How do I set up my network?

[newhere123]

I just bought a Linksys 10/100 5-Port Workgroup Switch (router). I have ethernet cords. I have one Intel Mac running Mac OS X. I have another HP Desktop running Windows XP. I have DSL internet through a wired modem (ethernet). Everything is within a few feet of everything else.

My CURRENT set-up is that I hook the printer (HP Photosmart 7350) and DSL ethernet cord to whichever computer I want to use at the time, but I want to share internet, printer, and files.

When I connected the DSL modem to the router and then connected each computer to the router (with whatever empty ports I saw at the back of the router), I could not get both computers to share the internet or to see each other. If I connect the router to one computer or the other, I can get that computer to access the internet. But when I connect them both, only the Windows works, and on the mac, a warning thing pops up saying something like the ip or something is being used by something else, or something like that.

What am I supposed to do? (I'll probably have the printer connected to the main HP Desktop if I can set up the network, by the way.) I tried looking for tutorials on setting up networks but that hasn't turned up any good info. The linksys booklet that came with the router didn't seem to have the set-up instructions.

I am no expert at this, so can you please give me directions which hold my hand at every step of the way, keeping in mind that any computer words or short-hand ways of saying anything will probably confuse me without elaboration?

Thanks a million!

[cryingvalor]

Im guessing that either your MAC or Windows is using DHCP and 1 of them is using static ip. i suggest i suggest you check both of there network configuration and set them both to DHCP.

[newhere123]

Originally Posted by cryingvalor

Im guessing that either your MAC or Windows is using DHCP and 1 of them is using static ip. i suggest i suggest you check both of there network configuration and set them both to DHCP.

Thanks for the fast response.
I know the mac is DHCP, and the ip is automatically assigned. I think the address is automatically assigned. So how do I check the "network configurations" on both the computers, and how should I set them? Step by step instructions on making this work will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[newhere123]

Hang on a second. What I bought was http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...nnorswebguidec

Is this not a router? Is this good for anything?

[johnwill]

You bought a switch, not what you need to share the Internet. You need a broadband router.

[newhere123]

Aw, man! I thought I was getting a router. Can you please give me a model number for a good, low priced, wired router? And, is the product I bought any good?

By the way, even when I connected the two computers directly, I can share internet, and I can browse the Mac from Windows, but I can't seem to find the Windows computer from the mac, and I can't seem to find the printer which is connected to the windows, even though it is shared.

[johnwill]

The product you purchased is fine if you needed a switch.

Any one of these deals should do the trick just fine: http://dealnews.com/search.html?search=router&x=33&y=15

[newhere123]

Well, I want a wired router. Will this http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...nnorswebguidec work for what I need? And will I be able to set up a working network between the Windows (XP) and the Mac (OS 10.4) (both have Ethernet ports) so I can share the printer and internet and files? (And will the network hold even if I turn computers on or off or unplug everything every once in a while?)

[johnwill]

Yep, that router will work fine.

[newhere123]

Okay. I haven't gotten it yet, but since I have had trouble even when just connecting the computers with one cord, can I please have simple instructions on getting the computers to see each other, on how to access the windows from the mac, and on how to print from the mac to the windows printer? Thanks.

[johnwill]

http://www.homenethelp.com/web/howto/net.asp