File Sharing Windows 98

[JohnC]

Running WIndows XP Pro. Just installed Windows XP SP2.
Now I can't share my shared folder with a Windows 98 PC
on my home network. Windows Firewall is active with
exceptions to allow print and file sharing.

 

[Kent W. England [MVP]]

JohnC wrote on 28-Aug-2004 9:39 AM:

Running WIndows XP Pro. Just installed Windows XP SP2.
Now I can't share my shared folder with a Windows 98 PC
on my home network. Windows Firewall is active with
exceptions to allow print and file sharing.

If you are behind a cable/DSL router, you can disable the Windows
firewall and see if file sharing works then.

Check in Folder Options to verify that simple file sharing is enabled,
assuming that is how you had it setup before. Simple file sharing
doesn't require user IDs to access shares. Also make sure that whatever
folder you were sharing is still shared.

Check the scope of the firewall exceptions to make sure that your 98 PC
is covered in that scope. If you are using a local private IP subnet,
like 192.168.0.x, make sure that the scope is correct. Select File and
Printer sharing, click Edit and then make sure that "My network (subnet)
only" is selected. Verify that your 98 and XP computers are both on the
same subnet, such as 192.168.0.2 and 192.168.0.3 with mask of 255.255.255.0.

 

[Guest]

I am behind a router.

Both Windows 98 and Windows XP PCs are on subnet mask 255.255.255.0
Both PCs are under subnet 192.168.0.1##
The Windows 98 PC can ping the Windows XP PC
The Windows 98 PC can print to a shared printer resource on the Win XP PC
albeit very slow.

On Windows XP PC
Simple File Sharing is selected
Folder is Shared
Firewall is on. Exception: File and Print Sharing
File and Print Sharing Edit: TCP 139, 445, UDP 137, 138
File and Print Sharing, Edit, Change Scope: "My network (subnet) only"
is selected

Still can't share the folder on Windows XP PC with Windows 98 PC.

John

 

[Kent W. England [MVP]]

JohnC wrote on 28-Aug-2004 1:47 PM:

I am behind a router.

Both Windows 98 and Windows XP PCs are on subnet mask 255.255.255.0
Both PCs are under subnet 192.168.0.1##
The Windows 98 PC can ping the Windows XP PC
The Windows 98 PC can print to a shared printer resource on the Win XP PC
albeit very slow.

On Windows XP PC
Simple File Sharing is selected
Folder is Shared
Firewall is on. Exception: File and Print Sharing
File and Print Sharing Edit: TCP 139, 445, UDP 137, 138
File and Print Sharing, Edit, Change Scope: "My network (subnet) only"
is selected

Still can't share the folder on Windows XP PC with Windows 98 PC.

You've checked all the common problems that would stop XP-XP file
sharing, but mixed version networks are more problematic. I would
disable the firewall entirely (you are protected by the router) and see
if you can get file sharing to work. Then you can try re-enabling the
firewall, if you want.

 

[Guest]

Thanks. Yes I had already tried disabling Windows Firewall and it didn't work.

Weird thing though... I was slowly taking steps to prepare to remove SP2
but before removal, for some reason, my Windows 98 PC can now access the
shared files on my Windows XP PC.

I was making backups of My Docs, and PST files and decided to uninstall SQL
Server 2005 Express Edition, and NET Framework Version 2.0 Redistributable
Package Beta 1 (x86).

And then my Windows 98 PC was able to read the shared documents folder on
the Windows XP machine. I also noticed that the shared name changed from
Shared Documents to My Documents. The Windows 98 PC picked up the new shared
name no problem.

Weird...

John

 

[Eric Cross [MVP]]

Greetings JohnC,

Just for your information, keep the share name 12 characters or less. If the
share name is longer than 12 characters the folder cannot be access by other
computers running Windows 98, Windows Me, or any other previous versions of
Windows.

________________
Eric Cross
Microsoft MVP (Windows Networking)
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[tomz]

Don't know if this will help, but I added passwords to both of my
computers and changed the firewall setting for file and print sharing
from subnet to custom(i then listed one specific IP address) and all
seems to work again.
I had the same problem as you, but with two XP sp computers....
Regards,
Tomz

 

[Guest]

My problem is the other way around. After upgrading to WinXP SP2, I can no
longer access my shared files in computers running windows 98, although I can
still see the computers connected via "My Network Places" (i.e., Computer2,
Computer3... etc.). But when I tried to open the computer it always display a
message that I don't have privileges to access these files (I am log-on with
Administrator access). I have already enabled file sharing in firewall
setting.

