those are the ONLY ones you need to make all three computers (reguardless of what type they are) to work! Next, ***VERY IMPORTANT*** YOU MUST MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CAT 5 CABLES ARE ALL OF THE SAME WIRE CODE EITHER EIA/TIA 568A [OR] 568 (could possibly be listed as 568B instead of 568)!!! The UPLINK cable, depending on what cable modem service you have depends on if you need a special x-over cable to hook up from the hub's uplink port to the cable modem. Third, since you are using a cable modem and a hub (a router MUST be programmed with the IP routhing table in order to get maximum efficiency out of it)you must NOT have anything connected into the last (highest numbered) port on your hub; that is port is internally connectd to the Uplink port on the back of your hub (which is the very LAST port on your hub). Fourth, ater making the connections to your computers to the hub connect your cable modem to the uplink jack on the back of the hub. You should see the Power/Cable/PC lights illuminate on the modem and the highest numbered light illuminate on the hub, as well as the lights (on the hub) illuminate for your other three computers this is a good indication that your network cards are connected but not necessarily properly working. Next go around to the different computers to make sure the protocals listed above are installed and active. By the way, double click on the TCP/IP settings under the Network Setting Icon in the Control Panel. Click on "Bindings" and UNBIND ALL (UNCHECK ALL BOXES UNDER THIS SETTING) OTHER PROTOCOLS FROM TCP/IP PROTOCAL the reason for this is because Windows likes to "listen in" on port 139, NOT good! [See http://www.grc.com, please.] Windows acts like an internal server and one computer connected to the outside can access ALL the rest of your computers especially with a cable modem "always on" connection. Next, still under the TCP/IP protocal (for Network & Dial Up Adaptor)make sure and under the NetBIOS tab that box should be ungrayed and UNCHECKED. Fifth, once the above is done you need to goto each of the My Computer Icons double-click on them and then RIGHT-click on the C: Drive Icon and goto Properties at the end of the list within the new list that pops-up goto the word "Sharing" click on the "Shared As" selection, set the Share Name and Password. Do the same for the rest of your computers and local harddrives. You could set remote network hard drives if you wanted to meaning each network path could be a local hard drive on each of the other computers and vise-versa. But, may I suggest that on a network without a firewall or a proxy server that you do NOT use the 'Reconnect Network Drives on Start-up" feature and connect to your other drives through your password and DON'T save your password upon entering a network drive. Last, about you Cable Modem provider. I use AT&T Broadband. I have three computers hooked up to my network and no firewall and no INTERNAL proxy server. BUT I do run a quaint litle program called MultiProxy v1.1 [See: http://proxy.nikto.net] it works great on Cable/DSL Modems. Last but not least. Within your note to the site you said you are only using two IPs. I am using a total of 3 separate IP address One for each computer. I HIGHLY suggest this. IT IS THE EASIEST WAY TO SETUP YOUR NETWORK! It is only $39.95 and $4.95 each add'l IP address. That is what I pay but I dunno what Cable Modem you have. I also have my computers setup with a STATIC IP meaning, if you don't know, each of the IP address given to me from the Broadband Proviter is set within the TCP/IP protocal to use the GIVEN address and no other. Thus, if you are using only a hub you wont run into network, intranet or internet problems with your connection. :) Hope this helps! Good Luck!