# Help this Idiot Network a couple home computers.... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 10, 2003, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-idiot-network-a-couple-home-computers/194259 "2003-08-10T21:41:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-idiot-network-a-couple-home-computers/194259/21 "2003-08-15T17:25:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Omniscient \* > \*\ ***DeClan** , “HOST” is the label of the workgroup. When I disconnect from the internet I can still see the workgroup listing on both computers. But since the two workgroups aren’t connected at all, I can see them when I completely unplug the ethernet from the machines too. As far as the computers are concerned the workgroup only exists onj that machine. > > Why is this so fucking hard? What is wrong with my brain when it comes to this, I know alot about alot of things computer related, but this one subject I have just barely enough knowledge to be frustrated. \*\* Let me relate something from my setting up home networks so you may understand better what i meant. At some point when you ran the wizard to set up your network , it asked you to name your computer ,something familliar , mine was bugsbunny and the other was daffyduck. So while all my computers were on the same workgroup, what you called host , should be the individual name of win2k compture ,while the Win Me machine should have a separate name altogether. After reading more details as you posted them , I am about as clued out at the moment as you are. The last , and i mean the very last thing i can think of ,and I cant see why it would happen , is that you have both your computers named the very same thing , so you are in effect dialing your own number on your own telephone ,so to speak(thats conjecture). As for why its so hard , its not. Normally the wizard is run ,and five minutes later your going wow ,neat. Sorry for being so long to respond , my city was one of the ones nuked by that electrical blackout ,and only got power back several hours ago. While you said money is an issue , at this time you should look into picking up a router , I have heard prices for them have been dropping like a rock. While the wireless routers may still be pricey , the older style five port t-10 routers should be roughly between 20 and 30 bucks for a used one. Since they are practically bullet proof a used one should be just as good. Declan ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-idiot-network-a-couple-home-computers/194259/22 "2003-08-15T20:12:02Z")
**Omniscient** I agree with you 100%. I bought a router and a cable about a year ago. The procedure to hook the 2 computers together is written in 100% authentic computer bullsihit !! Yeah, I notice you are getting frustrated just as I did. I called the alleged “help” line of the company, searched Win 2000 help section (that’s a joke) and surfed the 'Net. One thing I did discover was that people who are network administrators at their job have complained how difficult it is networking their own home computers. (Search the 'Net - you’ll find info like that). Eventually, I was very happy that I could get both computers to use the DSL modem and then I quit !! This has me seriously thinking that I will **never** buy a PC anymore. The Hell with Windows and PC’s. I can see why people choose Mac. Sorry for the strong language but to say my experience was frustrating is an incredible understatement. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-idiot-network-a-couple-home-computers/194259/23 "2003-08-17T14:52:30Z")
**Omniscient** Have enabled **Netbios over TCPIP**? Even if you have, it may be getting filtered out or blocked, likely at your router. Can you check your router to see if it is fully blocking it (Port 135 IIRC) or just blocking it upstream? NB This is a major security vulnerability. You should not allow Netbios traffic outside of your LAN. **Wolf\_meister** I cannot agree. I put a second network card in my server, installed routing software and a firewall and that was that. I could spend a long time tweaking it, sure, but it works and works well. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-idiot-network-a-couple-home-computers/194259/24 "2003-08-17T16:41:32Z")
**qts** Either I had an incredible run of bad luck or you are a network maestro. I thought I knew computers rather well, wrote my own website, taught myself HTML and JavaScript (okay enough self-congratulation). **However,** trying to decipher all that network buzzword jargon and getting those settings just right was just too much for me. So, consider yourself a network maestro. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-this-idiot-network-a-couple-home-computers/194259.md?page=1)