Old mixed Network is now all XP - Re-establish? Dump NetBeui? NTFS?

[JDShine]

My original home network consisted of computer 1 (WinME) and computer 2
(Win98 SE) via a crossover cable w/o ICS enabled. Over time I added a
second HD to computer 1 making it a dual boot with WinXP home on disk 1,
enabled ICS and added NetBEUI to XP to facilitate the 98 and ME drives.
I worked out all the kinks, overcame most of my screw-ups and thing went
well. Next I replaced computer 2 with a 'new to me' machine and upgraded
it to XP home (NTFS) Computer 1 is all FAT32. Most recently I removed
the ME installation from computer 1. So that I am left with a functional
(a small problem with computer 2 losing internet access after IP lease
renewal - related to ZAP configuration, I believe) network of two XP
home computers connected via crossover cable and sharing my Comcast
cable internet connection.

Questions:
Should I now remove NetBEUI or is it harmless?
Would it be advisable to dismantle the oft altered network and establish
a new one?
Is there any great advantage to switching to NTFS on computer 1 as it is
used primarily for web surfing, email, newsgroups, limited graphics and
no banking or sensitive material?

TIA,
JDShine

 

[Scott M.]

Questions:

Should I now remove NetBEUI or is it harmless?

With the previous network that you described, you didn't actually *need*
NetBUI in the first place. Yes, get rid of it.

Would it be advisable to dismantle the oft altered network and establish a
new one?

If each machine can see the other, there's no need.

Is there any great advantage to switching to NTFS on computer 1 as it is
used primarily for web surfing, email, newsgroups, limited graphics and no
banking or sensitive material?

NTFS is a much more secure and, allthough you don't need it right now for
this machine, you may need it in the future. Switching later means a
re-format. Best to go to NTFS now.

 

[Chuck]

My original home network consisted of computer 1 (WinME) and computer 2
(Win98 SE) via a crossover cable w/o ICS enabled. Over time I added a
second HD to computer 1 making it a dual boot with WinXP home on disk 1,
enabled ICS and added NetBEUI to XP to facilitate the 98 and ME drives.
I worked out all the kinks, overcame most of my screw-ups and thing went
well. Next I replaced computer 2 with a 'new to me' machine and upgraded
it to XP home (NTFS) Computer 1 is all FAT32. Most recently I removed
the ME installation from computer 1. So that I am left with a functional
(a small problem with computer 2 losing internet access after IP lease
renewal - related to ZAP configuration, I believe) network of two XP
home computers connected via crossover cable and sharing my Comcast
cable internet connection.

Questions:
Should I now remove NetBEUI or is it harmless?
Would it be advisable to dismantle the oft altered network and establish
a new one?
Is there any great advantage to switching to NTFS on computer 1 as it is
used primarily for web surfing, email, newsgroups, limited graphics and
no banking or sensitive material?

TIA,
JDShine

NetBEUI:

Windows networking is built around TCP/IP, and uses NetBIOS Over TCP/IP as an
interface to file and printer sharing.

Here are a couple good articles on the subject (remember, WinXP is WinNT V5.1):
<http://support.microsoft.com/?id=128233>
<http://www.networkmagazine.com/article/NMG20000517S0009>
<http://www.ultratech-llc.com/BrainWave/TechDocs/Resolution.html>

You do not need NetBEUI.

NTFS:

NTFS offers more benefits than just security improvements.
o Faster access speed.
o Greater volume size.
o Disk quotas by user.
o Doesn't corrupt as easily, if you turn the computer off rudely for instance.
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...00/server/reskit/en-us/core/fncc_fil_orws.asp