Ad-Hoc network problems

Me and my brother both recently bought D-link wireless network cards so that we could set up an Ad-Hoc network and play games against each other. I installed both the cards and used the D-Link software to set up the network. It took a while to do but eventually we got green status bars with the cards both saying they were working and had strong signals. My problems are these:

a) How do I know that the cards are in fact interacting with each other? When I browse 'My Computer' on both PC's the other PC doesn't show, how for example could I swap a file between both computers to prove that they actually are 'connected'?

b} We want to play games against each other but the games we want to play require the IPX protocol to be installed. I have installed the IPX protocol to the 'network bridge' but when a game is started on one computer the other computer can't see it. It states online that the IPX protocol can't be installed on XP but I have managed to do it I think so why is this?

We are both running Windows XP Professional Corporate Edition, could this have anything to do with it?

I would be very greatful for any help.

I haven't had much experience with ad-hoc networking, but somethings to check

Make sure you're both on the same channel, and have the same SSID

Try pinging each other (go to the start menu, run, type "cmd" without the quote marks, then type ping and then the ip address of the other pc

As for your IPX problem, I've never seen IPX installed on XP, which of course doesn't mean that it won't work on it, have a look on the microsoft website for some help about that one

Thanks for the reply but a couple of things, whats an SSID and how do I make sure we are both on the same one. Also how do I find out the IP address of the computer?

Sorry about this but I am a nearly newbie.

It's cool, we were all newbies at one stage or another

the SSID (or sometimes called ESSID) is usually set with the d-link software

What devices are you bridging with your network bridge?

Also, what dlink card are you using? I've got a 520+ here, so i might be able to install it in my work pc and try and go through the process myself (as i haven't set up an ad-hoc network on a pc before)

Warning about using the windows inbuilt to run an adhoc network, there is no way to specify a channel, so it will randomly hop around between them like anything and lose connectivity occasionally.

See if you can use the d-link software to configure it. I havent put my d-link pci into a windows box to try so cant even say if it allows it, but my netgear cards have a lot more options as soon as I untick the option to allow windows to manage my wireless network. I can set the mode, and the channel in the netgear stuff, so hopefully the dlink does the same

Yes when I untick the windows option all the D-link options appear. So do I just set the channels ane the modes to the same number on both computers? Also I just typed 'default' in the SSID is this wrong? I am a newbie when it comes to networking but all the help that D-link give you is on the installation of the cards.

My brother took his computer home and my computer showed exactly the same as when his computer was here except that in 'network connections' the wireless connection now showed as 'unavailable' ,does this mean it may be working correctly? If so though how can I swap a file to make sure?

One of the main reasons for ad-hoc networks causing problems, is the DHCP system with Windows. I have found with DLink cards (I haven't tried others) that an IP address is often not assigned intially, and "repair" has to be selected. Strangely, the response is that the repair has failed, but in fact it does work and an IP address is assigned. This needs to be done each time the computer is rebooted, or card inserted. To get around this, you can select a static IP address and it will work straight away.

It can be frustrating when u first start out. Maybe I can help. Given that u have already installed the hardware and successfully loaded the software and received a good signal, try this.

click START-CONNECT TO-SHOW ALL CONNECTIONS

right click on your wireless connection, then - PROPERTIES

Scroll down to Internet protocol(TCP/IP)

If its not there install it, if it is

click on it and go to-PROPERTIES

check 'Use the following IP address'

enter these figures 'IP address': 192.168.0.x where x represents a number between 0 and 255 make sure that u do this on both computers but with 'x' being different numbers.
'Subnet mask': 255.255.255.0

Also check to see if u have 'NWlink IPX/SPX/Netbios Compatible Transpot Protocol' if not install it

Once u have done all the required steps u need to set up your network using the 'NETWORK SETUP WIZARD' follow the steps and at this stage disregard internet connection sharing as this requires the setting up of a host. when u get to 'Select a connection method' choose 'other' and then on the next page choose 'This computer belongs to etc etc' then next check 'Let me choose the connections' next u need to give your computers unique names, such as Bro1 and Bro2, then a 'Workgroup name' such as Boyz, this name is common to both computers. Then let wizard do its thing and when finished check 'Just finish the wizard'. Make sure u do this to both computers.

make sure u have activated 'Adhoc mode', Set the Service Set ID (SSID) to 'DEFAULT' on both computers, set the channel (usually 11).

Shut them down and reboot.

If u intend sharing an internet connection on peer-peer, u need to setup IP sharing through a host computer.

If this all works out go to START-ALL PROGRAMS-ACCESSORIES-SYSTEM TOOLS-SYSTEM RESTORE

and set up a restore point, believe me it saves all the hassles of reconfiguring when it all turns to custard.
Happy networking.

Sorry mate didn't notice the date of the original post.

I think x needs to be between 1 and 254 8O else you are making a small hole bigger.