Wireless Networking w/ Belkin & Linksys Router

[verbatimx]

Hello to Everyone who reads this,

here's my problem, I'll make is short and simple. I have had a Linksys router with 4-port switch for a little over a year. I have a cable modem for my internet connection. I have two computers that use the router. I have never had any problems with this. I recently bought a laptop and then decided that I needed to get a Wireless Access Point and a Wireless network card. I chose Belkin. No problems with that, I can access the internet on every computer and change the AP configuration if need be. However, I decided that I want to be able to share files and my printer. All the computers are running Win XP Home and boy do I have problems! The two wired comps can ping each other, the AP and the router. The laptop can ping the router, AP, and itself. The two wired computers can see each other just fine. Laptop (wireless) can only see itself. What do I do to get this problem corrected and fixed? BTW, I tried the Network Setup Wizard that comes with XP Home and it really sucks!!!

[Greenstead]

You don't need to use XP's network wizard. It can do strange things. I never use it.

You first need to make sure all the devices are on the same subnet. This could be a problem since the Linksys and Belkin have different default subnets. To get them all on the same subnet you must have the Belkin WAP set to DHCP client so its gets its IP address from the Linksys DHCP service ? (It sounds you already have since you can ping it from the wired PCs).

You didn't say if the laptop can ping the two wired PCs - it has to be able to do that before you move forward - can it?
If not do an Ipconfig /all on the laptop and post the output.

The laptop wireless NIC should have the same network property settings on the General tab as the two wired NICs.

You could also run thro the standard checklist for PCs to file share:
- All PCs have the same workgroup.
- All PCs have a unique computer name.
- ALL PCs have network shares defined.
- ALL NICS are set to get an IP address and DNS addresses automatically.
- MS Client and file & printer sharing are checked on each NIC.
- All firewalls (diable XP's ICF permanently) are disabled until you get all connections working.

If you still have problems post back.