Odd network results from two installed adapters, wired/wirelss

I currently have two XP Media Center desktops behind a Belkin router. Each
system has both wired and wireless adapters, both are now enabled. I am
unable to establish a network connection with the wired adapters, but finally
got the (old setup) Wireless adapters to communicate and transfer data
between the machines. I want to disconnect and remove the Wireless adapters,
and keep the Wired adapters. I can't seem to establish any network
connectivity with the Wired adapters, and can't remove the Wireless until I
do. Frustrating! ;-)

Without giving too much information, I will attempt to sketch the situation.



Connection Type: Dynamic
Subnet Mask : 255.255.255.0
Routers IP : 192.168.2.1
Modems IP : 192.168.0.2
ISP Default Gateway : 192.168.0.1
DNS addresses : 192.168.0.1. and 205.171.3.65

All information was entered into the Belkin router automatically during its
"Quick Installation" mode, using the software CD.

As of the router setup, both Belkin Pre-N wireless adapters could access
both the internet and the internal network. An issue came up with an
unexpected reduction in network status speed. It was suppose to be 300Mbps,
the Pre-N had been 108Mbps, but this N1 was reporting the G speed of 54Mbps.
I phoned Belkin technical support.

A short history. Both systems came with pre-installed Intel 10/100 wired
adapters. Due to distance issue, I had to use wireless. I have since moved,
and can now utilize the wired adapters, and meant to when I had time to set
it up. Then the Pre-N router burnt out and Belkin replaced it with the
'upgrade" N1.

Short story, after "troubleshooting" the network speed issue with Belkin
technician, I was advised to "upgrade" the software on each Pre-N adapter, to
'coincide' with the new N1 router. Huh? lol
Anyway, I set a manual restore point and proceeded to do just that in one
system, the other was waiting with the download package on the desktop. After
the installation and a reboot, I was unable to acquire an IP address for that
adapter. When I attempted to do a System Restore that system experienced a
fatal error and I had to do a Repair of the OS.

So, I did so, and once the OS was "repaired" I went ahead and hooked it up
with a cable to the router. I had already done so with the other system as it
has a faster theoretical network speed and browsed faster. I disabled each
Wireless adapter in the Network Connection folder. Each system has a reliable
internet connection without any of the intermittent disconnections I use to
receive on the Wireless adapter. (My major issue and reason for wanting to go
wired)

After setting the Repaired system up, recreating the proper accounts on both
systems for a Workgroup network, all the same accounts/passwords, (I deleted
my 'old' account on the unbroken computer because I changed the User Name of
the account on the Repaired system, and it needed to match for networking
purposes, as I always change the Access this Computer from the Network
setting, from the Everyone group to Authenticated Users group, in Local
Security Settings)

I then attempted to access data I had stored on my second system, yet when I
opened my Network Places in the Repaired computer, nothing was listed there.
I used the Run box to attempt to connect via the path, and received an error
stating the Server did not exist or I did not have permissions and to check
with the Administrator. lol

I then checked connectivity, pinged the Modem, the Router, and well known
websites. All has solid connectivity. I then attempted to ping what I thought
were each IP address for each computer. Nothing.

I then used ipconfig /all to find out the IP addresses. Much to my surprise
they were not only high on the list of avaiable IP addresses, but not in
ordere. I use WPA encryption and MAC address lists to allow only the
computers listed to connect to the router.

I then went into my routers configuration pages to check on the IP addresses
assigned.

Repaired computer has two: 192.168.2.4 and 192.168.2.5
Other computer has two : 192.168.2.3 and 192.168.2.7

My address range is: 192.168.2.2 to 192.168.2.100

Finally, I have something to work with, but am extremely puzzled. Why are
these IP addresses assigned as they are above? I thought a DHCP Server
assigns in a series starting at the lowest, and up until the last system is
assigned, not this oddly sequenced addressing.

I have a firewall activated in the router. Encryption is WPA and locked
tightly. I had used a MAC address Allow list to control which computers could
hook up to the network, regardless of Wired or Wireless. Cool feature by the
way.

Also, I finally took one further step: I enabled the Wireless adapters. My
network is now working in those adapters, but nothing on the Wired adapters,
not even a ping. I am able to freely see and access my resources on both
system as long as I keep the Wireless adapters enabled. As soon as I disable
them, network connectivity is finished. I want to remove these adapters from
the computers completely. I don't need two adapters in desktops any longer.
Not in this location anyway. lol

Sorry this is so long. I really tried keeping it short. I hope it isn't too
confusing, that I outlined it clearly enough. I understand what I mean to
say, but I hope you experts follow my distorted network situation. I already
rewrote this three times and am going to send it as it is now. I do apologize
most sincerely if I over described or didn't explain it in correct order or
format.

