Can't get three computers on wireless network to work with each other. - Page 2

Uncletoad · 11-27-2007, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwill

The fact that two of them assume they're the master browser indicates they've lost contact with each other. That's the real issue here.

Ok. Agreed.

So is that a hardware thing, ie Dlink router or a software thing like the Windows firewall?

I'm not sure what to do next.

johnwill · 11-27-2007, 06:28 AM

I think I'd connect the one that keeps losing contact with a wired connection as a test and see if it's solid that way. This will help narrow it down to a wireless connectivity issue, or perhaps some configuration and/or malware on the machine.

Uncletoad · 11-27-2007, 02:47 PM

I went ahead and installed Quickbooks 2008 on all three machines and established the multiuser environment. In configuring the system I realized that the firewall was a problem. I disabled all the windows firewalls on each box today and everything behaved much better.

Clearly the firewall is at issue and despite my attempts to add exceptions to programs and ports it never seemed to work. I don't know if I should have another kind of firewall or just rely on the router's relationship with the internet to do that job for me. I could always get zone alarm or something like that if I should have a software wall on each machine.

Regardless of that, there were times when the machines didn't know which was in charge, and in fact one time when their was no master browser at all, and Quickbooks took a dive. The floating master browser thing is strange.

Is there a way to nail that down more?

Just leave the main box on and never let it go into standby?

These problems seem to be independant of wired vs wireless connections.

johnwill · 11-27-2007, 04:50 PM

FWIW, I haven't used a software firewall here in years. My router's NAT layer has been more than sufficient protection, and I spend a LOT of time on the Internet.

If your machines are all going into standby, that may explain why the network gets confused.

Uncletoad · 11-27-2007, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwill

If your machines are all going into standby, that may explain why the network gets confused.

They only go into standby when I close them for the night, otherwise they are running and open all day.

Uncletoad · 11-28-2007, 09:02 PM

Better without firewall. Still randomly moving masterbrowser around and have two or none.

Any more ideas on that problem?

johnwill · 11-29-2007, 03:06 PM

The only thing that comes to mind is wireless interference breaking the connection at times.

Uncletoad · 11-29-2007, 07:37 PM

Wouldn't the wired one stay put though? Fretshop Main is LAN connected. The other two are wireless.

johnwill · 11-30-2007, 06:43 AM

It would depend on the configuration of all three systems. Here's a description of how the master browser is determined. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/188001

11-27-2007, 06:28 AM	#22 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 28,057 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Can't get three computers on wireless network to work with each other. I think I'd connect the one that keeps losing contact with a wired connection as a test and see if it's solid that way. This will help narrow it down to a wireless connectivity issue, or perhaps some configuration and/or malware on the machine. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

11-27-2007, 02:47 PM	#23 (permalink)
Uncletoad Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: The Land of Cows Posts: 32 OS: Windows XP Pro SP2 My System	Re: Can't get three computers on wireless network to work with each other. I went ahead and installed Quickbooks 2008 on all three machines and established the multiuser environment. In configuring the system I realized that the firewall was a problem. I disabled all the windows firewalls on each box today and everything behaved much better. Clearly the firewall is at issue and despite my attempts to add exceptions to programs and ports it never seemed to work. I don't know if I should have another kind of firewall or just rely on the router's relationship with the internet to do that job for me. I could always get zone alarm or something like that if I should have a software wall on each machine. Regardless of that, there were times when the machines didn't know which was in charge, and in fact one time when their was no master browser at all, and Quickbooks took a dive. The floating master browser thing is strange. Is there a way to nail that down more? Just leave the main box on and never let it go into standby? These problems seem to be independant of wired vs wireless connections.

11-27-2007, 04:50 PM	#24 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 28,057 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Can't get three computers on wireless network to work with each other. FWIW, I haven't used a software firewall here in years. My router's NAT layer has been more than sufficient protection, and I spend a LOT of time on the Internet. If your machines are all going into standby, that may explain why the network gets confused. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

11-28-2007, 09:02 PM	#26 (permalink)
Uncletoad Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: The Land of Cows Posts: 32 OS: Windows XP Pro SP2 My System	Re: Can't get three computers on wireless network to work with each other. Better without firewall. Still randomly moving masterbrowser around and have two or none. Any more ideas on that problem?

11-29-2007, 03:06 PM	#27 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 28,057 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Can't get three computers on wireless network to work with each other. The only thing that comes to mind is wireless interference breaking the connection at times. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

11-29-2007, 07:37 PM	#28 (permalink)
Uncletoad Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: The Land of Cows Posts: 32 OS: Windows XP Pro SP2 My System	Re: Can't get three computers on wireless network to work with each other. Wouldn't the wired one stay put though? Fretshop Main is LAN connected. The other two are wireless.

11-30-2007, 06:43 AM	#29 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 28,057 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Can't get three computers on wireless network to work with each other. It would depend on the configuration of all three systems. Here's a description of how the master browser is determined. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/188001 __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience