problems connecting from home network

[javaman]

Hey everyone. This is my first time diving into amahi and even linux. I followed the instructions (which where brilliant btw) and managed to get up and running. I'm at the point where I've downloaded apps onto the server such as Family connections, and when selected on the server it runs perfectly fine. The problem arises when I try to connect from my laptop at home on the same network. I type HDA into the address bar and gain access ok. When I select an app however I get redirected to a housing website for home.com Browsing the forums I see this is a common problem and I tried troubleshooting it myself without success. Following the steps of the troubleshooter I get to step 4 (Your HDA DNS server)before hitting problems. I downloaded and ran PUTTY and got to the point where I put in my username before the connection times out.
Can anyone explain whats going on and how I should solve it? This is my first attempt at getting into servers so I don't yet understand most of the terms so I apologise if I ask a stupid question.
Thanks in advance for any help.

[apastor]

Your laptop you connected, is it using your HDA for its DNS/DHCP?

I get that issue, if a device is not using HDA as DNS/DHCP., and a reboot usually fixes it.

I have had many devices on my network, and never an issue for connectivity, unless its not using HDA's DNS/DHCP.

If you have a router at home, be sure to disable the DHCP on it, then reboot your devices.