Do I have to be connected to the Internet to share files on a LAN?

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I have 5 laptops for a small computer lab running Vista Basic networked
through a basic Netgear switch. I've set up file sharing on the computers.
I'd like the computers to be able to share files even if they aren't
connected to the Internet. My problem is that if I disconnect the cable from
the router that provides Internet access, the computers can't access each
other. If I plug the cable back in to give the computers access to the
Internet, the computers can access each other.

Is there a solution to this problem so that the networked computers can
share files even when not connected to the Internet? Further, is there a
fairly simple solution that doesn't involve setting static IPs, registry
edits, and other things that go beyond changing settings through the control
panel?
 
I have 5 laptops for a small computer lab running Vista Basic networked
through a basic Netgear switch. I've set up file sharing on the computers.
I'd like the computers to be able to share files even if they aren't
connected to the Internet. My problem is that if I disconnect the cable from
the router that provides Internet access, the computers can't access each
other. If I plug the cable back in to give the computers access to the
Internet, the computers can access each other.

Is there a solution to this problem so that the networked computers can
share files even when not connected to the Internet? Further, is there a
fairly simple solution that doesn't involve setting static IPs, registry
edits, and other things that go beyond changing settings through the control
panel?
Click to expand...

You say
"5 laptops for a small computer lab running Vista Basic networked through a
basic Netgear switch."

then
"if I disconnect the cable from the router that provides Internet access".

What exactly are the computers connected to? A switch, or a router?
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/background-information-useful-in.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/background-information-useful-in.html

Look at logs from "ipconfig /all", for a couple computers, both when properly
connected, and when not connected.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/reading-ipconfig-and-diagnosing.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/reading-ipconfig-and-diagnosing.html

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.
 
More than likely, the problem is that your router is the DHCP server
and once you disconnect it from your basic netgear switches, you won't
be able to get a valid IP address.

What happens if you unplug the cable to the WAN side of the router
(i.e., from your modem, etc)?
 
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