In addition, using the computers with windows 98, the computername with
WinXP in it (Computer1) is not usually displayed in Network Neighboorhood,
sometimes it does. In order to access Computer1, I have to type in
\\Computer1 in address bar. Accessing shared files in other PC with Win98 is
very easy and in a flash.

I have 1 PC with WinXP SP2 (act as server and internet gateway) and 8 PCs
with Win98 (as client) connected in a LAN switcher.

Looking forward for your assistance.

Arnold Lamberte

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

On Mon, 11 Oct 2004 19:25:02 -0700, Arnold Lamberte <Arnold

My problem is the other way around. After upgrading to WinXP SP2, I can no
longer access my shared files in computers running windows 98, although I can
still see the computers connected via "My Network Places" (i.e., Computer2,
Computer3... etc.). But when I tried to open the computer it always display a
message that I don't have privileges to access these files (I am log-on with
Administrator access). I have already enabled file sharing in firewall
setting.

In addition, using the computers with windows 98, the computername with
WinXP in it (Computer1) is not usually displayed in Network Neighboorhood,
sometimes it does. In order to access Computer1, I have to type in
\\Computer1 in address bar. Accessing shared files in other PC with Win98 is
very easy and in a flash.

I have 1 PC with WinXP SP2 (act as server and internet gateway) and 8 PCs
with Win98 (as client) connected in a LAN switcher.

Arnold,

please use http://www.michna.com/kb/wxnet.htm to determine the
solution.

Hans-Georg

 

[Guest]

Dear Hans-Georg,

I have tried some of your suggestions. But nothing happens, I can not still
access my shared files from PCs with win98 using PC with winXP. I was finally
able to access my files by configuring the firewall installed in PC with
win98 and open netBIOS service. However, it took some time before winXP can
access my shared files (around 5 to 10 seconds). In addition, ping is still
not working. Is there anything I can do to resolve this?


you wrote:

Arnold,

please use http://www.michna.com/kb/wxnet.htm to determine the
solution.

Hans-Georg

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

you wrote:

I have tried some of your suggestions. But nothing happens, I can not still
access my shared files from PCs with win98 using PC with winXP. I was finally
able to access my files by configuring the firewall installed in PC with
win98 and open netBIOS service. However, it took some time before winXP can
access my shared files (around 5 to 10 seconds). In addition, ping is still
not working. Is there anything I can do to resolve this?

Arnold,

could you please copy the selections line just underneath the
form in http://www.michna.com/kb/wxnet.htm after filling in the
form and post it here? After you'll have done that, your problem
will be solved quickly.

I'm surprised that the page should not have produced the exact
solution to your problem. Normally it does that.

Hans-Georg

 

[Jack]

Hi

May be a bigger scope of the issue (i.e. more reading) might help:
http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html

Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[Guest]

Dear Hans-Georg,

Here it is:
Selections: os=1 ip=1 ping=1 third_party_firewall=1
computer_not_accessible=1 network_path_not_found=1

By the way, on my win98 PC, the following network components were installed;
Client for Microsoft Networks, LAN adapter NIC, TCP/IP, NetBEUI, IPX/SPX,
File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks. PC-Cillin Internet Security
2004 with Personal firewall active, most of the services were active
including NetBios.

On my PC with winXP SP2, the following were installed; Client for Microsoft
Networks, LAN adapter NIC, TCP/IP, File and printer sharing for Microsoft
Networks, and QoS. Built-in firewall for winXP active with NetBIOS and File
and Print sharing enabled.

I was finally able to connect to network PC with win98 after activating
NetBIOS but can't ping. Also, the connection was very slow, it took me an
average of 10 sec to connect. Net view \\computer is working fine.

Before, I am using the firewall that is built in with PC-Cillin Internet
Security 2004 and there is no connection problem.

I am thinking to totally disable the built-in firewall of SP2 and just use
the Personal firewall of PC-Cillin. However, I am not sure it will protect my
PCs. Before SP2, I am having problems with spywares, hijackers, etc.

Looking forward. Thanks.

