Can't Connect To Computers In The Network

I am trying to connect to a computer in my network so I can send messages (Using a program called ATNotes) without having to be signed into a messenger service.

The problem I am having is with sending notes over the network. It lets you choose to connect by the IP address or the computer name and neither work. I tried pinging the computer name but it doesn't work, but it does work when I ping his IP.

He does have the software on his computer as well. What could be the problem? The firewall (Windows) is set to allow the program on both computers.

Any ideas on how I could regain connectivity with the computers in my network? I guess regain isn't a good word to use since I don't think I've ever really been able to achieve a connection.

 

wait so you can ping him and send him messages if you type in the IP address, is that correct?

The problem with typing his computer name is if the router on your network does not have an name associated to that IP address, when you type in the name of your computer the packet will be lost, it will hit the router but find nothing associated with the name. Meaning your transmission will fail.

*Dell Inspiron 9300, P-M 1.86ghz 533mhz FSB, 1GB DDR2 533mhz ram, 17inch UXGA+ screen with TrueLife, 256mb Nvidia GeForce 6800, 60gb 7200rpm drive, XP Pro SP2, WiFi*

*Sony MDR-G74SL Headphones for music and gaming, best 40 dollar pair i have ever bought!*

 

I can't send a message to his internal IP but I can ping it.

It says that the connection timed out when I try to send the message to him. I'll try forwarding the ports to both of our IPs and test that out.

 

what elias said...

if you can ping his IP, but not the name, then there is a name resolution issue. make sure the router is doing this. if not, i think the LMSHOSTS file on your local machine is where you want to enter the info