Home network
 

Hi.
Until recently I have had no problem with my set-up. ie Desktop connected via router and modem. Laptop wireless, occasionally wired. Battery did run v. low and I could not use laptop wireless for a couple of days - only after lots of checking and re-setting.
Problem now is, when I use the laptop wirelessly I cannot see my desktop (and access a printer) on my network.
Any thoughts, please?

Re: Home network
 

have you tried a restore to a day when your laptop was ok?:)

Re: Home network
 

Thanks Scrubs
Will give that a go

Re: Home network
 

What were you resetting after the battery ran low? Unless you have changed any settings on the PC or router you shouldn't have any issues? Have you tried rebooting the router?

Re: Home network
 

Can you ping other devices on your network by IP or name? Can you ping the gateway?

Re: Home network
 

I didn't at first make any changes, but have made some using Help & Support diagnostics. I did re-boot the router several times and also re-set to factory default. I have removed the old connection and set up a new one.
I now have wireless capability. However I the desktop (XP) does not show up on the network.
The cause of my original problem? - somewhere amongst the H & P there is mention of network settings being affected by low power. Possibly that was it?
Also, I did install some updates for Windows Defender - could that have had any effect?

Can you ping other devices on your network by IP or name? Can you ping the gateway?

Yes, as part of the checking I did that and all was OK.

On checking the ipconfig command, the Media State for the Wireless LAN Adapter for the Wireless Network Connection, and also for Tunnel Adapters to all Local Area Connections show as Media Disconnected.
Is this of any significance?

Thanks for you input.

EDIT I have not as yet done a system restore

---------- Post added at 14:32 ---------- Previous post was at 13:39 ----------

Further to that, in Help & Support Centre there is this -

To test a TCP/IP configuration by using the ping command
To quickly obtain the TCP/IP configuration of a computer, open Command Prompt, and then type ipconfig. From the display of the ipconfig command, ensure that the network adapter for the TCP/IP configuration you are testing is not in a Media disconnected state.

How do I put it in a connected state?

Re: Home network
 

Desktop is XP. What version windows on the laptop?

Re: Home network
 

Vista

Re: Home network
 

you haven't turned off the wireless via a switch on the laptop or something, have you?

Re: Home network
 

I am using the laptop wirelessly now. Wireless switched on.
I can access the router from here.
I cannot see my desktop on the network.
The problem might be something to do with the TCP/IP configuration showing it is in a Media disconnected state.
I do not know how to correct this.

Re: Home network
 

Make sure the cable is pushed in at both the PC and the router. If that doesn't work, have you got another cable you could try?

Re: Home network
 

If you are connecting wirelessly then your WIRED adaptor will probably be showing as media disconnected.

You could try running the network wizard on both machines again and make certain both machines show the same workgroup name.

Re: Home network
 

Am I misreading this. Is the Desktop wired and the laptop wireless?

Re: Home network
 

Had this problem myself. Desktop was xp and laptop was vista, some days the desktop would show up in the network and some days it wouldnt. A quick solution is to download the trial version of network magic. It`ll show up then but even with that some days it wouldnt. In the end I just put windows 7 on both machines and have no problems at all on the network.

Re: Home network
 

Sorry for any confusion.
Desktop wired to router.
Laptop wireless

---------- Post added at 21:20 ---------- Previous post was at 21:08 ----------

If I run ipconfig - Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection - Media disconnected and Connection-specific DNS suffix - blank
Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection *6, *7, *11 - Media disconnected and Connection-specific DNS suffix - blank
Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection *14 - Connection-specific DNS suffix - blank. Default Gateway - blank

Both machines share the same workgroup name.

---------- Post added at 21:26 ---------- Previous post was at 21:20 ----------

During the time spent on my last post, the desktop has now appeared on the network. Wierd!