Networking issues - LAN access, but not recognised...

Hi all,
I've looked around in the forums and can't find the information I was looking for (apart from a couple of straight set-ups, that don't explain my problem).

I've got four machines running off a Netgear 834 router/modem. At the moment we're not connected to ADSL, I was just getting set up in advance. However, one of my computers (notably the one connected furthest away - a 15 metre RJ45 connector) is not recognised by the router. The light is on - suggesting connection - but when asked to look for the network the computer can't find it (IP cannot be resolved). If I then force it to recognise the router as the outgoing point for the internet (i.e. local gateway) & put in a static IP it CAN find the network - but seems to assume it's the internet. We can then use it as a normal LAN, but I have worries that when we get ADSL it won't be able to access the internet.

Similarly, I've run the WinXP networking diagnostic, and it's pinging fine, & I can find the router & config pages through it's IP on the LAN.

I was relatively happy with my botched solution, until I went to the router config pages & checked "devices attached" - which shows all my other computers, but not the one upstairs.

Any help would be much appreciated. All computers are running XP, barring a laptop which we haven't got problems with (Apple).

Regards

Nomoretime

umm you could try to make a connection manually in control panel>network connections also if it is wireless make sure there is nothing in the way, you said it is upstairs, there might be something in a wall that is blocking the signal, is it is wired make sure the cable are plugged in properly.

Follow the straight-forward setups as suggested in other posts (e.g. by me)

A few basic setups when networking:

Router-setup WAN:
Protocol: Fixed IP (this is for the internal LAN, even if your ISP may give you a variable IP)
IP-address, Subnetmask and default Gateway: as per ISP-information
DNS-servers: as per ISP-information
Enable NAT

Router-setup LAN:
IP-address: set to e.g. 192.168.1.254 (or use default)
Subnetmask: 255.255.255.0
DHCP-server: disable

Router: Some System-settings (depending on your router)
Optional SNTP (time): e.g. 194.35.252.7 for UK/Ireland (GMT)
uPnP: disable
Dynamic routing: disable
Remote config: disable
Dynamic DNS: disable
Firewall: Block hacker attack: enable
Firewall: Block WAN request: enable
VPN: disable all settings unless you need it

PC-Settings
Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
Use the following IP address: 192.168.1.101 (102, 103 etc.)
Subnetmask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.254 (IP-address from your Router)
Use DNS Server address: 192.168.1.254 (IP-address from your Router)
Second DNS: leave blank or put in first DNS-server from WAN-part in Router

Enable File/Printer sharing if you wish (works only within local network)
Check individual printer(s) that they are shared as well (in printer-settings)

And make sure all your PCs are in the same WORKGROUP.