Solved Network MESS with Win-8/Dell

oldbill

New Member
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Network problems with new Win-8/Dell

Have bought new Dell Inspiron 3137 laptop w/ Win-8 and Motorola Surfboard cable modem.

First Problem : Find that Dell will not accept connection by other computers on home network over wi-fi or Ethernet (both other networked computers ask for Login/password each attempt - which has not been setup), Dell can initiate connection successfully over wi-fi. All computers can access internet so not a modem problem.

2nd problem : Week later installed "Virtual-Box" v4.12.18 and Win-Xp on Dell as alternate OS but when run Xp cannot connect to anything (but network settings do indicated as "connected" but received packet count is 0) and I don't know what/where the problem is.

Network consists of two desktop computers: one old Dell GX280 running Win-Xp, one ASUS/Intel home-built running Vista Business, one network archive HD, one Brother network printer.

Connection order:
1) Cable modem (10-Gbps service)
2) Netgear router for wi-fi,
3) Netgear 8-port hub,
4) Computers, etc, hardwired on RJ-45 cables

I have tried network configuration & setup on ALL computers as this seems the most likely trouble spot, but my knowledge is inadequate, so - any HELP or even suggestions appreciated! <<<<

THANKS - OldBill


:cry: :( :mad:
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3137
    CPU
    Intel
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    2-Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    ?
    Browser
    firefox-11
    Antivirus
    MS
Hello oldbill,

I stopped right after I read your first sentence because I did not see any mention of where you contacted your ISP regarding the change. In my specific case, I use Comcast, and I also opted to switch from their modem to my own SB6120 (which was the cream of the crop at the time). When I contacted Comcast support, they first had to confirm that the model was actually supported by Comcast (BTW, not all modems are), and once confirmed, they initiated a custom firmware download to activate it. Now, once properly identified in their system, it updates perfectly as required. Here's what mine looks like so you can stare and compare:

Screenshot (86).png

Screenshot (87).png

Hope this helps you get your service back.

my2cents
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
Thanks much for the reply. Believe I have good IP service as what I had done was change from Brighthouse as IP to Earthlink because of price gouging by Brighthouse >>> then discover Earthlink contracts out service to Brighthouse! Lack of service is not the problem though as all computers, including the dang Dell are able to access the internet reliably. My problem is no access between the Dell and any other computer on my home network.

I am convenced that the problem is most likely my complete lack of networking experience, I.E, some sort of settings or configuration that must be done. But ????
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3137
    CPU
    Intel
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    2-Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    ?
    Browser
    firefox-11
    Antivirus
    MS
OK, guess I should have read a bit further; however, I stopped at "nothing works" and then I saw the modem change so I'm sorry for that mistake. Good luck to you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
Thanks much for the reply. Believe I have good IP service as what I had done was change from Brighthouse as IP to Earthlink because of price gouging by Brighthouse >>> then discover Earthlink contracts out service to Brighthouse! Lack of service is not the problem though as all computers, including the dang Dell are able to access the internet reliably. My problem is no access between the Dell and any other computer on my home network.

I am convenced that the problem is most likely my complete lack of networking experience, I.E, some sort of settings or configuration that must be done. But ????

With this so called modem and the extra router for WiFi. They typical problem here is that your modem isn't actually a modem it's one of those ISP issued modem/routers, then you are plugging this into another router. This is ok provided that you disable the DHCP service on the secondary router so that only one router is handling DHCP.

This will also put all networked machines into the same subnet so that they will be able to share files etc..

I'm only guessing here as this is the typical problem that people have. In order to fix this type of problem you need to go into the routers settings on the second router and turn off DHCP or place it into access point mode, which basically does the same thing.

After that the first modem/router should provide the secondary router with an IP through DHCP, use this new IP to access the secondary router for setting up the wireless credentials.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
New modem was bought from Walmart, not IP provided, a Motorola Surfboard model SB5101U. No comment on the box or few supplied documents or during brief internet search that the device actually includes a router. When I run setup for the unit it offers me no DHCP info or settings - only security & password, etc., so am skeptical that is the problem(?). When the Brighthouse technician enabled my connection he inspected my system configuration and stated "good to go." And anyway during various attempts to configure/connect, I have removed the Netgear52 router from the system and that had no impact on difficulties.
Thanks for the comment.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3137
    CPU
    Intel
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    2-Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    ?
    Browser
    firefox-11
    Antivirus
    MS
Are you using the modem for anything else like Ethernet connections?

How it needs to be is Modem>Router> Switch, all PC's must connect to either the router or the switch in order to be on the same subnet. Nothing should be plugged into the modem other than the router.

When you say except connections I assume that you mean can't access file shares?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
Cable service comes into the modem. From the modem is only one unused USB port and one Rj-45 Ethernet connection that goes to the router. The router has an input port from modem and 4 other RJ-45, one of which goes to the 8-port hub and others are not connected. All hard-cabled devices go to/from an 8-port hub (no switch). The Dell, and some eBook readers devices connect only through the router though the Dell does have an RJ-45 connector for Ethernet.
So all should be on the same sub-net, connectable to each other so this mess then devolves back to computer configuration settings..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3137
    CPU
    Intel
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    2-Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    ?
    Browser
    firefox-11
    Antivirus
    MS
Yes that sounds correct.

I'm sure you checked that the Advanced Sharing settings have Network Discovery enabled.

There are three different category's for the Advanced Sharing settings, Private, Guest or Public, then All Networks , it may help to enable, Network Discovery for the Guest and Public Network then turn on Sharing for All Networks as well.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
Have seen these settings on the Dell under W8 and have changed various = can't see differences in my problem, so possibly you could walk me through what-where-how to change & what to look for?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3137
    CPU
    Intel
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    2-Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    ?
    Browser
    firefox-11
    Antivirus
    MS
Just go to the Network and Sharing Center, you will see, Change advanced sharing settings' , click on that and you will see all the options as mentioned earlier. Just enable all the sharing options for Private, Guest or Public, and All Networks, these settings have caused problems in the past and it's different than it was on Windows 7.

This is about the only reason I can think of for not having access to file shares on the Windows 8 machine.

The C:>Users folder is shared out by default so that shouldn't be a problem but I'll check that next.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
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