I now have an IP address conflict - I have no idea what it is but I don't want one

[KatyMac]

I a setting up a network (I think)

It should mean that both computers are trying to use the same IP number. Maybe that's causing the network sharing problem?

Go to Control Panel and open Network Connections

Right click Wireless Network in there and click Properties

Double click the entry called "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" or similar

In the dialog box that comes up select "obtain IP automatically" but first write down any numbers currently in there in case you need them later.

You probably need to do this for both computers.

Greyriverside - fancy meeting you here

They are both on 'obtain IP automatically'

I was hoping this was the cause of the other thing, but the only reason I know for IP address conflict is if the IP numbers were chosen manually. Perhaps someone else can think of a reason - it's odd.

What IP numbers are they getting? The info from ipconfig /all might be useful

Start menu - run
type cmd (or command on windows 98)
In DOS box that comes up type ipconfig /all

Btw on the top left corner of a DOS box there is a menu and on the edit submenu you can do Mark. Then you drag the mouse over the text you want and press enter to copy it to the clipboard

DHCP & DNS servers both have the number which is a problem on one computer

Hang on I'll have a look on the other in a minute

The other one doesn't have DHCP & DNS stuff even mentioned

Just so you have some sort of idea what the different things mean, an IP address is a set of 4 numbers like 192.168.1.100. This is an "address" for a computer.

DHCP is a mechanism for assigning an IP address, so on startup a computer set to "obtain IP automatically", will broadcast a request for an IP address. The router will see this and tell it to use, say, 192.168.1.101. When the next computer requests an address it will get 192.168.1.102 and so on.

The router is acting as "a DHCP server" as it serves up the addresses. Both computers should use the router as their DHCP server, so both computers should see the same address for the DHCP server.

The router also acts as a DNS server, i.e. it translates "human readable" addresses, such as "www.mumsnet.com" to an ip address, like 213.161.73.140. Again both computers would use the router as their DNS server, so both computers should see the same address for their DNS server.

The "IP address" line should be different for each computer.

Hope this helps you understand it a little more, even if it doesn't tell you why it's going wrong.

Just a thought.

Try typing "ipconfig /renew" in the DOS box on both machines.

Well i no longer have a conflict - so it kinda worked

But I still don't have a network

I this one of those things I need to get a an in for?

I set up using the network wizard (for the 47th time)- and for the first time it recognised the other computer

Still can't see it or use it

But success (mind you I am using a cable)

But despite the cable you cannot see either computer from the other

cable from computer to router?

Do you mean recognised by the router? I thought both were already online, just not seeing each other.

No the second computer 'knew' the network name

The cable is between the 2 computers (I thought it might help - but no)

sounds like the CAM tables in the router have locked up and cifused the DHCP server... just reboot the router and then calm will return to your life

If I re-boot the router do I need to re-enter the encryptation key?

nope.. you can logon via internet explorer and do a reload.. or just pull the plug.. wait 30 seconds and reconnect..

Setting in the PC wont be affected

Fixed the IP address conflict - but I still don't have a network....stupid computer