Home networking help please

My new iPod has lead me to quickly fill the hard drive on my laptop. I've looked at the options for how to address this and have decided a wireless home network is the answer. I think all I need is an old PC (c. P3 1GHz) with a big hard drive and a wireless card and a bit of time to set it up.
I've never considered this before and it will definitely be stretching my technical skills, but I'm ready to learn. Can anyone recommend a good guide as to how to get started and just what I need to do? I seem to be able to buy what I think is a suitable spec tower PC for c. £100 and a new 250gb hard drive for £90. Am I being naive thinking it's this straight forward?

Why not simply get a USB or FireWire removable drive?
Gonna be a zillion times easier. Simply plug it in.
No need to have to mess with another computer, OS problems, networking problems, wireless cards, etc.
100 quid for 300 GB.
eBay UK External HArd Drives

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2nd MBP has messed up my home network--help please

I have a linksys wireless router. I have a MBP 1.83 gz and my MBP 2.2 GZ just arrived today. I turned them both on, both will get onto my wireless network (which is WEP protected) and then after two or three minutes neither computer can go online. Instead of showing a full strenght airport icon (which is normally shown) it shows one bar missing on both computers' airport icon. If I reset the router, I can get on one computer and be online, but as soon as I add the other computer, then I am unable to surf.
I also noticed that if I restart my new MBP I have to restart the router to be able to go on line.
I imagine there is some setting in the router causing this, but my knowledge is very limted. Any suggestions or resources would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance and I will be sure to mark your reply as helpful.
Owen Pillion

My wireless router is set up as Automatic Configuration DHCP.
Each computer works fine without the other on. If both are on, my original one works, but the new one cannot get on line.
I do not know how to get the ip configurations of my mac (I wish I did--I dont even know what that is). And I do not know how to see if both are using the same ip address or how to tell the computers to use different ones.
I know that my wireless network has been working fine. I have even used a PC notebook, been able to enter the WEP password, and surf with the MBP on. But with two MBPs--No surfing happening.

Home Networking HELP?

Hey guys. I have 1 dell laptop,and 1acer netbook, and 1 kodak all in one printer. All with wireless capabilities. We dont have a modem to connect to our Linkseys router, but I am wondering if I can still setup both pcs to wirelessly use the printer. Without a cable modem.

