Computers Discussions

If I am reading this correctly, you have a standard 4 port router/switch.  If this is the case all four ports should be enabled out-of-the-box.  If not then you'll need to reach out to the manufacture and see how to turn the ports on.  You might also have a defective router/switch.  What is the make and model of the router?

I'm wondering whether both your computers are set up with the same fixed IP address. If this is the case, there would be a conflict in which they are both vying for the same IP address and all IP addresses need to be unique.

For each computer you need to make certain that for the TCP/IP properties have the following selected:

Obtain an IP address automatically.

Obtain DNS server address automatically.

This will allow the router to dynamically set the IP address and the DNS server address for each computer. If you need to change anything in the TCP/IP properties, I believe a reboot is required.

I would go about it like this. 1. With the single computer plugged in and working, move the cable to each of the routers ports. If it only works in one port then you have isolated the problem to the router, and can configure or return the router as needed. 2. Configure each of the client computers with a static and DIFFERENT IP addr. If they were not the same to begin with, look in the router settings, mine has the ability to limit the number of clients it will service (by restricting the range of viable IP addresses.) Make sure you have at least 3 (one is the router itself don't forget) 3. Once you get both computers working with fixed IP's then you can change them as seeker says, to obtain ip's dynamically, but you also must configure the router as a dhcp server.