usb network

[ecc83]

Heck I just found you can't go and put the kettle on and kick the cat with this, it clears down on you! I will start again!

I have 2 xp pc's networked via xover LAN and one is fed via LAN from a BT Voyager 210 Modem router. As this works fine.

I plugged in a Vold 600M pc via the spare usb port on the 210 and found internet worked fine on that too.

I would like to know, can the 600 pc "talk" to the other two and share files and printer? At the moment it just does not find them.

I know I should just go and buy another box but this would be so simple if it worked.
Dave.

[Cellus]

Could you elaborate as to the OS on both PCs, as well as any software firewalls and File and Print Sharing settings?

A better idea on how everything is networked will help in troubleshooting.

[ecc83]

Hi Cellus, Thanks for your interest.

I will be as detailed as my lack of pc cuteness allows.

This pc (called old) is 3.0G 1Gram Win med cen E. This is connected via RJ45 to the Voyager210 modem. It has the standard Win Firewall turned on (in Con' Pan') the box "do not allow exceptions" is NOT ticked. A Brother MFC-7420USB printer connects directly to this pc. There is a C drive and a physically separate D drive (partt'd E&F). This pc connects via Xover RJ45 to:

3.2G 1Gram win Xp pro( "star"). The firewall is the same. Cdrive 160G and phys sep D drive 40G( yes, silly I know! going to swap them soon) Brother printer works thru' fine as does internet.

There is a Maxtor 400G usb drive connected to "old". All drives and virtually all files are shared with the exception of the root of the Cdrives.

The other 600M pc has xppro on it.

There may be firewalls and other "stuff" that the BT installation disc has put on the pc's but this will be common to all three.

Hope this helps,

Dave.

[johnwill]

Since the Voyager 210 is a router, I'd suggest the following.

Lose the USB connection and buy a simple Ethernet switch. Connect ALL the machines to the Ethernet switch, connect the switch to the single Ethernet jack of the Voyager 210. You can then eliminate ICS on that "star" computer, and all of the machines will be peers on the network.

As you can see here, you can get an Ethernet switch for as little as $10.99 plus about $5 shipping. Personally, I like the Zonet 8 port model for $15.99, it also has auto-MDX ports to make it easy to connect with standard patch cables.

[ecc83]

Yes John, that's quite on the cards but the 2 big pc's are in one room and at the mo' the router is with 600M next to the BT incoming socket (because I am having a LOT of trouble with BT!). The LAN from the router goes through the wall. The usb skt was sitting there so I thought I would give it a go.

If it is not possible that the 600 will talk to the other two in this setup no great loss.

Dave.

[johnwill]

Well, I'd still lose the USB...