Home network with windows 98SE and XP computers doesn't work

[raygk]

Originally I set up a network between a windows 98SE and XP computer
and everything worked except I was unable to get printer sharing.
Unfortunately, a problem during an unrelated upgrade of XP caused me
to resort to a backup clone of the XP operating system (that did not
have networking setup). I have been unable to restore a completely
working network. I've seen many Win98-XP network problems mentioned
on forums (including
http://groups.google.com/group/micr...+with+xp+and+win98+computers#3e595a275207227c)
but I have never seen a problem quite like I have. I've tried many
different things but am not able to solve this. Without networking
experience, I could use some detailed help.

The problem:
I have setup one windows 98SE computer (Dell with 128MB ram) and one
windows XP computer (Blackbox with 2GB ram) connected via a DSL modem/
Router gateway using ethernet cables. Both computers reach the
Internet well.

I am able to share 98SE files and folders with the XP (both reading
and writing) and have setup a mapped drive for a 98SE shared drive on
the XP computer. I can NOT read or write to shared files on the XP
computer from the 98SE computer. Both computers show the shared
folders under their respective network/workgroup screens.

When I attempt to read or map a shared folder from the XP on the 98SE
computer, I get an error message. The message reads: "\\BLACKBOX
\sharedfolder is not available. There is not enough memory to
complete this task. Close some other programs." There are few things
running on the 98SE computer and this same computer was able to read/
write to the XP before.

Setup for the computers:
The 98SE computer uses a Robotics 10/100 PCI NIC TX adapter with:
Client for Microsoft Networks
Dialup Adapter
US Robotics 10/100 PCI MIC TX
IPX/SPX compatible protocol -> Dialup Adapter
IPX/SPX compatible protocol -> US Robotics 10/100 PCI MIC TX
NETBIOS support for IPX/SPX compatible Protocol
TCP/IP -> Dialup Adapter
TCP/IP -> US Robotics 10/100 PCI MIC TX
File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks

The network adapter is bound to the associated IPX/SPX protocol and
TCP/IP

The XP computer using an Attansic L1 Gigabite Ethernet adapter with:
Client for Microsoft Networks
File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks
QoS Packet Scheduler
Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

Summary:
Both computers are connected from network interfaces though ethernet
connections to a SDL modem/Router.
Both computers are connect to the internet and both work with it fine.
Both computers have shared folders defined.
Both computers "see" the network and both show the correct shared
folders for each computer.
Both computers are on a workgroup called "Home".
I can ping from either computer to the other one correctly.
I can write to and read files on the 98SE computer from the XP
computer but not the other way around.
I have turned off both firewalls from the two computers without an
improvement.

I have run out of ideas as to how to get this network to work from the
win98SE computer. I would appreciate any help or suggestions.
Remember, I am not experienced in networking and could use detailed
help.

Thanks in advance.

 

[smlunatick]

Locate the Windows 98 SE user account "name" and create the same user account
on the XP. XP is a secured Windows that needs to have user credentials to
exist for any remote user access (including Windows 98Se "unsecured" systems.)

 

[raygk]

Locate the Windows 98 SE user account "name" and create the same user account
on the XP. XP is a secured Windows that needs to have user credentials to
exist for any remote user access (including Windows 98Se "unsecured" systems.)

Thanks for the response.

The 98SE computer never had separate users identified or passwords.
On the Network - Access Control tab, "All users on this computer use
the same preferences and desktop settings" is enabled. Should not the
XP therefore be available to anyone using the 98SE computer? This is
how it was set up previously when the network did work from the 98SE
computer (to the best of my memory). Do you think I should create a
user account on the 98SE?

 

[smlunatick]

Yes. XP requires a user.

systems.)

Thanks for the response.

The 98SE computer never had separate users identified or passwords.
On the Network - Access Control tab, "All users on this computer use
the same preferences and desktop settings" is enabled. Should not the
XP therefore be available to anyone using the 98SE computer? This is
how it was set up previously when the network did work from the 98SE
computer (to the best of my memory). Do you think I should create a
user account on the 98SE?

 

[raygk]

Yes. XP requires a user.

Well, I set up a user on the 98SE and then added the same user to the
XP but it still did not work any better. Perhaps I didn't do it
correctly. I know it took me a long time to remove the new user from
98SE and get windows to start again without the log-on window
appearing . Do you know of any place where I might find a detailed
tutorial or "how to" to add the user on the two machines? I don't
seem to be doing too well on my own. (It still bothers me that it
once worked without adding anything to either computers other than
running the network setup wizard on the XP and the resulting floppy on
the 98SE.)