# PC Networking Problems

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-networking-problems/272490>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 2, 2004, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-networking-problems/272490 "2004-11-02T03:34:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\
**Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-networking-problems/272490/21 "2004-11-03T01:43:04Z")

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> [@Guy Incognito](#):
>
> I guess you’ve checked the obvious things already, but can you confirm that both machines are using the same subnet and gateway addresses?

I think so, but I can’t remember for certain, though I think that one of the machines might not have subnet IP.

> [@](#):
>
> Just for kicks, try temporarily disabling the network cards in the device manager on both machines and reboot both machines. After both have restarted, see if you’re able to establish communications. I’m taking a wild guess that the HomeLink TCP-IP information might be conflicting with your NIC’s TCP-IP configuration.

I’ll try that tomorrow.

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**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\
**Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-networking-problems/272490/22 "2004-11-03T02:07:47Z")

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Might also double check this

> [@](#):
>
> 1. Click on the Configuration tab. Make sure that the following  
> network components are installed:

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**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\
**Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-networking-problems/272490/23 "2004-11-03T05:27:05Z")

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Where do the PCs get their IP addresses from? Hard-coded, from your ISP, or what?

If you have XP SP2, yes you probably should disable the MS firewall as a diagnostic step.

Do an IPCONFIG /all on both and post the results here pls.

Also, be aware that MS networking can take hours, literally, to discover resources on a network.

Ahhhhhhhh - reading the site further, this device uses IPX, not IP! So the IPconfig stuff is not relevant. You have to configure Netbios over IPX on both PCs. The User Manual PDF on the site is actually fairly good (and does mention win2000 BTW so it shoudl work with XP also).

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