I need LAN help!

[lilspotteddog]

Please help me. I am pretty much at the novice level as far as configuring my computers, but I need help understanding my current situation. I signed up for satellite internet service through wild blue because we live where there is only dial-up. The install guy came, set up the dish, router, etc, but my computer is older and didn't have a NIC card, so he couldn't set my computer up. He left me the number to call for service so they could walk me through set-up. We got a NIC and installed it, and my computer is showing the card on the device manager. When I called the service techs at wild blue, the woman said she couldn't connect me to wild blue because i didn't have a lan set up. I know i've seen the lan icon before, but when i tried to follow the instructions for setting one up, i became confused over the language (protocol, client, etc.) Is there anyone out there who can tell me how to do this or recommend a site with instructions for illiterate non techs?

[Archangel122184]

What version of windows are you running?

[lilspotteddog]

Hi, thanks for getting back to me. My OS is Windows ME and I have a US robotics V.92 PCI Faxmodem with which I am accessing the Internet through dial up service. The modem that wildblue hooked up to get the broadband service through is a surfbeam satellite modem model SM2100. We installed a NIC card because our computer didn't have that capability. I also ordered a wireless router so I could use my Mac laptop anywhere in the house. When I called Wildblue back to have them walk me through the setup on my computer, the girl asked me what my LAN settings or number was. I told her I didn't have a LAN and that she would have to help me with that. She said she was only an Internet tech and couldn't help me in setting up my computer. Anyway, I tried to set up a LAN, but I'm just not getting it by following the information on the disk that came with the NIC card. Any help you guys can give me is greatly appreciated. BTW, have you read the Archangel series of books? They are part Sci-Fi, part religion, and are very good.

[Archangel122184]

I have not read the books, but I'll certainly take a look.

On your desktop there should be a Network Neighborhood or My Network Places. Right click on that and click properties. In the adapters list, what do you see?

[lilspotteddog]

I see the Realtec RTL8139(A) PCI Fast Ethernet adapter and a connection like plug thing that says TCP/IP. I don't have a network neighborhood or my network places icon. In control panel it just says network and that's where I got the above info. Christine

[Archangel122184]

Alright.

start -> run -> "command" -> enter

at the command prompt type "ipconfig /all" and post the output here. To copy it, right click on the title bar and click edit/copy.

[lilspotteddog]

Okay - I'm not online on that computer b/c the install guy took me off my dial up connection and then I messed around with it and i can't get my dial up back. here's what the command prompt got me:

Host name: Kepler

[lilspotteddog]

Sorry, that got sent by mistake. Starting over on command results.

Windows IP Configuration
Host name: Kepler
DNS servers: -
Node type: Broadcast
Net Bios Scope ID:-
IP Routing enabled: No
Wins Proxy enabled: No

O Ethernet Adapter:
Description: NDIS 5.0 Driver
Physical Address: 00-10-DC-C7-25-OB
OHCP enabled:No
Media Status: Disconnected
IP Address:0.0.0.0
Subnet Mask:0.0.0.0
Default Gatewat:-

[Archangel122184]

ok... one last question... How are all of your devices currently connected (in regards to your cable and router).

[lilspotteddog]

I have the wild blue modem connected to the nic card with the ?Cat5? cable. No other computers are connected to the computer. I have a printer connected, I have a dial-up phone line going in, and I have a USB hub connected to the computer so I have extra USB ports.

[lilspotteddog]

[QUOTE=Archangel122184;873015]I have not read the books, but I'll certainly take a look.

Author is Sharon Shinn Couldn't remember her last name before now.:wave:

[Archangel122184]

hmm... ok...

Looks like we just have some things mis-configured, lets see if we can clean it up.

Open your network connections again. Highlight TCP and click properties. Is it set to Obtain Configuration and DNS information automatically?

[lilspotteddog]

hi, i'm online

[lilspotteddog]

No - under the TCP/IP properties, the DNS Configuration tab has Disable DNS checked.

[Archangel122184]

Go ahead and set them both to obtain automatically the run the "ipconfig /all" again

[lilspotteddog]

I must be all messed up because there is no place to check "obtain or detect automatically" I am in control panel > network

[Archangel122184]

You need to be in the TCP/IP properties.

Set it to obtain ip information automatically as well as DNS.

[lilspotteddog]

In TCP/IP properties, There are several tabs. I chose the one marked DNS config. and said enable. When I try to say OK, it gives me the messages that I must specify a Host name before I can tell it ok. what is my host name?