A) First of all, this is not as hard as it looks. Even though your router has hundreds of settings, you only need to change a few of them from the defaults, to setup the network you described. You will need to setup the router first, then your wireless computer(s), then your wireless printer.
B) Copy your router's User Guide to your computer's C: drive, so that you can easily access it.   Additionally, you will probably want to print it, because the printout is often easier to read or access.
C) Next, reset the router to factory defaults. This will get your router back to a known state.
To reset your router to factory defaults, use the following procedure:
1) Power down all computers, the router, and the modem, and unplug them from the wall.
2) Disconnect all wires from the router.
3) Power up the router and allow it to fully boot (1-2 minutes).
4) Press and hold the reset button for 30 seconds, then release it, then let the router reset and reboot (2-3 minutes).
5) Power down the router.
6) Connect one computer by wire to port 1 on the router (NOT to the internet port).
7) Power up the router and allow it to fully boot (1-2 minutes).
8) Power up the computer (if the computer has a wireless card, make sure it is off).
9) Try to ping the router. To do this, click the "Start" button > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt. A black DOS box will appear. Enter the following: "ping 192.168.1.1" (no quotes), and hit the Enter key. You will see 3 or 4 lines that start either with "Reply from ... " or "Request timed out." If you see "Reply from ...", your computer has found your router.
10) Open your browser and point it to 192.168.1.1. This will take you to your router's login page. Leave the user name blank, and in the password field, enter "admin" (with no quotes). This will take you to your router setup page. Note the version number of your firmware (usually listed near upper right corner of screen). Exit your browser.
If you get this far without problems, proceed to "ROUTER SETUP" below.
If you cannot get "Reply from ..." in step 9 above, your router is likely dead. Report back with this problem
If you get a reply in step 9, but cannot complete step 10, then either your router is dead or the firmware is corrupt. Report back with this problem.
If you need additional help, please state the router model and version, and the results of steps 9 and 10. Also, if you get any error messages, copy them exactly and report back.
*************   ROUTER SETUP   *************
To set up wireless security, you must use a computer that is wired to the router.
Where to find the router settings: The router's login password is usually on one of the "Administration" pages. The other settings are all found in the "Wireless" or the "Security" section of the router's setup pages, located at 192.168.1.1
First, give your router a unique SSID. Don't use "linksys".
Make sure "SSID Broadcast" is set to "enabled".
Next, leave the router at its default wireless settings (except for the unique SSID), and then use your pc to connect wirelessly to the router. Test your wireless Internet connection and make sure it is working correctly. You must have a properly working wireless connection before setting up wireless security.
To implement wireless security, you need to do one step at a time, then verify that you can still connect your wireless computer to the router.
Next, encrypt your wireless system using the highest level of encryption that all of your wireless devices will support. Common encryption methods are:
WEP - poor (see note below)
WPA (sometimes called PSK, or WPA with TKIP) - good
WPA2 (sometimes called PSK2, or WPA with AES) - best
WPA and WPA2 sometimes come in versions of "personal" and "enterprise". Most home users should use "personal". Also, if you have a choice between AES and TKIP, and your wireless equipment is capable of both, choose AES. With any encryption method, you will need to supply a key (sometimes called a "password" ).
The wireless devices (computers, printers, etc.) that you have will need to be set up with the SSID, encryption method, and key that matches what you entered in the router.
Retest your system and verify that your wireless Internet connection is still working correctly.
And don't forget to give your router a new login password.
Picking Passwords (keys):   You should never use a dictionary word as a password. If you use a dictionary word as a password, even WPA2 can be cracked in a few minutes. When you pick your login password and encryption key (or password or passphrase) you should use a random combination of capital letters, small letters, and numbers, but no spaces. A login password, should be 12 characters or more. WPA and WPA2 passwords should be at least 24 characters. Note: Your key, password, or passphrase must not have any spaces in it.
Most home users should have their routers set so that "remote management" of the router is disabled. If you must have this option enabled, then your login password must be increased to a minumum of 24 random characters.
One additional issue is that Windows XP requires a patch to run WPA2. The patch is located in SP3, so you will need SP3 to run WPA2 in Win XP. Vista already supports WPA2.
Note:
WEP is no longer recommended. The FBI has demonstrated that WEP can be cracked in just a few minutes using software tools that are readily available over the Internet. Even a long random character password will not protect you with WEP. You should be using WPA or preferably WPA2 encryption.
Message Edited by toomanydonuts on 01-20-2010 03:56 AM

Verizon DSL Newbie needs Home Networking Help

I am a brand new Verizon DSL user (on my i-MAC G3 OS Panther) and I would love to be able to access the same DSL connection with my i-Book G4 (also OS Panther with an Airport Extreme card built in).
I tried looking this up on Verizon's website and quickly became totally confused. Verizon seems to think MAC users are second class citizens.
Would someone be willing to tell me exactly how to do this? Do I need a router? Do I need an Airport Base Station?
Thanks much, and please forgive my ignorance.

I have a verizon westell dsl wireless router which is working fine when the 3 macs (1 g3 powermac, 2 ibook g4's - all panther) on the network are hard wired.. but when you try to connect wirelessly, the ip address found in the TCPIP DHCP is a 169 address.. not 192.. and even though it seems to see the router.. you cannot connect to the internet. Anyone have a clue... I've tried manually typing in a 192 addy in the range which for a moment fools Airport and it states in Network Status that is's connected to the internet.. but it's not... I've also done the old un plug the router. restart the mac.. turn airport on and off drill and again.. nothing...I'm stumped... At one time we were able to connect wirelessly to this router.. but now no...HELP PLEASE!

Why does Itunes encounter a problem and stops every time I try to sync my home videos - help please

Why does Itunes encounter a problem every time I try to sync my home videos - it just won't sync them - help please !!!!

