hi
i need some help. i've googled til can't google no more.

here's the prob
i have a netgear cable modem with wireless connected to my upstairs computer
downstairs i have a dlink dir300 connected to a computer and possibly more depending on how many i'm working on at the time. i also have an old di524 that i could use if the dir300 doesn't work.

can someone tell me how i can log into the downstairs network via wireless and transfer files and vise-versa. it is physically impossible to run a cable to the downstairs computers without destroying two walls and a ceiling. and i'm trying not to have to use a nic for the downstairs computer because i'll still be using the dlink router for my work. if you can see what i'm saying.

i can see the two routers from my laptop which has builtin wireless, but the two computers can't see each other.

to make the problem worse the upstairs computer uses the Drededed XP and downstairs i use a variety of Linux distros to repair computers. at the moment all i'm asking for is file sharing. internet access would be a bonus.

i'm stumped, can anyone help with this...please

Can you see the downstairs router? If you can see that, then there are a variety of ways to set up file, printer and internet sharing, connectivity.

If you can not see the downstairs router (I know you called it a modem; there are a lot of modem/routers around.) then there are not too many choices, since a wired connection is not possible.

Some of the newer routers with wireless access points work over longer distances, through more walls etc. You may have to look into the purchase of a N type broadband router. Linksys makes them, I think D-Link does also.

There is a product called an AC Powerline Adapter which uses the AC wiring in your house to transfer data. You plug one of the powerline adapters into a wall jack near your Router and go from one of the Router switch jacks to one of the AC powerline adapter Switch jacks. Set up the encryption. Plug the second AC Power line adapter into a wall jack near the computer on the other floor in your home. Use an ethernet cable to connect the second adapter switch jack to the remote computer and you are in business.

when i log onto the upstairs computer(w/ internet), My Network Place, only shows the router with internet access(Netgear CG814WG v2)but not the downstairs dlink router. i've tried setting the dlink to the same SSID as the upstairs and also using a static IP address with DHCP disabled. and still no connection. is there a program i can use to scan for the dlink and log in?

the other spare router (dlink di-524) has an option for access point. but when i tick the box, i still can't see the dlink upstairs and i can nolonger access the web admin page without reseting the router.

i've also tryed using one dlink upstairs and one downstairs, thinking the two being from the same manufacturer the would talk to each other. but no luck

I think you will find most cards will connect to the strogest signal, first. Have you tried turning off the upstairs router, and then connecting to the downstairs router?

On my XP system, there is a scan facility, it is part os the code supplied with the card.

I have tried a few things on my systems. My XP system has a wireless card I no longer use. The card does not support WPA encryption. My router does, and so do most of the other machines on my home. I'm also hard wired with the XP system, so I don't need the wireless card. I brought it up to find the wireless card can not see my Linksys router, running WPA, only a few inches away from the antenna.

Are you using an open network, WEP encryption; or WPA encryption on down stairs router? If the type of encryption doesn't match, you may not be able to see it. I would try an open connection first, no encryption on the router or the system. This is the easiest to get working. If that works, you can secure things up later.

I guess you are trying to get the access point on one to talk to the other access point. They would need static IP addresses assigned, in the same subnet. To use that with a system, you would need the system plugged ( wired ) to one of the ethernet ports, on a different subnet. I have never tried anything like that with small home routers. Not sure if it would work or not.