[Archangel122184]

You'll have to forgive me... its been a while since I've worked with 98/ME.

In TCP/IP:
DNS Tab:leave DNS disabled.
Gateway Tab: Make sure the gateway list is empty.
WINS Tab: Click use DHCP WINS resolution
IP Address Tab: Click Obtain information automatically

[lilspotteddog]

ok did all of that.

[Archangel122184]

start -> run -> "command" -> enter

at the command prompt type "ipconfig /all" and post the output here. To copy it, right click on the title bar and click edit/copy.

[lilspotteddog]

okay, I figured you were going to ask me to do tht, so I had done it while I was waiting on you to reply. (Ilooked back at a previous post to know how to do it again) Nothing is different except the things I marked with an asterisk below. I also restarted the computer just now to see if I needed to that before the settings would take effect, and it didn't change anything on this report.

Winds IP Conf.
Host name: Kepler
DNS Servers:
Node type: Broadcast
NetBios Scope ID:
IP Routing Enabled: No
Wins Proxy Enabled: No
**NetBios Resolution Uses DNS: No

0Ethernet adapter:
Description: NDIS 5.0 driver
DHCP Enabled:No (Last night I thought this said OHCP unless I transcribed it incorrectly)
Media Status: Disconnected
IP Address: 0.0.0.0
Subnet mask: 0.0.0.0
Default Gateway:

[Archangel122184]

ok...

start -> run -> "winipcfg" -> enter

From the drop down select your RTL*** then click the renew button.

Does it give you an IP address or an error?

[lilspotteddog]

Um, It didn't have anthing in the drop down box except the NDIS 5.0 driver. What is "RTL"?

[Archangel122184]

RTL should be the name of your adaptor, but NDIS is probably it (NDIS is a standard driver for network cards).

[lilspotteddog]

Okay, now. Let's back up a minute and maybe I am misunderstanding something very basic here. When I go into network in my control panel, I see "configuration" on the tab. Now, there are two choices here: the first says:
"RealTec RTL8139(A)PCI Adapter:
the second choice here is:
"TCP/IP"

Here's what I've been doing: when you said go into networking under TCP/IP, I was choosing that icon. When the install guy came to set me up for high speed satellite, that is the modem (?) he installed. Should I have been doing all the things you've been instructing me to do under properties for the RealTec adapter?

[lilspotteddog]

and, when i went bck in to look at properties for the ethernet adapter, the choices were not the same as were under the TCP/IP icon

[Archangel122184]

No... the adapter and TCP/IP protocol are separate.

[lilspotteddog]

Okay. I'm stymied. So I did the detect automatically, and then run to check to see if the settings changed? And, do I have to have the service provider already giving me service? I have no service from anyone right now because the Wild Blue people did not finish walking me through the set up. So would that make a difference in trying to set up a network? The install guy changed my dial-up settings from my ISP company so I can't get on anything on that computer right now. I'm on my Mac laptop right now on my dial-up service. If I went into the settings on my laptop, would I be able to figure out the info I need for the PC? Thanks for your help!

[Archangel122184]

You'll have to direct questions about your service to your ISP. Although, since your IP address is 0.0.0.0 instead of 169.245.x.x it seems there is a problem with your computer. When you installed the adapter, did the computer automatically install drivers for it, or did you use a CD?

[lilspotteddog]

I think the computer automatically installed the drivers. I guess to get back to the main question, what is a LAN or local area network, AND why would the ISP (Wild Blue) want to know my LAN? Would that have any bearing providing me with Internet service? I do appreciate your help.

[Archangel122184]

A LAN is a figment of a network engineer's imagination. Specifically, it is a small network usually consisting of less than 1000 nodes and utilizing only one data link protocol. Your ISP doesn't want to know anything about your LAN specifically... to be honest it is some idiot technician reading a setup guide to you. What they want is to know that your computer has a network card that runs Ethernet between your computer and your modem and runs TCP/IP for actual information exchange.

[lilspotteddog]

Okay, nuff said. That is what I thought, too. I mean, I didn't know exactly what it was, but I had an idea. And I think what is happening right now is that the Ethernet connection is interfering with my dial-up's ability to know what to do. Does that make sense? I'm going to remove the cable to Wild Blue's modem and go back and try all the steps you said try it that way. I really appreciate your time and patience. Thanks again, Christine Kepler

[Archangel122184]

The NIC shouldn't effect your dial up and you need to be connected to the cable modem to make sure everything is working.