I can only connect to the web on one of my computers (kinda)

usedHONDA · 02-21-2007, 10:04 PM

Problem:
One of my computers can connect to the internet, but the others don't all of a sudden.

What happened:
I'm not sure how, but the internet on my main computer just went away, and so did my Mac.

Connection setup:

Now here's the weird part.When I was trying to figure it out when my friend was using the working connection, Comp 2 and Comp 3 got a connection. After about 30 seconds of logical thinking, I figured out that when you load a page on Comp 1, Comp 2 and 3 notice and connect as well.

Conclusion:
All I need to do to keep a connection going in Comp 2 and 3 is to refresh a page continuously on Comp 1. Unfortunately, that is a bad way to end the story.

What do you think went wrong? Is there some Widget or something that does the same effect as refreshing a page (like a stock ticker or something)? Suggestions? Lack of suggestions?

johnwill · 02-23-2007, 06:28 PM

Why do you have two routers?

picohat · 02-24-2007, 09:28 AM

If AirPort Express is a router, then I would assume you tried to create 2 different networks with 2 routers. In this case, you need to configure AirPort Express router with proper route to first router.

If.. you only need a router, and all computers are in same logical network, then you can just configure AirPort Express as a switch only. Means don't make any WAN, LAN or DHCP configuration.. Assume it's just a network switch. It should work.

I think you also enabled Internet Connection Sharing on computer 2, pretty complex your network design. Somehow I feel..

Here are 3 simple tutorials, you can have a look if you like:

Ethernet Home Network Setup tutorial

Wireless Network Setup tutorial

Internet Connection Sharing tutorial

Hope helps..

johnwill · 02-24-2007, 06:44 PM

Connecting two SOHO broadband routers together.

Configure the IP address of the secondary router to be in the same subnet as the primary router, but out of the range of the DHCP server in the primary router. For instance DHCP server addresses 192.168.0.2 through 192.168.0.100, I'd assign the secondary router 192.168.0.254 as it's IP address.

Disable the DHCP server in the secondary router.

Setup the wireless section just the way you would if it was the primary router.

Connect from the primary router's LAN port to one of the LAN ports on the secondary router. If there is no uplink port and neither of the routers have auto-sensing ports, use a cross-over cable. Leave the WAN port unconnected!

usedHONDA · 02-25-2007, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwill

Why do you have two routers?

They're on opposite sides of the house (and I happen to have the AirPort Express). I just use the Express for connection enhancement.

Oh, and I messed up the graph.

Code:

Modem
|
AirPort Extreme
 |           |
        Comp1     AirPort Express
                   |          |
                    WiFi Port   Comp3
            |
            Comp2

johnwill · 02-25-2007, 03:50 PM

Is there a wire between them?

usedHONDA · 02-25-2007, 03:54 PM

No, they connect wirelessly.

usedHONDA · 02-26-2007, 05:30 PM

Good news. I was playing with the cables, turning every ring on and off, and fiddling with the settings and out of nowhere, I got the internet back! Comp1 is off and I'm on Comp2!

Earlier, my strategy was to go to YouTube and load the longest video i could find (at a whopping 3 hours) on Comp1.

02-21-2007, 10:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
usedHONDA Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando FL Posts: 124 OS: XP Pro My System	I can only connect to the web on one of my computers (kinda) Problem: One of my computers can connect to the internet, but the others don't all of a sudden. What happened: I'm not sure how, but the internet on my main computer just went away, and so did my Mac. Connection setup: Now here's the weird part.When I was trying to figure it out when my friend was using the working connection, Comp 2 and Comp 3 got a connection. After about 30 seconds of logical thinking, I figured out that when you load a page on Comp 1, Comp 2 and 3 notice and connect as well. Conclusion: All I need to do to keep a connection going in Comp 2 and 3 is to refresh a page continuously on Comp 1. Unfortunately, that is a bad way to end the story. What do you think went wrong? Is there some Widget or something that does the same effect as refreshing a page (like a stock ticker or something)? Suggestions? Lack of suggestions? __________________ Difficult takes a day. Impossible takes a week.

02-23-2007, 06:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 32,581 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Why do you have two routers? __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

02-24-2007, 06:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 32,581 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Connecting two SOHO broadband routers together. Configure the IP address of the secondary router to be in the same subnet as the primary router, but out of the range of the DHCP server in the primary router. For instance DHCP server addresses 192.168.0.2 through 192.168.0.100, I'd assign the secondary router 192.168.0.254 as it's IP address. Disable the DHCP server in the secondary router. Setup the wireless section just the way you would if it was the primary router. Connect from the primary router's LAN port to one of the LAN ports on the secondary router. If there is no uplink port and neither of the routers have auto-sensing ports, use a cross-over cable. Leave the WAN port unconnected! __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

02-25-2007, 03:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 32,581 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Is there a wire between them? __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

02-25-2007, 03:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
usedHONDA Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando FL Posts: 124 OS: XP Pro My System	No, they connect wirelessly. __________________ Difficult takes a day. Impossible takes a week.

02-24-2007, 09:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
picohat Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 23 OS: XP	If AirPort Express is a router, then I would assume you tried to create 2 different networks with 2 routers. In this case, you need to configure AirPort Express router with proper route to first router. If.. you only need a router, and all computers are in same logical network, then you can just configure AirPort Express as a switch only. Means don't make any WAN, LAN or DHCP configuration.. Assume it's just a network switch. It should work. I think you also enabled Internet Connection Sharing on computer 2, pretty complex your network design. Somehow I feel.. Here are 3 simple tutorials, you can have a look if you like: Ethernet Home Network Setup tutorial Wireless Network Setup tutorial Internet Connection Sharing tutorial Hope helps..

02-26-2007, 05:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
usedHONDA Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando FL Posts: 124 OS: XP Pro My System	Good news. I was playing with the cables, turning every ring on and off, and fiddling with the settings and out of nowhere, I got the internet back! Comp1 is off and I'm on Comp2! Earlier, my strategy was to go to YouTube and load the longest video i could find (at a whopping 3 hours) on Comp1. __________________ Difficult takes a day. Impossible takes a week.