Thread: Partial network problems

All too often, problems with networks aren't as simple as nothing working, or a cable being unplugged. Your computer might tell you that it's connected but be unable to access anything else on the network, or you may be able to see some computers, but not others. So, let's take a look at some common problems, and how you can try to solve them,



The first thing to check when you have network problems is that each computer has an IP address, and the rest ofthe network settings are correct. Open the control panel, and check the status of your network connection as explained earlier. The IP address should look similar to the one you noted down before - if using DHCP the last number may be different, but this is normal. If the IP is completely different then click the Repair button. This will request a new address, and will quite often be all you need to get that computer back on the network.

If Repair doesn't work, then there's usually a problem with the device that's giving out IP addresses; on a home network this is usually the router. Restart the router and see if the computers can then connect.