Notebook can't connect to wireless router when desktop is on!?!?

What the world needs now is yet another connection issue thread!

Here's my issue: my notebook can only connect (wirelessly) to the router when the desktop is turned off/hibernating. If the desktop is on, i can't connect. So i turn off the desktop, connect to the router, than turn the desktop back on, it works fine.

I'm using a Buffalo Airstation WHR-G54S with a wired (ethernet) connection to the desktop. I have Comcast cable (RCA modem). Both desktop and notebook are running XP Home. It worked just fine at first (after a call to Buffalo Tech Support), but on the day after i set it up, this problem began. I have WEP encryption going.

Could it be a firewall issue? I have McAfee firewall on the desktop, ZoneAlarm on the laptop.

Can anyone advise, before i dedicate another hour on hold with Buffalo Tech Support?


EDIT: Sorry if this has been addressed in another thread. I did a search but couldn't find anything relevant.

 

My only thoughts is the router is not doing a NAT. So you are doing a direct connect to the ISP. Which they only allow 1 IP Address.

I hope you are using WPA and not WEP.

Comcast uses DHCP, tied to your MAC Address. My sugestion would be to check the router's setup. Firewall should be on. NAT on. Other wise it is just passing every thing through.

You should also have your MAC address clone into the router.

 

Go run -> command -> ipconfig on both the computers. Do it when your laptop is connected, your desktop is connected, and when you turn your desktop on first (laptop fail to connect). Then post the results. Much easier to debug it this way.

p.s. Just noticed you have a router that can be flashed to a 3rd party firmware. Ever considered doing so? Much better than the stuff you get out of the box.

 

OK. I've googled NAT and see that it means "Network Address Translation." It is enabled, or so the AirStation tells me. I can also edit the NAT table (like i know how to do that).

Will do. But is it a good idea to post my IP address here?

I've heard of that. What 3rd party firmware do you recommend?

 

you may have your DHCP limiting the # of connections.

 

Check the firewall setting in Zonealarm, make sure the other desk/lap is allowing the ipaddress.

 

You don't have to post your IP address. Just check if both computers have the same IP address when you turn on the desktop first. Then check the IP addresses again after you restarted the desktop. Are they now different?