The Free Alternative to Expensive Computer Repair

Problem: My home network computers can't see each other!

Solution:Home networks that share computers running different Operating Systems ie: Windows XP and Vista seem to be the main culprits of this irritating problem. One thing to check is to make sure that all of the computers on the network are members of the same workgroup. Often this is the only problem and will solve the connectivity problem. To do this in XP, click on Start/Control Panel/System and choose the Computer Name tab and verify that the workgroup name is the correct one. If it isn't click Change and type in the correct name in the box under Workgroup, click OK and restart the computer. Do this to each computer on the network.

In Vista, click Start/Control Panel, type "workgroup" in the seach panel. Then click workgroup name. 

Want to check your internet speed? You can do this at Speedtest.net  

Wireless Networks

 Here's a video on setting up the seurity on a wireless router. The router they are using is a DLINK but the setup is similar for most other wireless routers.

Note: In the video it addresses the possibility of using MAC address filtering to allow only specified devices to use the network. With MAC address filtering there is no need for an encrypted password.  This is a good idea, but just remember that there are a lot of videos on Youtube and other places that explain how to change your Mac address in order to bypass this security feature.