Networking/Computer/Windows XP prob...

[MIKEMOST]

The reason why I placed this thread in this forum is because I don't know what is causing this problem! I'll start from scratch:

I have two computers, here is the problem computer:

Custom built:
P4 2.8GHz 800MHz FSB, Hyperthreading tech.
Windows XP Pro (legitamate version!)
1 GB Corsair "Extreme" memory (sidenote, stuff is amazing!)
WD 200GB Hard Drive 7200RPM 8MB cache
WC 40GB Hard Drive 7200RPM 8MB Cache (WinXP loaded on this drive)
SB Audigy 2 Soundcard
ATI Radeon 9600 Pro 128MB
DVD-R 2x Toshiba
DVD-ROM Mitsumi 16X
On board Lan Gigabit (intel) 10/100

Keep in mind this computer works flawlessly, however I will explain the problem at the bottom.

Here's Comp. 2

AMD Athlon XP 1800+
Windows XP Pro (legitamate version!)
256MB PC133 SDRAM
Maxtor 40GB 7200
WD 120GB 7200
CD-RW Mitsumi
48X CD-ROM
Soundblaster Live
VooDoo5
Realtek netowrk adapter

I have (Had!) both computers networked together via a Linksys Wirless Access Point (BEFW11S4) and also a laptop connected wirelessly via USB Netgear adapter. Everything worked great for about 4 months until yesterday when I went to experiment. I purchased a D-Link DWL-520 Wireless PCI card for Computer # 1 about a week ago and put it in Comp. # 1. No problems w/ installation. However, it was not receiving any packets, only sending them, up to 400,000 after a day. I played with some settings, no avail. I Didn't bother with it any longer because the wired connection was working. However, I purchased that card because I eventually wanted to move the computer. That move came sooner than I thought. Before I moved it, I left it in the same room (about 5 feet from the router). This time, I uninstalled the wired connection. Wireless still didn't work, this is after numerous attempts at uninstalling, removing the card physically, and trying again. It kept prompting me for the available network (linksys) however It wouldn't connect, if you hit connect, the screen just came up over and over. All security features were always disabled on the router and card. Things seemed to get worse over time. For whatever reason, I soon lost the capability to disable and remove and connections from the Network Connections panel. At this point I figured I would cut my losses and just try you guys. However, here's the curveball. I goto re-install the wired connection and it doesn't work. I went through the motions numerous times, (at this point, i have abandoned the router and just connected it directly, narrowing down the possibilities) I went through the network setup wizard a few times, tried command prompt ipconfig/renew/release commands, still didn't work. At this point I tried using a different ethernet card, a realtek, the one that was in Comp # 2 working fine. Didn't work. It is obvious the problem is somewhere in Windows but I don't know where. Here's the other slider.....the computer I am working on is comp. # 2, using the wireless d-link card!! I just wanted to see if maybe the card was bad, apparently not. Any idea's? I'm pretty desperate.

Thanks for reading the novel!
Mike

[excuzzzeme]

On occasion if you try to "repair" a connection with XP's wizard, it enables bridging and firewall protectection you don't want when behind a router. Check to make sure the connection didn't get bridged.
You didn't mention if you are using DHCP or what controls it. Theoretically, mixing brands shouldn't matter but I have found that it does on occasion.
You tried ipconfig /release /renew but no mention of address. Have you checked you IP address' to see if your network is configured properly? Did you check each machine to see what protocols are bound to the NIC? Are you pointing to the right gateway?