I have a Windows 2000 PC that I use for designing water bottle labels. I use one network card to connect to a router for internet (Local Area Connection). And I also had to install another network card in order to link up to my label printer directly (Local Area Connection 2).
Both my internet and label printer work but not without confusion. My problem only occurs on one side – When I’m trying to browse the internet. I can print at any given time to my printer and never have a problem. It responds immediately and prints perfect. The problem is when I decide to jump on the internet, or check e-mail, or anything for that matter that uses my other NIC. As I watch my network connections in the taskbar, my computer can’t figure out which NIC to use…the one linked to my printer, or the one linking to the router. Sometimes after 15-20 seconds it will figure it out and resolve a webpage. Other times it never can do it, so I’m forced to disable my printer connection and then retry. And often, I never even have to do a thing…it will connect immediately and allow me to surf.
The only component installed on my printer NIC is ‘TCP/IP’, I’ve removed any other settings.
My question is if there is any way to force my computer to ONLY use ‘Local Area Connection’ when I try to access the internet. Is there any way to “assign” it that job? I’m tired of it wandering from NIC to NIC aimlessly with no idea of what’s going on or where to go! Me, nor my computer know for that matter…please help. Thank you.