Re-installing iTunes wont erase your folders, unless your iTunes is a very old version pre-iTunes 9 series.
I would suggest to download the latest iTunes, it would solve your problem as in this earlier post

Adobe Programs: Conflicts and Networking help please

I don't know if this is the proper place to post but this is what I'm looking for. Any suggestions, thoughts or help would greatly be appreciated.
We are researching the possibility of using an outside IT Consultant for our computers and Adobe Software. Our IS team (about 10 people), while very good with networking PCs, are not familiar with Adobe software and how they interact with the hardware/computers and networks.
We have been struggling for a few years to get our machines to be at their best performance and efficiency, especially on large tradeshow graphics. We have had crashes and glitches since CS3, but we understand that their are many variables and they are not just Adobe product issues.
We are a large company but have only 3 designers. So we are trying to find our own help and do some of our own research on a resolution.
We are looking for someone who is PC mainly, but if you have a recommendation for anyone that networks macs also that would be great. We are currently on PCs with hopes of someday moving to macs.
If anyone knows of any business or independent contractor in the North Central Florida area please let me know.

We contacted Adobe but they said they can only give over the phone help and will not refer us to anyone.

Routes, gateways, and networks -- Help Please

Hi Linux gurus:
I have a problem that I know you will help me resolve...
I have two network cards in my Linux box.
1. public network:
10/100
192.168.1.102
default gw: 192.168.1.1
netmask: 255.255.255.0
I want this one routed to my router for internet/public use
2. private network 1000mpbs
192.168.2.181
default gw: none
netmask: 255.255.255.0
I don't want this one routed at all. It is used for backups, moving files, etc and is called by individual servers using /etc/hosts.
Now problem is that I can't get out and/or in to the box. It appears as though the default gateway on this system is 192.168.2.254. I set up the network via the gui and it appeared to be working, but alas it is not. It looks like things are only talking via the 192.168.2.X network, and that is not what I want...and from the outside world, nothing at all is talking to it.
Below is my ifconfig -a and my netstat -rn
Please help!
eth0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:18:F3:E8:29:2A
BROADCAST MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:0 (0.0 b) TX bytes:0 (0.0 b)
Interrupt:193 Base address:0x8000
eth1 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:90:27:AC:7C:4D
inet addr:192.168.1.102 Bcast:192.168.1.255 Mask:255.255.255.0
UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:5339 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:1891 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:588251 (574.4 KiB) TX bytes:530473 (518.0 KiB)
eth2 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:0F:B5:43:16:D0
inet addr:192.168.2.181 Bcast:192.168.2.255 Mask:255.255.255.0
UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:300106 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:617831 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:28009736 (26.7 MiB) TX bytes:585354764 (558.2 MiB)
Interrupt:217 Base address:0xc000
lo Link encap:Local Loopback
inet addr:127.0.0.1 Mask:255.0.0.0
UP LOOPBACK RUNNING MTU:16436 Metric:1
RX packets:816528 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:816528 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:0
RX bytes:102034952 (97.3 MiB) TX bytes:102034952 (97.3 MiB)
Kernel IP routing table
Destination Gateway Genmask Flags MSS Window irtt Iface
192.168.2.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 eth2
192.168.1.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 eth1
169.254.0.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.0.0 U 0 0 0 eth2
0.0.0.0 192.168.2.254 0.0.0.0 UG 0 0 0 eth2

Ok...I did the following:
route add default gw 192.168.1.1 eth1
route delete default gw 192.168.2.254 eth2
I am able to get out to the outside world and it seems to work fine, but just curious:
1. How do I keep this from reverting again? (I could put this in my own script, but would rather not hack it, but do it right)
2. Are my routing tables below correct now (it works I understand, but want to ensure it is done correctly).
3. What is this route for (in the below table) and is it needed?
169.254.0.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.0.0 U 0 0 0 eth2
4. Since i'm relying on /etc/hosts files for the systems on the 192.168.2.X interface should there even be a route for this subnet?
updated routing table:
Destination Gateway Genmask Flags MSS Window irtt Iface
192.168.2.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 eth2
192.168.1.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 eth1
169.254.0.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.0.0 U 0 0 0 eth2
0.0.0.0 192.168.1.1 0.0.0.0 UG 0 0 0 eth1

