[Chuck745]

If anyone would be kind enough to shed some light on this, I'd greatly appreciate it.

I've attached a file to show my physical layout

PC 1 & 2 see each other
PC 3 & 4 see each other

All 4 computers connect to the Internet

PC 1 & 2 cannot see PC 3 & 4, and vice-versa

 

[johnwill]

Re: Computers playing hide and seek

How about the make/model of all the hubs, switches, and routers? Also, what is the version and patch level of Windows in use on each system? Finally, do this for PC1 and PC3 and post the results here.

Start, Run, CMD to open a command prompt:

Type the following two commands:

nbtstat -n

ipconfig /all

Right click in the command window and choose Select All, then hit Enter.
Paste the results in a message here.

If you are on a machine with no network connection, use a floppy, USB disk, or a CD-RW disk to transfer a text file with the information to allow pasting it here.

 

[Chuck745]

Re: Computers playing hide and seek

Thank you for the response. I wasn't sure what info I needed, thank you for explaining

All machines are running XP SP2, with the exception of PC3, which is running MCE.

The wireless router is a Linksys WRT54G v1.3
The first hub is a Netgear 8 port DS108, the second hub (that PC 3 and 4 are attatched to), is a not a hub, its a Netgear FS105 switch. The switch that connects PC 1 and 2 is a Speedstream SS2604.

I hope that I've provided everything that you need. Thanks in advance for your help.


PC 1

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Chuck>nbtstat -n

Local Area Connection:
Node IpAddress: [192.168.254.4] Scope Id: []

NetBIOS Local Name Table

Name Type Status
---------------------------------------------
CC-P4 <00> UNIQUE Registered
CC-P4 <20> UNIQUE Registered
WORKGROUP <00> GROUP Registered
WORKGROUP <1E> GROUP Registered

C:\Documents and Settings\Chuck>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : cc-p4
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.wa.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.wa.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Eth
ernet NIC
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-13-8F-79-CB-82
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.254.4
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.254.254
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.254.254
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.69.146
68.87.85.98
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, December 10, 2007 7:55:56 AM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Thursday, December 13, 2007 7:55:56
AM

C:\Documents and Settings\Chuck>

PC 3
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Chuck>nbtstat -n

Local Area Connection:
Node IpAddress: [192.168.1.100] Scope Id: []

NetBIOS Local Name Table

Name Type Status
---------------------------------------------
MEDIACENTERPC <00> UNIQUE Registered
MEDIACENTERPC <20> UNIQUE Registered
WORKGROUP <00> GROUP Registered
WORKGROUP <1E> GROUP Registered
WORKGROUP <1D> UNIQUE Registered
..__MSBROWSE__.<01> GROUP Registered

C:\Documents and Settings\Chuck>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : mediacenterpc
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.wa.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.wa.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-16-17-8E-E4-6B
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.69.146
68.87.85.98
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, December 11, 2007 7:39:18 A
M
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, December 12, 2007 7:39:18
AM

C:\Documents and Settings\Chuck>

 

[johnwill]

Re: Computers playing hide and seek

Well, the "switch" that connects PC 1 and 2 is a Speedstream SS2604 appears to be a problem. This is a router, not a switch. From the IPCONFIG results, you have two totally different subnets, so it's not a surprise that they can't connect to each other.

What in the world are you doing with all the router, switches, hubs, etc. for four computers? Get rid of the Speedstream SS2604 to start, but I'd simplify that rig a lot more.

 

[Chuck745]

Re: Computers playing hide and seek

The complexity of the setup is due to physical layout. My modem, wireless router and that 1st network hub are located in or adjacent to an in-wall On-Q panel (the wireless router is mounted outside the metal enclosure for obvious reasons). That hub in the panel allows connection to 6 cat 5e cable runs out of that panel that go to other rooms throughout my home (only 2 of which are currently in use). PC 1 and 2 are in one room, and PC 3 and 4 are in another, along with every game console known to man. With one network cable running to each of those two different rooms, I have to use a hub so I don't have to run separate cables for each computer/device. I've been in the attic once, and that was too many times.

I will gladly replace that Speedstream device (purchased originally because of the fact that it has a printer port on it, which I do not use) I will instead install another Netgear hub in that location. Will the presence of that new hub automatically eliminate my 2 subnet problem?

Thanks so much for the help on this. Once I get this problem rectified, I should have no more issues. Except maybe for the fact that my notebook can only access the internet through my neighbor's wireless router, but not mine. That's ok tho 'cause he has lots of MP3 files :1angel:

 

[johnwill]

Re: Computers playing hide and seek

Why do you need the hub if the router's right there?

In any case, yes, if you get rid of the router and install a plain switch (I don't recommend hubs), the dual subnet issue and the network file sharing will all be fixed. :smile:

 

[Chuck745]

Re: Computers playing hide and seek

First of all, my router does not have enough ports to supply all of the outlets throughout the house, so adding the hub was necessary.

I've purchased a new switch to replace the Speedstream router. Everything sees everything now.

I can even print wirelessly from my laptop (which was a different issue of course, but it's fixed too).

Thanks so much for taking the time to look at my configuration and giving me the advice.

 

[johnwill]

Re: Computers playing hide and seek

No problem, that's what we do here. :smile: