I have identified two problems with my small (2-computer) home network that I think are related. I want to change, on one machine, from the wireless connection to a wired one because the machine is right next to the router and I think it should be significantly faster. HOWEVER, a) when I have the network cable plugged in (on this Toshiba laptop a program called ConfigFree automatically switches off WiFi when it sees a wired connection – same computer name, different IP) the computer “hangs” before showing icons on the desktop (unplugging the cable results in the computer then booting normally), and b) if I let the system boot up and THEN plug in the cable, the wired machine can use the internet, the WiFi machine can use files on the wired machine…but the wired machine can’t see files or print to the printer on the other machine. It can ping the other machine by IP or name. Is there a solution…or am I basically stuck with WiFi when I’d rather plug in?
Turn off the wireless with the hard switch on your toshiba before you plug the cable in
Try this with the wireless connection disabled. The machine may be trying to use the wireless even with wireless off. Also check for updated drivers for the LAN card.
The first thing is that you cannot have two computers with the same name on the same network. Even if one is wired and one is wireless. Because they are connected through the Router, you are getting a system error, because they are the same name. First I would rename them accordingly, then set them up the way you want them. Then go to the Command Prompt, and try to run ipconfig /renew. This will reset all the IP addresses for both. Next you might want to restart them to ensure it works.