Linksys WAG54G file/printer share problem??

I have a Linksys WAG54G that accesses the Internet perfectly fine. I am able to access the Internet from all my Windows XP computers but I can't access any files on the other computers on the network even though I can ping each of them from each of the computers and the Wireless device. Going into Network Places under XP I only see the machine I am on. I have got file and print sharing protocol installed on each PC.

I believe it is something to do with the router. How do you go about allowing the computers to see each others files?

Help or advice needed please.

Bit of a problem you’ve got there

What OS are you running on the machines, (if Linux you will need IP masquerading)?
How are they connecting to the router, via the Ethernet connection or wireless?

I take it you have the file and print enabled on all the machines.

-Make sure all your machines are getting their IP address from the router (set that up under TCP/IP protocol).
-Check the settings on your router, make sure that the time to live of an assigned IP address is round about 24hours is up to you.
-Make sure they are all set to go out through the router to the net.
-Try turning the firewall off on the router.
-Check that no firewall software on the computers is blocking packets from the router. (ICMP packets seem to be getting through but nothing else)
-Try turning off the wifi part of the router.
-Check what other network services you have running on your machines.

-If all else fails update the firmware on the router.

I had the same problem with my USR wifi router because it had the IP address 192.168.1.1 and a computer on the network had 192.168.0.1. Two machines fighting for default gateway, I could ping but not access files on other machines.

Hope this helps

Thanks for reply Warwaste...

I am running Windows XP on all 3 Pc's. They are connecting to the router through their own wireless devices, and I have file and print sharing protocol installed on all 3 Pc's.

Make sure all your machines are getting their IP address from the router (set that up under TCP/IP protocol).
They all are, getting 192.168.1.100 then 192.168.1.101 etc

-Check the settings on your router, make sure that the time to live of an assigned IP address is round about 24hours is up to you.
Ok will check this setting

-Make sure they are all set to go out through the router to the net.
Yes they all are.

-Try turning the firewall off on the router.
Will try this and see if it makes a difference

-Check that no firewall software on the computers is blocking packets from the router. (ICMP packets seem to be getting through but nothing else)
They all have SP2 installed, do you think I should turn off the firewall on SP2?

-Try turning off the wifi part of the router.
Not sure what you mean here

-Check what other network services you have running on your machines.
Like what? i have a FTP turned on...

-If all else fails update the firmware on the router.
Just updated the firmware on it.

They reckon a lot of people are getting problems with the WAG54G Linksys which is not good. Someone mentioned to me to see if there was a setting enabled called AP Isolation, which I was told to turn off.

I'll let you know how I get on.

ok try using an ethernet cable to connect the PC's to the ports at the back of the router. Then disable the wifi part of the router & PC's but then you wont be wireless. This should test to see if you have something wrong with your wireless settings

Do you have them all on the same SSID?
Whats the connection signal like on the wifi?

Ok since you have SP2 running turn that off becasuse it will block programs and apps trying to connect or send. Other wise go to the device connection and then go to its firewall settings and enable all services on that firewall. (Sorry im having to do this from memory as my 3 month old 420W PSU bewup lastnight, so you may have to look round for what im discribing)

Ok for the protocols and services you should be running on your computer are. (off the top of my head)
-TCP/IP
-IPv6
-Microsoft file & print sharing
-Network monitor

There should be about 4 items in the list. Make shure you have them enabled for that device, not any ethernet connetion on your machine if you have multipule connections.

Why do you start your IP allocation so high in the list.
I havent delt with the setting called AP isolation so you will have to try it.

When i get my computer up and running again i will try to recreate your problem and do a walk through for the solution if i can.

search for the computers on the network. Type * in the search field for computers and uses on the network.

hope this helps....

Ok. spent about 5 hours today trying to sort this problem out and in the end finally sorted it out!

Like to thank warwaste for all his ideas and must say it helped me solve it in the end!
I first tried ethernet cables but didn't make any difference. Checked the SSID and all of them were set correctly. Found the AP isolation but it was turned off anywhere by default so that blew that idea. Tried turning off the firewalls on both the router and then the firewalls SP2 on each PC, again nothing seemed to work or make any difference!

Then made sure all the correct protocols were installed TCP/IP, Microsoft file & print sharing and then IPv6. Only one which I hadn't installed was IPv6. After doing this I could finally see each of the PC's...progress..couldn't open them with the file/print shares I had made on each but at least they were showing up as icons...

Mucked around for ages, trying different things, making new shares, checking connection settings etc then finally saw that the Pc's has internet sharing ticked...hmm..shouldn't need this as they each individually can get the internet thru the wireless router/adsl...unticked and restarted the PC's and everything worked fine and shares and printers all could be seen!!!!

So there you go...installed IPv6 and unticked internet sharing..such a simple solution in the end but hours of searching to see why it was not working...

Anyone have any ideas why this would do this anyway??

PS: Thanks for your ideas/reply Warwaste!!!

Also losing connection every now and again...now sure if its h/w or our ISP...might try changing the channel number and see if that makes a difference...

Are you losing the connection with your ISP or
Are you losing the connection between you wifi device and other wifi devices?

Can you select "auto select" for the number of channels your wifi router uses?
Whos your ISP?
What are ping times like?

Channels has to do with wifi and not DSL connection from your ISP (Unless you are using a wireless ISP and connect to them via wifi or have a different term for something in DSL standards)

If it is the wireless lossing connection:
Wifi devices can use up to 13 channels in the wavelength they have been alocated 2.4GHz. You cant have two devices transmitting on the same channel within range of each other.

Building wireless Community Networks, Author Rob Flickenger, published by O'Reilly 2002

You may want to change your antennas to a horizontal polarization incase someone is using the same channels near by.

If its DSL loosing connection:
Talk to your ISP and check your settings.

What firware should I upgrade with - Annex A or Annex B . Bought a WAG54G from Ascent and using it here NZ.

Thanks