Computer question -Windows XP Problem (Page 2)

O.k. but I would argue that it is amazing that home users feel they have the skills to set up a viable network and build a computer from the ground up, and transfer information between computers. These are not basic skills. In this case if someone has the ability to do such things, then maybe they can and should learn command line and discover how the computer really works/communicates.

I didn't give credit to mac. I kused linux and unix way before OS X. Just aying OS X is user friendly. Wouldn't recommend unix for a home user


Also...format C: works great, you just did the wrong step of putting windows back on.


(this is all meant in good humor)....(or bad)

Again, I love the debate here! To give your arguments some frame of reference for my particular situation, let me give you some of my computer background...

Now I don't claim to be a computer guru like most of you replying to this forum, but I did win a county programming contest at the age of 12!

I have no problem with command line. I started using UNIX in college because we programmed many of our own geographic information systems algorithms in C using emacs on Sun stations with a Unix OS. I then did undergraduate research on earthquake data using software that was managed through a command line interface in unix as well (at the moment I can't remember the software...)

I taught myself Access when it was Access 1.0, and with that bitty knowledge (and a project that I admitted in the interview didn't quite work...) I landed a temporary job at a company that produces a computerized maintainance management system for hospital/health care based industries (and it's also used at the NYSE) to help track maintainance of all the machinery there. I wasn't a main programmer, but debugged, Y2K proofed a lot of existing code and learned a lot about database programming in the interim, as well as my own (i.e. committee of one) project programming handheld barcode scanners that interfaced with the database system.

So...while I don't make a living at computers, I fancy myself a little better than your average consumer.

OK, having said all this, what really PISSES ME OFF about this problem, is that prior to adding this 3rd maching, I had a perfectly functional network consisting of two computers, a Win 98 as teh desktop receiving a DSL line with 4 port Lynxis USB hub (spelling?) networking with a laptop running Windows XP. Now granted...mostly I just plugged in cables, followed diagrams adn called tech support a few times, but still, it works just fine.

So why does adding a 3rd, Win XP Pro computer NOT WORK AT ALL!!!!! (The other two are still on speaking terms...)

i would not be so irritated at Windows/Microsoft/the man if the product seemed to work consistently...but it sure doesn't seem that way to me.

I have managed to not turn on the new computer ALL DAY and occupied myself instead with my BICYCLE. I am embarassed to admit that the last time I checked, the 3rd computer is now not even communicating with the other two, even though it is accessing the DSL just fine.

Sigh. Yes, there are many finer points I don't understand, but why is 3 computers a gazillion times more complex than two????

Oh yeah, for what it's worth, the current desktop was also built by moi, and the one prior to that was built by a friend, but I swapped many, many parts before it went to the silicon valley in the sky...

Carry on, everyone...

Edited by AdventureBear 2006-03-17 6:26 PM

BUt then why does my lap top (running win xp home) seem to communicate just fine with the Win 98 machine?

What if I took my new desktop (XP Pro), and ran the router and modem through that, then hooked my my old dinosaur back to it in order to finish copying files?

Why are you running a router/modem through anything. Now, I didn't read a lot of detail, but it should be like this.


Modem ---> Router using Ethernet. --> Switch/hub ---> each computer also using ethernet.

Or maybe i'm missing something, too tired to read

Modem -> Router/Switch in One -> Each Computer

Sorry if I'm not explaining it well. Like I said, 2 computers worked just fine. Plugged the 3rd one in the next port and we ended up with this thread.

More details:

Verizon DSL line -> Modem (Westell 2200) via Ethernet to -> Lynksys Wireless Router/Switch BEFW11S4 (with 4 addl Ethernet ports) -> #1 Win 98 Computer, #2 Print Server dealie right on printer, #3 New computer

Sorry, no USB at all.

One thing that really irks me about Verizon DSL for example, is that they only give you "dummy" instructions, then when you call technical support, they take you through the configuration screens to set things up. Why didn't they just give you those instructions in the first place, instead of loading crappy Verizon software on the computer that takes up space and doesn't work anyway!

OK, another hour wasted on this today. Time for something more productive to do. New plan tomorrow/trouble shooting tomorrow. I'm getting close to just chuckign the old computer out the 2nd story window right next to me.

OK, so I've come to accept the fact, that for practical purposes, I know nothing about home networking. The computers are not talking to each other, so it might as well not exist. So I did the next most logical thing. I moved the DSL model/wirless router combination lock stock & barrel to my new computer. Just unplugged the network cable from dinosaur-age computer and plugged it into space age computer after unplugging all non-functioning accessories. All I can say is...the DSL line is obviosly working because I am able to type this message to you.

I am not even going to try and hook up my other 2 computers or my printer tonight, maybe not even tomorrow. I'm just going to enjoy pretending that I've got a computer that works.