Thank you to anyone who wishes to respond and assist me in straightening out
whatever I have done wrong. Any further correspondence shouldn't be so long.

seree" wrote:

> I currently have two XP Media Center desktops behind a Belkin router. Each
> system has both wired and wireless adapters, both are now enabled. I am
> unable to establish a network connection with the wired adapters, but finally
> got the (old setup) Wireless adapters to communicate and transfer data
> between the machines. I want to disconnect and remove the Wireless adapters,
> and keep the Wired adapters. I can't seem to establish any network
> connectivity with the Wired adapters, and can't remove the Wireless until I
> do. Frustrating! ;-)
>
> Without giving too much information, I will attempt to sketch the situation.
>
>
>
> Connection Type: Dynamic
> Subnet Mask : 255.255.255.0
> Routers IP : 192.168.2.1
> Modems IP : 192.168.0.2
> ISP Default Gateway : 192.168.0.1
> DNS addresses : 192.168.0.1. and 205.171.3.65
>
> All information was entered into the Belkin router automatically during its
> "Quick Installation" mode, using the software CD.
>
> As of the router setup, both Belkin Pre-N wireless adapters could access
> both the internet and the internal network. An issue came up with an
> unexpected reduction in network status speed. It was suppose to be 300Mbps,
> the Pre-N had been 108Mbps, but this N1 was reporting the G speed of 54Mbps.
> I phoned Belkin technical support.
>
> A short history. Both systems came with pre-installed Intel 10/100 wired
> adapters. Due to distance issue, I had to use wireless. I have since moved,
> and can now utilize the wired adapters, and meant to when I had time to set
> it up. Then the Pre-N router burnt out and Belkin replaced it with the
> 'upgrade" N1.
>
> Short story, after "troubleshooting" the network speed issue with Belkin
> technician, I was advised to "upgrade" the software on each Pre-N adapter, to
> 'coincide' with the new N1 router. Huh? lol
> Anyway, I set a manual restore point and proceeded to do just that in one
> system, the other was waiting with the download package on the desktop. After
> the installation and a reboot, I was unable to acquire an IP address for that
> adapter. When I attempted to do a System Restore that system experienced a
> fatal error and I had to do a Repair of the OS.
>
> So, I did so, and once the OS was "repaired" I went ahead and hooked it up
> with a cable to the router. I had already done so with the other system as it
> has a faster theoretical network speed and browsed faster. I disabled each
> Wireless adapter in the Network Connection folder. Each system has a reliable
> internet connection without any of the intermittent disconnections I use to
> receive on the Wireless adapter. (My major issue and reason for wanting to go
> wired)
>
> After setting the Repaired system up, recreating the proper accounts on both
> systems for a Workgroup network, all the same accounts/passwords, (I deleted
> my 'old' account on the unbroken computer because I changed the User Name of
> the account on the Repaired system, and it needed to match for networking
> purposes, as I always change the Access this Computer from the Network
> setting, from the Everyone group to Authenticated Users group, in Local
> Security Settings)
>
> I then attempted to access data I had stored on my second system, yet when I
> opened my Network Places in the Repaired computer, nothing was listed there.
> I used the Run box to attempt to connect via the path, and received an error
> stating the Server did not exist or I did not have permissions and to check
> with the Administrator. lol
>
> I then checked connectivity, pinged the Modem, the Router, and well known
> websites. All has solid connectivity. I then attempted to ping what I thought
> were each IP address for each computer. Nothing.
>
> I then used ipconfig /all to find out the IP addresses. Much to my surprise
> they were not only high on the list of avaiable IP addresses, but not in
> ordere. I use WPA encryption and MAC address lists to allow only the
> computers listed to connect to the router.
>
> I then went into my routers configuration pages to check on the IP addresses
> assigned.
>
> Repaired computer has two: 192.168.2.4 and 192.168.2.5
> Other computer has two : 192.168.2.3 and 192.168.2.7
>
> My address range is: 192.168.2.2 to 192.168.2.100
>
> Finally, I have something to work with, but am extremely puzzled. Why are
> these IP addresses assigned as they are above? I thought a DHCP Server
> assigns in a series starting at the lowest, and up until the last system is
> assigned, not this oddly sequenced addressing.
>
> I have a firewall activated in the router. Encryption is WPA and locked
> tightly. I had used a MAC address Allow list to control which computers could
> hook up to the network, regardless of Wired or Wireless. Cool feature by the
> way.
>
> Also, I finally took one further step: I enabled the Wireless adapters. My
> network is now working in those adapters, but nothing on the Wired adapters,
> not even a ping. I am able to freely see and access my resources on both
> system as long as I keep the Wireless adapters enabled. As soon as I disable
> them, network connectivity is finished. I want to remove these adapters from
> the computers completely. I don't need two adapters in desktops any longer.
> Not in this location anyway. lol
>
> Sorry this is so long. I really tried keeping it short. I hope it isn't too
> confusing, that I outlined it clearly enough. I understand what I mean to
> say, but I hope you experts follow my distorted network situation. I already
> rewrote this three times and am going to send it as it is now. I do apologize
> most sincerely if I over described or didn't explain it in correct order or
> format.
>
> Thank you to anyone who wishes to respond and assist me in straightening out
> whatever I have done wrong. Any further correspondence shouldn't be so long.
>

I couldn't post for a long time! I don't know what the issue was, but it
works now.

I wanted to explain the resolution of my issue, even though nobody here
helped me.

I followed all the steps in PChuck's network pages and found my answer.
Thank you Chuck for all your work on that website. I used the browstat
utility and discovered both machines were trying to be Master Browser. Of
course this caused a huge conflict.

The major resolution was my Panda firewall. It placed an extra component in
the connection Properties called the Panda NDIS IM Filter.

In the Wireless Connection it had caused an obvious loss of connectivity,
which caused immediate need for investigation. However, it allowed
connectivity in the wired connection, but stopped any network connectivity.

Once I disabled this Panda component in the Properties, I successfully
reestablished my Wired network connectivity and was finally able to disable
the wireless connection.

I located this information at PChuck's network website by browsing the
questions and answers here. Again, thank you Chuck for all your help and all
your work in providing that information to those who look.

Seree