Why can't one computer see the other?

4 Jan 2007 9:43 PM

CJ

I have 2 computers set up on a network. Computer 1 can "see" computer 2, but
computer 2 cannot see (or ping) computer 1. Both computers are connected to
a switch, which is connected to the DSL modem. Each computer is configured
with a static (manual) IP.

Computer 1 is brand new, File and Print sharing *is* turned on on both
computers.

I guess I don't know what to try to get both computers seeing each other.

4 Jan 2007 10:07 PM

Richard G. Harper

The most likely cause is that both computers are picking up a "public"
Internet IP address, if you have both connected to a switch then to the DSL
modem. Your best bet would be to get rid of the switch and get a router,
connect the router to the DSL modem, then connect the PCs to the router and
let them automatically pick up addresses. That will at least get them onto
the same physical network segment and let you see if you have other issues.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rghar***@gmail.com
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Show quoteHide quote

"CJ" <C*@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:DFF71EA4-9349-40F4-8BA9-0B1DD4024533@microsoft.com...
>I have 2 computers set up on a network. Computer 1 can "see" computer 2,
>but
> computer 2 cannot see (or ping) computer 1. Both computers are connected
> to
> a switch, which is connected to the DSL modem. Each computer is
> configured
> with a static (manual) IP.
>
> Computer 1 is brand new, File and Print sharing *is* turned on on both
> computers.
>
> I guess I don't know what to try to get both computers seeing each other.

4 Jan 2007 11:27 PM

CJ

Thank you for your help.

We had the static IP set up on the old computer because having a modem and
router were causing some problems. (Modem is technically a "router" -
despite having only one LAN port -and having a router behind a router was
mucking up our Remote Desktop access, thus the switch instead of router)

I changed from static IP's to automatically assigned by the Modem, and now
both computers can see each other. However, my Remote Desktop is not
working. We need to remote in to Computer 1 from a satellite clinic.

So now that needs "troubleshot" - note that I had not tried to remote in to
computer 1 at all until I got this network problem sorted out, so it may have
been "broken" all along. Will post elsewhere for help on this problem.
Incoming Remote Desktop worked on the old computer, configured with the
static IP's.

Show quoteHide quote

"Richard G. Harper" wrote:

> The most likely cause is that both computers are picking up a "public"
> Internet IP address, if you have both connected to a switch then to the DSL
> modem. Your best bet would be to get rid of the switch and get a router,
> connect the router to the DSL modem, then connect the PCs to the router and
> let them automatically pick up addresses. That will at least get them onto
> the same physical network segment and let you see if you have other issues.
>
> --
> Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rghar***@gmail.com
> * NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> * The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
>
> "CJ" <C*@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:DFF71EA4-9349-40F4-8BA9-0B1DD4024533@microsoft.com...
> >I have 2 computers set up on a network. Computer 1 can "see" computer 2,
> >but
> > computer 2 cannot see (or ping) computer 1. Both computers are connected
> > to
> > a switch, which is connected to the DSL modem. Each computer is
> > configured
> > with a static (manual) IP.
> >
> > Computer 1 is brand new, File and Print sharing *is* turned on on both
> > computers.
> >
> > I guess I don't know what to try to get both computers seeing each other.
>
>
>

5 Jan 2007 11:10 AM

Bob Willard

CJ wrote:

> I have 2 computers set up on a network. Computer 1 can "see" computer 2, but
> computer 2 cannot see (or ping) computer 1. Both computers are connected to
> a switch, which is connected to the DSL modem. Each computer is configured
> with a static (manual) IP.
>
> Computer 1 is brand new, File and Print sharing *is* turned on on both
> computers.
>
> I guess I don't know what to try to get both computers seeing each other.

One-way connections are usually caused by a bad, or badly-configured, firewall;
in your case, on computer 1. To debug the problem, disable Windows Firewall
and remove (uninstall) any other firewalls.

And, since you use static IPAs, check that both are in the same subnet;
typically IPA-1 = x.y.z.1 and IPA-2 = x.y.z.2, with both masks = 255.255.255.0

--
Cheers, Bob