We have 2 computers at home on a router. We can't browse each other's computer and we can't play games together by connecting to the other's IP address. Is there a way to get another IP than the one given by the router so we can connect? Or some other solution?

Thank you very much


Windows XP
Mac OSX 10.2.8

Easiest way would be to connect via ethernet so you're networked.

I presume you forwarded a port to allow LW access right? If you're using LW on both computers then you'd need to forward a separate port number for each. Most modem-routers have internal NAT firewalls. So people would be having major problems uploading from either of you. One way to check is to open LW & leave it on at least 30 mins on each comp & then do this test: Bug Report instructions & sample image If the report says False then you're firewalled for that port no. This is probably why you can't see each other.

What's more, for LW one separate port per instance of each computer is all that's necessary. BUT for games it's a different story. Many games require multiple ports to be opened. You'd need to check your game instructions for net use & see the advanced instructions about this to find out which ports are required to be opened.

SO what modem-router brand & model number(s) are you using? Perhaps I can direct you to some instructions on how to do it if there's any online.

The router we are using is: Lynksys Etherfast cable/dsl router with 4-port switch.

The modem is: Motorola SB4101 SURFboard cable modem.

I'm windows impaired so could you explain to me how to change the port numbers on that computer?

Thank you very much.

I don't have specific instructions for that model Motorolla. Manual for your modem If it's a switch I presume it can't be PF for the Linksys You didn't give a model for the router. Could check here: http://www.portforward.com/routers.htm

Hmm upon review thru the manual I couldn't find any info about opening ports. The issue could be with your router.

The router model no. is: BEFSR41

I thought about the ethernet connection, but we both only have one ethernet port. So I don't see how we could connect to each other directly and use only one computer's internet connection.

Does it exist an ethernet port splitter like you would use for tv cables?

Could it be just a matter of compatibility between macs and pcs?

By the way, the only way I found to browse the windows host is to search a file that I know the windows computer has. I get a hit that has blue stars instead of yellow and if I press "browse host" before there are other hits, I get to see what's in the other computer and the download is way faster. But my problem still resides when I want to do a "direct connect".

So you can browse the windows computer. I didn't think you could earlier. So with your browsers from each computer go to http://www.whatismyip.com/ & tell us if the ip's are the same. If not then that's the ip you should use to DC. I'm thinking you might need to set up a different listening port for one of the computers. Say one uses port 6346 & the other 6348 or 6342 etc. You can set that in Tools>Options>Advanced>Port/Firewall settings or mac that's LW Prefs of course instead of Tools.

Looks like we have the same IP. We tried changing the ports on the windows one and that didn't do anything. Then we tried changing the ports on the mac and that didn't work either.

On my mac, I changed some of the file sharing settings to allow windows files sharing (oups!...) and also the LW port to 6348. I restarted LM and now I have a new paragraph in the "direct connect" window that says: when your friends want to connect to you they should enter...
So it seems like my mac can now allow direct connect, but the windows computer doesn't have that paragraph and still doesn't direct connect to me or vice-versa.
I went on the Lynksys website, but I don't understand how to assign a static IP to foward a port and I would hate screwing up the other computer.
We now decided to trash the LM that was in the windows computer and we are downloading the latest version. We will see if this could help resolve our problem.

I'm a little different. I run both mac & windows 2k on my computer & have them both running LW. Strange huh! You guessed it, I'm using Virtual PC. They are networked together but I still haven't fathomed how to get them talking to each other. I can't even seem to browse the other. So you're doing better than me. My issue I don't need to explain (have same ip no. & port forwarded for the mac. More complicated when it's the same comp.)

I have a link for setting up a static ip instructions for Linksys. But if you're concerned then that's ok. Get it wrong & it can be a nuisance!

Remember that if you want to browse or DC then it's always best to have Chat enabled on both.