PCs and me.

I think I'm computer savvy. Have Linux running on my desktop, have Linux on one of my laptops, and two others are currently running XP. Managed to generate XP ISO disks off "dead" laptop and reinstalled...

But its wearing me down!! After the move, things haven't gone smoothly with the PCs, network, WIFI, printers...

What do you all of you do when you have issues with your computers, printers, network?

Do you call a GeekSquad and pay through the nose?
Do you have a child who is computer savvy and seem to have endless energy like the Everready bunny?
Do you chuck the machine and get a whole new thing?
Do you have a geek/computer savvy friend whom you ask for help?
something else?

I just feel so beaten down right now.
Had computer problem. then network wasn't working right. network printer is still not networked and working off USB off one computer, WIFI is still dead but decided that my WIFI router is dead. One other printer wore out so we bought a new one but I haven't had the energy to plug it into the network.
My network isn't that big.
2 VoIP phone.
2 full time computers XP and Linux
3 part time laptops: two XP, one Linux all through WIFI
1 HP color laser printer
1 EPSON Artisan color inkjet for photo printing
1 4G modem for internet connection
1 5-port switch
1 8-port switch
1 Acess Point (AP) yet to be hooked up to bypass WIFI router and us AP as a bridge to my WIFI connected computers.

And lastly how big are your network?

I'm not a complete tech imbecile, but obviously a lot less savvy than you are - but the one red flag I'm seeing, that sometimes appears to cause problems with us, is how many devices are on your network.

If you're on a residential account with your ISP, they usually limit the number of devices you can have connected at one time. Ours is limited to five. If we accidentally have more than that logged into the network at the same time, things can get wonky.

What I would do is try to isolate where the problem is, if you haven't already tried to do this. Maybe Start by just having your modem connected and one computer connected to it. Then add a switch and connect a computer through the switch and see if that works. Continue to add components one by one until you find a failure. When something fails to connect, then attempt to isolate where the failure is. Like turn off and/or unplug the devices that you already know are working but which aren't in the communication path. Then attempt to simplify further if need be to see which device or combination of devices has the problem. I know that maybe easier said then done sometimes.

And if you have already tried all this and you still can't figure out where the problems are, then maybe either contact a Geek friend or hire a geek. It could be some incompatibility issues between different vendors hardware, or maybe you need to update some drivers, or something else.

If you hire someone, make sure they are well versed with setting up networks and explain to them what you have in your network and everything you have already tried. There is no point in paying someone to do something you have already tried. By any chance do you have any kind of support contract or warranty with the 4G modem/internet connection you got? Maybe even a support number. I'm not saying the problem is with the modem, but some internet companies will set up your network for a fee. Just make sure you tell them what all you have and what you tried and get a price ahead of time. And of course ask what happens if they can't get it to work.

As for what do I do when I run into issues, I would try to isolate the issue, and then probably try googling to see if others have run into similar problems, and then talk to some of my nerd friends to see what their thoughts are on it. I work with software engineers and they will often know as much or possibly more than the for hire geeks, so for me personally, I probably wouldn't hire someone unless absolutely necessary.

Wow. That's a lot of stuff to hook up. Don't worry about all the printers and other stuff right now. Start with the basics and go from one item to the next one by one. Yes, it will take time since you have so many things to work with and you'll need to do it one at a time. Try to have a day that's quiet so you can work without interuption.

Start with your main computer and set it up. Make sure the internet connection is working via your modem. Depending on your provider they should be able to troubleshoot any internet connections/modems or reset it.

Once you get the internet connection up and you know your main computer is working just fine, check your wifi modem by hooking up one of the laptops. If you need to buy a new wifi modem, do so. Mine blows out every so often. Go through each laptop and other items that need wifi one at a time checking connections. If something isn't working, set it off to the side.

Make sure each item is compatible with 4G including software. Does XP work with 4G?

Your modem should have a site that has your stuff on it to make adjustments and see if the addresses are right and if your security levels like WEP are messing up your connections. If you buy a new modem KEEP the information and write down any numbers/passcodes on the paper. That has saved my sanity several times.

Check your ports to make sure they are working for items that need one.

Check if any firewall software programs are messing with your stuff.

You may need to update drivers.

Make sure you have the right cords for each item. Some cords are interchangable, others aren't.

If you get frustrated take a break and walk away until you are ready to try again. It's not hard, just time consuming going through all your items. If you can, simplify what you need and what you use occasionally.

Thank you Oak, Sylvia, and Beth.

Gave me time to decompress and re-think of my problem.

Long story short:

There is a bug in the installer whereby IP address it finds for the system resource is corrupt. IP address for the printer was wrong so manually fixed along with few other parameters and now the printer is on line.

This happened on both the XP and Linux box on-line full time. My AP (access point WI-FI) will be reprogrammed manually so that I wouldn't have this problem. I think there may be a bug in the local DHCP server inside my 4G modem. grrr!!!! No wonder I'm having problem with just about every resource on my network.

No.. No.. No.. Its not the number of devices, tho simplifying during troubleshooting does help, adding stuff back in and sees where it breaks.

I have two laptops (but have had two additional work laptops hooked up), one desktop, two smart phones, two iPads, three directTV receivers, Playstation 3, networked printer, then the router and switches to hook all that stuff up... Plus the Wii we hardly ever use anymore.

Of course I do have 30mb/s broadband over fiber running to the house too :D

Good luck!!