First the details
Cable modem->wireless router (going to my dad's laptop) -> hub -> my Gentoo computer and my brothers WinXP computer. Samba is set up and configured correctly as far as I know, as well as Lisa. smb.conf checks out ok.

I want to share folders between all the computers and serve a printer from this (Gentoo) one.

The problem, when I try to ping GentooLinuxServer, nothing happens. I can ping myself and and the router, but neither of the other computers.

The strange thing is, in the samba logs, there is an empty log file called "levi", which is my dad's laptop's name. So it seems like it can see that it's there.

my /etc/hosts file contains 192.168.0.2 localhost

I hope that is enough information to get some idea of what I might be able to try. I tried searching through the forums, but couldn't find anything that would help me. I mostly just saw people who said "can you ping the windows machines?", and the people always could,,

this is more than likely a fire wall that has been set up... maybe even on both sides.

you can use tcpdump, to help you trouble shoot your connections...
I would only connection one other system at time, unless you have ethereal on your system.. it would be hard to sift threw the tcpdump output if their are more then two systems connected.. and broadcasting.

On your XP box, check your service. By default on XP Pro, they have a firewall turned on that blocks pings. I don't remember what the service is called.. something like ISPEC rings a bell, but don't bet on that.. just look. Turn it off, and set its start up to manual.

Check to see if you can ping your linux box.
if no response, did you see anything on your tcpdum ??

check your iptables
iptables -L : should list your current settings.

you could also try to run putty on your Win boxes.. and try to connect to your linux boxes.. they run off a different port, and is normally open. though I'm not that familiar with Gentoo.

Hope this helps you out.. let me know how it goes.

Scott

are tcpdump and iptables programs that need to be installed? I get command not found on both of them.

I tried adding each host to /etc/hosts and I can ping at least one of them now. Unfortunately everybody took their laptops away so I have to wait until tonight to test it out again :/

problem solved.. I had samba set up incorrectly.