Please help me with my network...

[Tokimemofan]

I need help setting up my Playstation 2 and Xbox 360 on my network. Below is a map of my network, note that physically the Wi-Fi line crosses between 2 different rooms and therefore I can only change the software configuration of the stuff on the left side of the map and the router. I have full controll over Computer 3 and everything south of it. This network is set to use static IP addresses because of problems caused by DHCP. Solving this problem would be a simple task if Windows 2000 could bridge connections like Windows XP but it can't I also tried ICS but I don't think this is a supported configuration and it didn't work. Thanks for any help you can offer.
BTW the forum removed the spaces I used for formatting, so I made an text file instead.

[Lerxstnj]

Connect the switch directly to the router, not thru PC3.

[Tokimemofan]

They are in 2 different rooms, neither moving the router nor connecting directly to it are feasible options. I built this network back when I had a Windows XP laptop at the Computer 3 location, but the Windows 2000 doesn't have the network bridging options that I used before.

[Cornelius]

I'm not really understanding what your problem is for certain. Am I right that the Win2k machine isn't passing through like it should (I'm not expert, so I don't know the lingo at all)? Seems like ICS should work, but I don't remember how well that is supported in 2k.

If you can't get that going, I don't know how to help with your existing hardware. A relatively cheap solution is to buy a new or old wireless router and run it in client bridge (I think it is called) mode, replacing your ethernet switch. I don't know if those routers support that mode with the manufacturer firmware, but both do if you load them with tomato or ddwrt.

[kedawa]

That's a damned mess. Stop being lazy and set up a proper network.

[Tokimemofan]

I'm not really understanding what your problem is for certain. Am I right that the Win2k machine isn't passing through like it should (I'm not expert, so I don't know the lingo at all)? Seems like ICS should work, but I don't remember how well that is supported in 2k.

If you can't get that going, I don't know how to help with your existing hardware. A relatively cheap solution is to buy a new or old wireless router and run it in client bridge (I think it is called) mode, replacing your ethernet switch. I don't know if those routers support that mode with the manufacturer firmware, but both do if you load them with tomato or ddwrt.

I can surf the net via Computer 3 and if I add a Computer 4 to the switch instead of a Playstation 2/Xbox 360 I can transfer files between Computers 3 and 4 but I cannot then access the Internet from Computer 4. it seems like there should be some software or settings to fix this since Microsoft implemented an option in Windows XP that I have used for this exact situation. Also buying another router is a difficult option due to the number of power cables I already have connected.

[Cornelius]

I can surf the net via Computer 3 and if I add a Computer 4 to the switch instead of a Playstation 2/Xbox 360 I can transfer files between Computers 3 and 4 but I cannot then access the Internet from Computer 4. it seems like there should be some software or settings to fix this since Microsoft implemented an option in Windows XP that I have used for this exact situation. Also buying another router is a difficult option due to the number of power cables I already have connected.

The different router replaces your existing switch, so power cables shouldn't matter.

[Tokimemofan]

Usually I don't even have the switch connected unless I am using it, because of the crappy UPSes I use, which I am not going to rant about here.

[dstone]

Also buying another router is a difficult option due to the number of power cables I already have connected.

Buy a cheap power strip at Wal-Mart for around $3.00 and plug it in to your UPS or good surge suppressor. Move all the wall warts onto it to free up the outlets that they tend to cover up. Power problems solved.

You need to get a wireless bridge, or get an old router and flash it with ddwrt or something similar. This will replace the switch in your configuration. PC3, Xbox360, and PS3 will all plug into this and work fine.

[Emuaust]

Its pretty easy to see that computer 3 isnt passing the internet through to your ethernet switch, you obviously dont have a lot of knowlegde regarding networking or ICS, If I was you id go and replace your ethernet switch with an access point with some ethernet ports, that will fix your problem.

[Tokimemofan]

I know enough to have already figured out most of what has been said here, I came here hoping someone would point to something I missed. I guess I was right to suspect ICS though, thenks. I guess I'll look at my setup on that part next.
Edit: I was also reading a while back that routers and ICS don't get along on the same network. That's probably part of the problem.
Edit 2: I also forgot to mention that I am familiar with Virtual Machine software, would there be an OS that is easy to configure for this application, I have Windows most 32bit Windows versions up to XP (My XP license is tied up and I would have to wipe my system as MCE 2005 doesn't support upgrades) including some server versions. Linux options are also ok but I do prefer Windows since I've installed them over 100 times but I never got a non-live CD Linux to work.
Edit 3: I think I found a solution, based on prior reading this (http://www.windowsnetworking.com/art.../w2kprout.html) seems to be what I need to do and I have 3 ways I can do it too.

[Flack]

Since you only have control over the right hand side of the network, I will only address networking issues on that side.

I take it that Computer 3 has two NICs? One wireless and one ethernet? Theoretically what you have drawn out should work, if configured properly. I'd be interested in seeing another machine (a laptop, perhaps) working when plugged into the ethernet switch. That would tell you if that segment is working. I suspect you may have a routing issue (check default gateways, enable routing, etc). I'd have to see a machine plugged in to the ethernet switch that could ping the top level gateway/router before I did much troubleshooting.