 

[Guest]

Dear Jack,

Thanks for the help, I will try some of your recommendations and see if it
will solve my problem. Is there something in SP2 that prevent file and print
sharing connection with older OS? This problem only occurred after updating
my server to SP2. For now, I just can't upgrade my client PCs to winXP
because based on my experience winXP is hard to configure and there is
installation problem with old gaming and cafe billing softwares. The users
need to have an administration access before they could use the games and I
don't want to do that. With win98, if anything goes wrong, I just copy the
windows directory from other PC and in no time at all everything works.
Anyway, I am using Winboost, Spybot - Search and Destroy, PC-Cillin Internet
Security 2004, and Registry Protector just in case.

By the way, I am operating an internet cafe.

Looking forward,

Arnold Lamberte

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

Here it is:
Selections: os=1 ip=1 ping=1 third_party_firewall=1
computer_not_accessible=1 network_path_not_found=1

By the way, on my win98 PC, the following network components were installed;
Client for Microsoft Networks, LAN adapter NIC, TCP/IP, NetBEUI, IPX/SPX,
File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks. PC-Cillin Internet Security
2004 with Personal firewall active, most of the services were active
including NetBios.

On my PC with winXP SP2, the following were installed; Client for Microsoft
Networks, LAN adapter NIC, TCP/IP, File and printer sharing for Microsoft
Networks, and QoS. Built-in firewall for winXP active with NetBIOS and File
and Print sharing enabled.

Arnold,

thanks for posting the selections.

I don't understand where in the Windows XP SP2 firewall you
could enable NetBIOS. I don't have such a selection.

The selection yields 11 hits, 9 of them specific to your
problem. Which of the proposals have not yet followed? The
solution is probably in these.

I was finally able to connect to network PC with win98 after activating
NetBIOS but can't ping. Also, the connection was very slow, it took me an
average of 10 sec to connect. Net view \\computer is working fine.

You could now change the selections in the form in
http://www.michna.com/kb/wxnet.htm accordingly, i.e. now select
slow and deselect the choices that no longer apply. Then see the
solution.

I would certainly try to uninstall the third party firewall and
rely only on the Windows XP Service Pack 2 firewall for a test.
If this works well, you can still decide to obtain a stronger
firewall, but see my router recommendation below.

I have a few general recommendations.

1. Stop using Windows 98 and use Windows XP Home (or
Professional) instead. It is more reliable.

2. Invest in a good WAN (Wide Area Network) router, also called
broadband router or DSL router. One recommendation would be the
appropriate one from the DrayTek Vigor line of WAN routers.

Don't get a very cheap router if you have intense use from
several clients. The SMC and Linksys class will not be robust
enough. D-Link would be better or the recommended DrayTek.

Hans-Georg

 

[Guest]

Dear Hans-Georg,

The NetBIOS selection is on PC-Cillin 2004 Personal firewall installed on
win98 PCs. I tried Jack recommendation of installing NetBEUI in winXP and it
works. Communicating with win98 PC is now very fast. However, ping service is
still not working. I tried disabling Windows firewall but nothing works, but
disabling Personal firewall on win98 PC seems the right thing to do,
everything works even ping. Afterwards, I re-enabled it to protect my win98
PC, then ping is disabled again. Anyway, I am happy now that file and print
sharing is working fine after installation of NetBUI.

I only tried two selections, "Workgroup is not working" and "Network path
not found". I will try other options within the week. I will also look into
buying new DSL router, I am using SMC.

Thanks for the help.

Arnold Lamberte

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

The NetBIOS selection is on PC-Cillin 2004 Personal firewall installed on
win98 PCs. I tried Jack recommendation of installing NetBEUI in winXP and it
works. Communicating with win98 PC is now very fast. However, ping service is
still not working. I tried disabling Windows firewall but nothing works, but
disabling Personal firewall on win98 PC seems the right thing to do,
everything works even ping. Afterwards, I re-enabled it to protect my win98
PC, then ping is disabled again. Anyway, I am happy now that file and print
sharing is working fine after installation of NetBUI.

I only tried two selections, "Workgroup is not working" and "Network path
not found". I will try other options within the week. I will also look into
buying new DSL router, I am using SMC.

Arnold,

installing NetBEUI is like patching over the mess. It's like
building a new road because there's a heap of dirt on the
existing one. It can also cause problems of its own when you run
two different transport protocols. Therefore I never go that
way.

