networked pc's

Computer Forum General Hardware
1

Hello, im a new user on theses forums but been using pcs for years.

I was asked to help a friend today in regards to his networked pcs
which have me stumped.

I hope by joining these forums somebody can help me.

Ok ill start by saying my friend has 3 pcs all connected on a WIRED ethernet, one pc is in one office, this is the gateway computer and connects to the internet and the outside world, also i must state that all 3 pcs have Windows XP Pro installed, and are using the windows firewall.
The second pc is in the room next door and is connected to the ethernet router by wire, and that too can connect to the internet through the first computer.

The third pc is one floor down (3 storie building) but is again also connected the the hub by wires, there is absolutly NO WIRELESS in the building, but the third pc will not connect to the internet.

Internet Explorer V7 just says there is no connection, and yet i ran a piece of software called SIW and ran a test on the network and it pulled info about the internet, ie standard IP address and a few others.

I have tried IE in online AND offline, checked the options for Intranets and LANS and safe sites, tried google.co.uk and microsoft.com, just wont let me in, i tried internet connections and setup a local network wizard again.

I have had a look at the backs of all three pc’s and the ethernet cables are all fitted snugly in their sockets.

Unfortunatly the company that built the network and pc’s for my friend has gone bust so we cant use them again.

I have been racking my brains all day trying to think of a solution that why i have finally turned to the internet to ask for help.

UPDATE
I went back today to have another look, tried IE no luck, tried a portable FireFox went straight online, so i downloaded another
working copy of IE from Microsoft and re-installed, still nothing, so i tried normal version of FireFox downloaded that and installed
FireFox doesnt work, i had a look at the Ethernet HUB, all three lights are lit and green flashing so i know they are working
I even had a look at the routers setup page, looks ok and i can get a trace route and ping from the PC that bothering me.
UPDATE

Any questions just ask me
Thanks in advance

MaxTech

2

Hi,

The first thing that I would try is to see if this computer can ping an external site, such as google.com. If it cannot, then I would try pinging the router/gateway for the home network it is on. If it cannot do that, would then try the local loopback address of 127.0.0.1 . To do that, go to start, then run, then type cmd to open a black command window. In the window, type ping www. google.com or another website. It should come back with response times. If not, hit ctrl+c to stop the ping cycle and then try the router it is connected to. This can help you determine where the connection is not being made.

Also, you may want to try doing an ip config in the same command window to see if you are getting an ip address and a gateway. Just type ipconfig in the window.

You can also check to see if you have dhcp enabled on that computer. Go to the my network places icon on the desktop, right click it and choose properties. Then choose the adapter that says local area connection, right click it, and choose properties again. You will see a window that starts with the words “This connection uses the following items” and you can scroll down it. Look for something that says Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), click on it, then hit the Properties button. (if the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP is not checked off, check it off) On the General Tab, it should say obtain an IP address automatically and also obtain a DNS automatically if you do not want a static IP address.

Oh, one more thing.. Sometimes the router just needs to be reset too. Try turning off the router, computers, and cable modem/dsl modem.. then power the modem up first, wait, then do the same with the router, and then the computer last

3

Thanks, ill give your suggestion a go, but i wont be able to get round to the office where these PC’s are setup untill Monday.

I doubt theyll be happy about turning off the router for a few mins, computers are left on 24/7 seven days a week n all, something about the network and stuff, but as i said ill
give it ago and report back if theres anymore issues