computer smash

[aimeekitty]

We had it all set up perfectly before moving the computers downstairs (one mac and one pc). But all of the sudden our internet dsl stopped working for some insane reason, and mitch (I thinK??) replaced the modem and router. They now seem to work MOST of the time.

however, in the process of him doing this, I can't connect to Mitch's shared folders on the network.

under my network, I can see his computer, I can see the choices of networked folders to share, but when I click "connect" which would normally mount that shared folder on my desktop, it says :
"the alias "MitchComputer" could not be opened, because the original item cannot be found"
(where MitchComputer obviously is a standin for mitch's real computer name).

I know that I have file sharing on, on my computer, and I tried the wizard on mitch's and told it to turn file sharing on on his, but I can't seem to figure out what to try next. I HATE PCs. I'm sorry. they are so fucking irritating when it comes to stuff like this. My mac just automatically sets stuff up, but with the pc, it's like you have to say a magic word and spin around three times and then try it the SAME WAY 5 times and then MAYBE IT MIGHT WORK.

suggestions welcome. I'd rather not have to pay geeksquad another $200 thanks.

Oh btw, mitch's pcs' cd drive apparently just stopped reading any burnable cds so can't burn the files off his computer either.

his computer is about to DIE if it doesn't do what I tell it to. and now I'm going to be late.

at least the internet still works...

FOR NOW. SATANCOMPUTER!!!

btw, Mitch? It's your turn to try to fix it.

Comments

[mojuko.livejournal.com]

Wish I could be more of a help, but mine does occationally just not see the other computers at all. I usually have to restart the whole system...computers and network.

Good Luck!

[pogo101.livejournal.com]

Burn the Satan-puter. LET THE FIRE CLEANSE IT

[tacohime.livejournal.com]

our internet dsl stopped working for some insane reason, and mitch (I thinK??) replaced the modem and router.

Hmmm... is the new modem and router of the same make/model as the old one? There could be a built-in firewall in the router that's causing problems. Who knows. It's probably something simple and stupid. I have a feeling the problem's with the router. I'll ask my boyfriend as he's a bit more knowledgeable about such things.

In summation: don't pay $200 when you have nerd friends.

[tacohime.livejournal.com]

Christian asks, "is there something that can be configured on the router admin side to allow the machines to talk?

"if they could see each other in the first place, do they still see each other if the original router is put back in place?"

[tacohime.livejournal.com]

Boyfriend also says "[if you can both get to the internet, then the router is working fine, and it's a configuration issue] They should be able to both find their private ip addresses and try pinging each other. if that can get through, it might be something as simple as whatever resource was shared changing names or something."

[ajmeow.livejournal.com]

If you guys can survive until Friday, I'll take a look when I get there... I'm no IT person but I can sometimes beat PCs into submission. o_O

[fernblossom.livejournal.com]

If I remember right, you have to browse to the PC's IP address or input the IP manually someplace on the Mac's network settings. I do remember it was a pain, on the Mac end of things.
Changing the router etc might have changed the IP address of Mitch's computer, so it could be as simple as updating his IP on the Mac.

[miss-jane.livejournal.com]

Bossman says it could be your firewall. Try disabling it, and if you can access the folder, then you'll have to work on the firewall configurations...

(Sorry, he said he'd have to look up the error in order to tell you more).

[jadewik.livejournal.com]

I know you don't know me, so I hope my comment dosen't shock you. I used to read your art forum back when you were still in college. I stumbled on your art forum in 1999/2000-ish and it inspired me to get back into drawing as a hobby.... and I was dwelling on the past again last week, went to your site, found your LJ and added you as a friend so I could see all the fun and imaginative things you're up to. I hope you don't mind.

Hope you don't take this the wrong way, but I've found sometimes the most simple things can be the trouble. Always check to make sure the cables and plugs are securely inserted. Most of the time, it's a loose wire or broken wire that's the trouble. If the internet is also non-functioning, it might be a cable. If you have wireless, then maybe the move put the computers in a location that doesn't get very good reception from a wireless router.

Also-- did he recently update his operating system to windows vista? Windows operating systems are finickey. You can network from Vista to XP, Win2k, Win98, etc... but older operating systems can't recognize new operating systems because they can't "talk" to each other.

Once those options have been exhausted, I'd try opening a command prompt (if using windows it's start -> run -> type in "cmd" & press OK... in your command window type "ping (IP Address or URL)". I'd ping a URL like google.com and if that works then I'd ping Mitch's IP if on your computer or your IP if you're on Mitch's computer. If you get all your packets back, then your connectivity is more than likely a problem with your computer/router/modum/cords & cables (though some of those options have already been checked)... if you don't get any packets back, it could be your internet company needs to log the change in the modum-- I have cable internet and ran into issues with cox once because it was my roommate's account, but my modum. When she moved out, I got my own account but they had my modum listed on her account still. They actually had to call their corporate office to fix it so I could get internet.

Sorry if that's not much help-- giving tech help over the internet isn't always easy because you can't determine the symptoms as easily if you were there. =(

I wouldn't go to geeksquad either... $200? eesh. Makes me wonder if they knew what they were doing-- especially if they're paid hourly.

As for the CD drive, they don't last forever. If it's a burner, burners usually can burn 200-300 CD's before they die... depending on the brand. When CDRom drives stop reading CD's it's probably reached it's burning/reading limit. CDRoms are about $20 ea these days. You can get a decent DVDR for $50-$80 and a regular CD burner for $30-50.

Refreshing Computer IP Address with Win XP

[jadewik.livejournal.com]

Had to email my brother to get the WinXP commands to refresh your computer IP address-- It's been a while.

In your command prompt (run -> cmd -> press OK) type each of the 3 following commands exactly as it appears press enter after each command-- :
ipconfig /all
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

ipconfig /all -- this will show you your computer IP address and your gateway address... and all that other juicy stuff. Can be done whenever to determine your IP address.

ipconfig /release -- This is like cleaning out your internet casche... it basically clears out your IP info. If you use this command, make sure to use the renew command.

ipconfig /renew -- Basically refreshes your IP address. If IP addresses haven't been released first, then it isn't effective.

[rosa-palomino.livejournal.com]

If you have wireless, then maybe the move put the computers in a location that doesn't get very good reception from a wireless router.
I second this - you'ld be surprised by the thickness of your floors and walls. I had to string 150 feet of cable since the church walls were too thick for the minister's computer even with a signal booster halfway. I had to prove I wasn't insane by bringing his machine in to my office and seeing everything work perfectly. I still have to remember to pull out that wireless modem.

[pneumaz.livejournal.com]

Acutally - this sounds like it might be a simple Networking redundancy. I know on my home network - whenever a computer is moved - replaced - or updated we have to remove it from the network entirely. That also includes any premapped destinations on other computers. Once thats accomplished - re-network the new computer into the system and recreate the shortcuts.

One time I had to replace a 2ndary hard drive and take a computer out of network and even though it was the same name and had the same hardware - it didnt want to be seen anymore. A few disconnects and reconnects later - all was fine. Maybe that could help.