do i need different ip address's to network 2 windows xp computers

25 Nov 2006 2:53 PM

mooner

Hi!
Im having real trouble networking my 2 home computers even tho they are both
windows xp. have run thru both network setup wizards etc but they just cant
seem to find each other.
i have just read that they need different ip address's, is this true and if
so how do i change one??
thanks in advance

25 Nov 2006 5:17 PM

Steve Winograd [MVP]

In article <244BC68C-4449-483F-B073-43BEDE64A***@microsoft.com>,
mooner <moo***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>Hi!
>Im having real trouble networking my 2 home computers even tho they are both
>windows xp. have run thru both network setup wizards etc but they just cant
>seem to find each other.
>i have just read that they need different ip address's, is this true and if
>so how do i change one??
>thanks in advance

Every computer on a network needs its own, unique IP address. If your
computers had the same IP address, there would be an error message on
both computers reporting an IP address conflict.

I suspect that something else is causing the problem. Make sure that
any firewall program (Norton, McAfee, ZoneAlarm, PC-cillin, etc) is
configured to allow access by other computers on the local area
network.

To configure a computer's IP address:

1. Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections > Network
Connections.

2. Right-click the local area network connection.

3. Click Properties.

4. Click "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)".

5. Click Properties.

For a typical home network using a broadband router, don't assign IP
addresses. Select "Obtain an IP address automatically". The router
will assign a unique IP address to each computer.

If you want to assign IP addresses manually, select "Use the following
IP address" and fill in the boxes below.

--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

1 Dec 2006 1:50 AM

JeffS

What I consider an easier IP address check:

Click Start, then Run. In the box that comes up type "cmd". At the DOS
prompt type "ipconfig". Viola, Ip address, etc...

Left out: if the "Automatically Assign IP" (default) is already checked,
there SHOULD be no way duplicate IP address can be assigned (even if a
computer has a static (assigned) address). If the box was clecked, you may
want to check to see if the DHCP service is running. Again, I find the
easiest way is to Start/Run. In the box type mmc. File/Open services. look
for DHCP and make sure it is started. These are system service so be very
careful!!!!!!

Jeff

Show quoteHide quote

"Steve Winograd [MVP]" wrote:

> In article <244BC68C-4449-483F-B073-43BEDE64A***@microsoft.com>,
> mooner <moo***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> >Hi!
> >Im having real trouble networking my 2 home computers even tho they are both
> >windows xp. have run thru both network setup wizards etc but they just cant
> >seem to find each other.
> >i have just read that they need different ip address's, is this true and if
> >so how do i change one??
> >thanks in advance
>
> Every computer on a network needs its own, unique IP address. If your
> computers had the same IP address, there would be an error message on
> both computers reporting an IP address conflict.
>
> I suspect that something else is causing the problem. Make sure that
> any firewall program (Norton, McAfee, ZoneAlarm, PC-cillin, etc) is
> configured to allow access by other computers on the local area
> network.
>
> To configure a computer's IP address:
>
> 1. Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections > Network
> Connections.
>
> 2. Right-click the local area network connection.
>
> 3. Click Properties.
>
> 4. Click "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)".
>
> 5. Click Properties.
>
> For a typical home network using a broadband router, don't assign IP
> addresses. Select "Obtain an IP address automatically". The router
> will assign a unique IP address to each computer.
>
> If you want to assign IP addresses manually, select "Use the following
> IP address" and fill in the boxes below.
> --
> Best Wishes,
> Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)
>
> Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
> for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
> addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.
>
> Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
>