2 computers-can't use both at same time

zap27

Hi

I have an old Gateway windows 98 SE PC in an upstairs bedroom and I am using the Netopia 3D reach wireless card. My modem is downstairs connected via ethernet to a newer PC.

Now the speed is pretty slow upstairs but something has happened recently in that when the modem is on, the pc upstairs is connected to the net fine, but as soon as the pc downstairs gets switched on, the wireless link goes down on the other machine.

I normally have a pretty good signal strength via wireless but i have tested this theory and its definitely the problem-I cant have the pc switched on downstairs otherwise the wireless link goes down on the upstairs pc!!

Any idea why this has happened?tks

irlrobins

When you say wireless link goes down you mean that there is no signal what so ever on the upstairs PC?

What modem/wireless router do you have? Have you updated the firmware on it?

zap27

I have the Netopia 3d reach wirelesss adaptor along with the standard Netopia modem that eircom give out. yes the signal just dies as soon as the other computer downstairs is switched on. i just dont understand why this is happening at all.

Havent updated any firmware on it yet, no, but will try that

CiaranC

Sounds like an IP address conflict. Post the network configuration of the two machines.

zap27

uh-oh. how do i do that-sorry i'm not particularly savvy on the tech side of things

is_that_so

[Alternative to above]
Click Start ->Run and type in command (win98) or cmd for later machines in the box for each computer
type ipconfig in that box and paste that info here.

MunsterCycling

is_that_so wrote:

[Alternative to above]
Click Start ->Run and type in command (win98) or cmd for later machines in the box for each computer
type ipconfig in that box and paste that info here.

Just to clear this up its winipcfg for a Win98 machine.

irlrobins

MunsterCycling wrote:

Just to clear this up its winipcfg for a Win98 machine.

winipcfg is a GUI interface for ipconfig. ipconfig should work as well.

zap27

ok heres what i got:

win98 machine:
IP Address 192.168.1.2
Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway 192.168.1.254

XP Machine:
IP address 192.168.1.1
Subnet mask-same as above
Default gateway -same as above

Thanks!

irlrobins

no ip conflict so. Very odd problem.....

NutJob

how did ur gateway get an ip of 192.168.1.254

its ususlly 192.168.0.1 by default on nettopia routers

MunsterCycling

irlrobins wrote:

winipcfg is a GUI interface for ipconfig. ipconfig should work as well.

Well I stand corrected, had never used ipconfig on a 98 machine, dug one out of the woodwork and low a behold ipconfig works a treat.

/goes to eat humble pie.... Mmmmm PIE!