Home Network Aggravations

peter2207 · #1 September 5th, 2003, 03:39 AM

Let's just say I'm pretty disappointed with Dell support...they don't support you much. I bought a top of the line Dell in April and gave my old computer to my kids. As part of my Dell package, I also got a wireless home network hooked up. Dell sent some guy from a contract agency called Banc Tec to my house to hook up the network...he was there for about 3 hours! My new computer has XP Home operating system and my kids' computer has Windows ME. I told him I wanted the new computer to be primary computer in the network. He said okay then told me about an hour later that he couldn't do it because....well, I don't remember, I just trusted the guy to know what he was doing. So now I'm having these two really annoying problems with my network.

1. The ME computer prints like a charm, quick. The XP Home computer (MY computer) takes FOREVER to print, sometimes up to 3-5 minutes before it kicks in! And while I'm waiting, I can't work on the computer...the keyboard won't work, I can't use menus, open or close windows, etc. It really pisses me off. I called Dell a few times on this, they had me fool around with some stuff...printer spool speed I think and some other stuff. Finally, this one genius just said basically, 'Look, the ME computer must have the direct link to the printer, so it's natural that the XP Home computer will take longer to print, so just deal with it." I was kind (that's my nature) and said thanks, but when I hung up I was pissed. Is there any way I can speed up a print job from the XP Home computer or - what I'd really like - make that computer the one with the 'direct link' to the printer?

2. I have internet connectviity thru the local cable company. Oftentimes, both computers will be on the internet, but the ME computer will not be able to access certain secondary hyperlinks while the XP Home computer always will. And also, sometimes the ME computer will not be able to access the internet at all while the XP Home computer can. Why is that? Is there a way I can make internet connectivity on the ME computer work as well as on the XP Home computer?

Thanks.

**Spider** · #2 September 7th, 2003, 12:27 AM

Have you got a cordless phone or a halogen lamp by either computer?

peter2207 · #3 September 7th, 2003, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spider

Have you got a cordless phone or a halogen lamp by either computer?

Yes, Spider, I do...there is a cordless phone attached to the side of the computer desk.

**Spider** · #4 September 7th, 2003, 09:51 PM

Unplug the power line and the telephone line from the phone, then try.