Network? LAN? Broadband? What do I have?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MadHatt
  • Start date Start date
M

MadHatt

I'm starting to feel like a complete idiot.
I use IE7, Wind. XP on one computer, vista (ie7) on the other.

I had an internet connection set up for me. I was having some issues with
it such as: some web pages were not opening, getting "could not connect
messages", slow etc. So... I decide that I will set up a new internet
connection. I started doing alot of research on exactly what kind of
connection I needed to set up...I read so many helps etc and I am more
confused than when I started. Anyway now under my network connections I have
two listed.. one says it's called Broadband connection, WAN miniport (PPOE)
and the other says Local area connection, Rhine II fast ethern... . I don't
know which was the old one, I seem to be connecting with the lan one. It
tells me its going to connect now when before it just automatically did.....
I have two computers, hooked up to a router and the only thing I would like
to share is the printer. Is that considered to be a network? A lan?
Broadband? what type of connection do I want? and I thought Broadband was
like high speed cable, which is what I have. Also now on the other computer
(vista), when you open iexp it says "This webpage is unavailable because you
are offline", yet it I click on one of my favorites it goes there so I must
be connected. I screwed around with both computers' internet, ie, and
firewall settings and configurations trying to make them the same, I wish
I never would have done anything. I discovered for some reason my system
restore was not turned on so I couldn't restore it. If somebody could just
give me some info and answer those questions I will try and make things right
if I can. I would very much appreciate any help.
 
Hi
You did not explain what actually your Internet connection is and how it is
configured in general?
However, since you used the word Router I assume that you have either DSL or
Cable Internet.
If this is so, the Router has to be set to deal correctly with the Internet
connection.
Pass the Router you have a LAN connection. I.e. the computers do not care
any more what type of connection it is form the Internet to the Router, they
are on a Local Private Network (LAN).

You can check and configure the network of each computer by looking at this
process, http://www.ezlan.net/debug.html
When the computers are capable to Access the Internet.

Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network settings,
http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html
As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it is
allowed to be shared.
Vista File and Printer Sharing-
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/network/evaluate/vista_fp.mspx
Basic XP -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/filesharing.mspx
Advanced XP - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040
Printer Sharing XP -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx
Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357
Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120
Jack (MVP-Networking).
 
I wanted to thank you. Those websites were very helpful. I configured both
computers' network (yes cable conn.) and everything seems to be working
great. I optimized my TCP/IP Stack on my xp computer that had been so slow
and wow, what a difference that made!!! Again thanks I really appreciate
it!
 
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