I would guess that, if you solved the original problem, you
wouldn't need NetBEUI either.

If you already use a DSL router, why then do you route the
Internet connection through the Windows XP computer? You're
running two cascaded routers, which may well contribute to your
problem. I wouldn't do that and see no need for it. It only
creates additional, useless complexity.

To be sure, how exactly are your devices connected?

Hans-Georg

 

[Guest]

Dear Hans-Georg,

Is there another way to protect my win98 PCs other than Personal firewall
offered by PC-Cillin 2004 or other third-party firewall? Because my problem
is solved by disabling firewall. I tried enabling all the exceptions but it
doesn't work. Upgrading my win98 PCs to winXP is a bit costly (expensive).
Maybe winXP SP2 is doing something to prevent file and print sharing
seamlessly. Before SP2 everything seems to work fine even with firewall
enabled with lesser exceptions on win98 PCs.

Actually I am using the ADSLmodem/router only for my winXP and then it act
as gateway to share my internet connection to my win98 PCs. I have 8 PCs with
win98 connected to the PC with winXP via LAN switcher. I do this because I
want to monitor the internet connection on my client PCs and at the same time
run my cafe billing software. In addition, winXP PC is acting as proxy
server. I intend to use the remaining port of my router for my personal use.

I am running 3 protocols on win98 PCs; TCP/IP, NetBUI and IPX/SPX. While on
winXP, only TCP/IP and NetBEUI (before SP2 its only TCP/IP). File and Print
sharing is enabled on both PCs. The win98 PCs is used mostly for LAN and
internet gaming and browsing.

I have a question, will the Windows firewall good enough to protect my
network if I will disable the firewall on my win98 PCs?

Thanks for the help.

Arnold Lamberte

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

Is there another way to protect my win98 PCs other than Personal firewall
offered by PC-Cillin 2004 or other third-party firewall? Because my problem
is solved by disabling firewall. I tried enabling all the exceptions but it
doesn't work. Upgrading my win98 PCs to winXP is a bit costly (expensive).
Maybe winXP SP2 is doing something to prevent file and print sharing
seamlessly. Before SP2 everything seems to work fine even with firewall
enabled with lesser exceptions on win98 PCs.

Actually I am using the ADSLmodem/router only for my winXP and then it act
as gateway to share my internet connection to my win98 PCs. I have 8 PCs with
win98 connected to the PC with winXP via LAN switcher. I do this because I
want to monitor the internet connection on my client PCs and at the same time
run my cafe billing software. In addition, winXP PC is acting as proxy
server. I intend to use the remaining port of my router for my personal use.

I am running 3 protocols on win98 PCs; TCP/IP, NetBUI and IPX/SPX. While on
winXP, only TCP/IP and NetBEUI (before SP2 its only TCP/IP). File and Print
sharing is enabled on both PCs. The win98 PCs is used mostly for LAN and
internet gaming and browsing.

I have a question, will the Windows firewall good enough to protect my
network if I will disable the firewall on my win98 PCs?

Arnold,

the firewall protecting you from attacks from the Internet
should be the one in your router.

Your computers should all be connected to your router. If the
router does not have enough Ethernet ports for all computers,
you should connect a switch directly to the router and some
computers directly to the switch. No computer should have
Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) enabled. All computers should
be set to obtain their IP addresses automatically, unless there
is an overriding reason to use fixed IP addresses. In that case,
the router has to be set up carefully to avoid IP address
conflicts.

If you need the IPX protocol for games, you have to have it, of
course. I would consider disabling all bindings in the advanced
settings of the network connection, such that the Windows
network uses TCP/IP only. Alternatively you could disable all
Windows network bindings from the TCP/IP protocol and use only
IPX for Windows networking.

I would remove NetBEUI from all computers. It serves no purpose
and will not help you in any way.

All software firewalls should be uninstalled, except the one
that comes with Windows XP, unless you have an overriding reason
to use them. If you do, they have to be set up properly.

Hans-Georg

 

[Guest]

Dear Hans-Georg,

I will consider all your recommendations. I will disable the Personal
firewall that comes with PC-Cillin 2004. By the way, why would somebody
suggests on using NetBEUI in a network when it is not necessary? I have even
came across a website suggesting to install the 3 protocols on a network. So,
as I started installing my network I would always do that.

Anyway, thanks for the help.


Warmest Regards,

Arnold Lamberte