CS5 Win7 Networking Help Please

I'm a home-based designer who needs nework help. I have CS5 Master Collection on a Win7 (Home Prem) computer which is peer-to-peer networked with 2 other Win computers (98 & XP). Win Exporer has no problem navigating anywhere on the network from any computer. However, Bridge CS5 on the Win7 computer (i5 cpu, 2.7GHX, 8GB Ram) shows "Lock" icons on all network locations; hangs when any network location is selected. Also hangs when launched from within Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign. I've searched these forums and tried various fixes having to do with security, permissions, firewall rules, clearing caches, etc. No luck. Adobe Support won't help me as it doesn't cover "network issues" such as mine. Their enlightened suggestion was to "move the files you want to browse onto the computer where CS5 is installed." Any real suggestions from anyone would be greatly appreciated. I'm not a programmer but I can usually doink my way to understanding.

Steve— Thanks for your suggestion. I didn't think to remap shared network folders, duh. (And even after Win7 Explorer forced me to do it to become part of network!) Previous versions of Windows allowed me as "owner" (administrator) to see, read, and write out of the root directory and all the other hard drives installed on networked computers. Win7 apparently doesn't or discourages it, even on the older computers, it seems (at least for amateur net administrators like myself). From Win7 Explorer I can and did remap target directories on the remote drives located on my Win98 and Win XP computers. Unfortunately now BridgeCS5 (on my Win7 computer) shows these remapped icons with big red "X"s through them. But these remote directories can be browsed and files manipulated. I still can't get BridgeCS5 on the Win7 computer to open from within PS, AI, or ID. But MiniBridge now works from within PS. If you have suggestions for fixing this BridgeCS5 functionality in AI or ID I'd appreciate it. I'll revisit your knowledge base and forums for this info because I'm spoiled by the way BridegeCS3 works on my WinXP computer. Otherwise I'll find ways to use Bridge outside of AI, ID, and the rest. Thanks again for helping me to get MasterSuiteCS5 to more closely fit the way I work. —Phil Smeiles

I downloaded the IOS6 update and now it wont connect to my home wifi HELP PLEASE!

I downloaded the new update and now it wont conect me to my home Wifi PLEASE HELP! when i click to connect with my wifi it brings up this apple page saying" try another search the page i searched for cannot be found" idk what to do!

Have you tried starting FF in safe mode and then disabling all add-ons and extensions?
Then restart the browser enabling each add-on one by one. I did this and found that Stumbleupon toolbar was the problem for me as my browser was freezing as soon as I started it and going into not responding but with this currently disabled the browser works fine. Just hope there is an update for Stumble soon.

Apple Remote app on wired network: help please

I am trying to use the remote app to control my apple tv. I noticed that my bedroom apple tv unit was showing up in my app but not the living room apple tv. After further inspection I found that the ethernet cable was not plugged into the bedroom apple tv unit so I was on wifi to control the apple tv.
We do a lot of streaming in my house and having 4 apple tv's on wifi would just kill the streaming. From what I see, the device(iPhone) using the remote app and the Apple TV you want to control have to be on the same wifi network.
Is there a way to use the remote app when the apple tv's are connected via ethernet cable? They are still on the same network but the app doesn't recognize them if they are on ethernet.
Basically if I unplug my ethernet cables from the apple tv's the app works but when the ethernet is plugged in the app doest see the apple tv's present. Any way around this issue>

I am definitely on the same network. After about an hour I finally got it to work. My apple tv was plugged into my apple wifi router which is connected to a 24 port switch. I connected the apple tv directly to the switch and it came up instantly. I then plugged it back into the apple router and it continued to work. I am not sure why none of the apple tv's would not initially work when plugged in directly to the router since it is the same network. So I did this to all the apple tv's and they are all now working.
Home sharing was enabled on all the apple tv's. The only thing I did was connect to switch first(got a good connection via the app) then reconnected it to the apple wifi router.

J6480 wireless and network help please!

I have an officejet J6480 that has an error in printing system when printing wireless. Everything is configured correctly and my printer reads the router and connects. If this problem cannot be fixed, can i use an ethernet connection directly from printer to router and get it to work. I tried this but also got a failure to print message. Please help asap! Thank you

hello,
first, cancel the print jobs
then try to restart the print spooler of the computer (click start>run... then type services.msc)
look for print spooler in the list
right click on the print spooler and click restart
if that doesnt work, then do a partial reset on the printer
unplug the power cord from the back of the printer without pressing the on button
press and hold # and 3 and wait for 10 seconds
plug the power cord back
wait for the printer screen to lit up then release the # and 3
try to ping the printer
try to print a test page again
keep me informed..

Button not working to change to home page help please

Need help iPhone 4 button not working to go back to home page can I reset

sounds like it's time to visit Apple for an out of warranty replacement.

IMac / PC networking help please!

Hello
I have a PC with Outlook and an iMac with Entourage and a printer connected. I would like to be able to sync the Outlook calendar on the PC over to Entourage, and use the printer connected to the iMac on my PC.
I have an ethernet cable which I have connected to the ports on both computers and have looked at network settings but am at a loss as to how to set this up.
Is there a quick and cheap way of doing what I want to do with the set up described above?
Many thanks
Martyn.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh2054.html
That article pretty much sums it up. YOu have to make sure that you assign the two computers IP addresses that are on the same network and subnet. (10.10.10.1 and 10.10.10.2 for example... subnet 255.255.255.0 on both). Then those instructions should work.
To share the printer look here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh1770.html
As for the Entourage/Outlook... I can't help with that but I'm guessing without an Exchange server, you're going to be jumping through some serious hoops to get it to do what you want. Maybe try Microsoft's support site.
Also, connecting two computers without a hub or a router is pretty limiting. You'd be better off buying a broadband router, unless you still use dial up... then I guess this solution is ok.

Home Networking help needed.

All: I am refinishing the basement and installed some ethernet to 2 walls. I outlet for a TV (when I buy it) and another for a PC (for if the resident needs it). I also want to have my wireless from upstairs be a strong signal.
So I need to know the device that will:
1) Pick up my existing wireless signal and repeat it for the basement rooms wirelessly.
2) Have 2 ethernet ports available for the hard wiring I put in.
The location for this in the drop ceiling has an 110V outlet readily available next to it.
Can someone guide me what I need to purchase to complete this and test the wiring (connectorization) I did?
Thanks a ton: Ed

I tend to like Ubiqiti (http://www.ubnt.com/ ) products but they can be difficult to find. These are dedicated APs, they do no routing and you'd need to also get an Ethernet switch (any old switch will do) to take the one hardwire drop from upstairs and provide a few wired ports (2 for the walljacks and 1 for the AP) downstairs. I linked to a switch below.
Also nearly any wireless router can be reconfigured as a combo AP/switch, in which case I'd just reccommend something with stable firmware. (This can be hard, you just have to read LOTS of reviews, or find something on the DD-WRT compatibility list and flash the router with that firmware. Note that DD-WRT will void a router's warranty, but if you put it into a cheap router it's usually worth the risk.)
D-Link Green Ethernet 5-Port 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet Switch
Model: DGS-2205 | SKU: 7907704
This 5-port 10/100/1000 Gigabit switch provides an effective solution for expanding your Gigabit network. Power-saving features help make your network environmentally friendly without compromising performance.
4.1 Read reviews (16)
Sale: $34.99
*disclaimer* I am not now, nor have I ever been, an employee of Best Buy, Geek Squad, nor of any of their affiliate, parent, or subsidiary companies.

WRT160n set up trouble in existing network -help please

It's a small business office. Cable modem comes into a Netgear smart switch, which distributes LAN to desktops and a older Wireless router.
So I hook up the router as directed, setup won't complete... error no router found.
Of course 192.168.1.1 is the netgear switch, so that's not available.
Grr.
I tried seemingly everything. Plugged it into the cable modem Lan ports, plugged it into the Netgear Lan posrt, put it in serial with a computer into the Netgear. Blah.
There's no usb connector to port into.
Ideas?
Thanks in advance!

Open an Internet Explorer browser page on your wired computer(desktop).In the address bar type 192.168.1.1 and press Enter...Leave Username blank & in Password use admin in lower case...Under the Setup tab,the router ip address is 192.168.1.1...So change it to 192.168.1.2.Power cycle the entire network and it should work.

Home networking help please

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