Win98 and Win XP Home Network Problems

[Bob Connelly]

I have my two machines connected together with a Netgear RT314 router in
order to share our cable internet connection. Internet sharing works
perfectly, however the file sharing is fully functioning. I have scoured
the Web and newsgroups, many of the solutions presented to no avail.

Functionally, the XP machine is seeing the Win98 machine, but in a limited
manner. When I go to "My Network Places," I can add new network places that
are being shared on the Win98 machine by manually typing in the path (eg.
\\kids\music). It is added to the My Network Places, and I can access
whatever files are there. However, if I click on "View Workgroup Computers"
only the local (ie. "Dad") machine is shown. Though this might be obvious,
I can ping 192.168.04, ping kids, and net view \\kids and see all the shared
folders on the win98 machine.

On the win98 machine, it cannot see the XP machine at all. Network
Neighbour only has the "Kids" machine showing. I can ping 192.168.0.2
successfully. Ping and net view gave the following:

C:\WINDOWS>ping dad
Unknown host dad.

C:\WINDOWS>net view
Servers available in workgroup MSHOME.
Server name Remark
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------
\\KIDS
The command was completed successfully.

C:\WINDOWS>net view \\dad

Error 53: The computer name specified in the network path cannot be
located.
Make sure you are specifying the computer name correctly, or try
again later
when the remote computer is available.

Here are the details of my set up:

Machine 1
O/S: Windows XP Home
Machine Name: Dad
Workgroup: MSHOME
IP: 192.168.0.2
Installed: Client for Microsoft Networking
File and Printer Sharing
QoS Packet Scheduler
TCP/IP
--Obtain IP Automatically
--NetBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled

Machine 2
O/S: Windows 98
Machine Name: Kids
Workgroup: MSHOME
IP: 192.168.0.4
Installed: Client for Microsoft Networking
File and Printer Sharing
TCP/IP
--Obtain IP Automatically
--NetBIOS over TCP/IP is grayed-out but is enabled
Primary Logon is Client for Microsoft Networking

Sorry for the long post. I am hoping the details will be helpful in showing
what I have already tried. I feel like I am missing something obvious. I
appreciate any help.

Bob

 

[BobC]

I have my two machines connected together with a Netgear RT314 router
in order to share our cable internet connection. Internet sharing
works perfectly, however the file sharing is fully functioning. I
have scoured the Web and newsgroups, many of the solutions presented
to no avail.

I would check that the XP built in firewall as well as any other firewalls
are disabled.

 

[Bob Connelly]

I would check that the XP built in firewall as well as any other firewalls
are disabled.

I had looked after that detail before I posted my original message, but
forgot to mention it.

XP's firewall is not enabled, and although I had ZoneAlarm running at one
point on the XP machine, I subsequently disabled it with no effect.

Any other suggestions?

Bob

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I had looked after that detail before I posted my original message, but
forgot to mention it.

XP's firewall is not enabled, and although I had ZoneAlarm running at one
point on the XP machine, I subsequently disabled it with no effect.

Any other suggestions?

Bob

Don't just disable ZoneAlarm. Un-install it, using the un-install
procedure provided by the manufacturer. Then, go to Start | Run |
Msconfig | Startup and disable any remnants of ZoneAlarm.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - Windows Networking
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm

 

[Bob Connelly]

Thanks for your reply Steve...

Don't just disable ZoneAlarm. Un-install it, using the un-install
procedure provided by the manufacturer. Then, go to Start | Run |
Msconfig | Startup and disable any remnants of ZoneAlarm.

Uninstalling ZoneAlarm did the trick. I can know see all machines on the
network from both the 98 and XP workstation.

Does this mean that you cannot have a personal firewall on individual
workstations? Is there anyway one can still block internet probing, but
allow them from the local machines?

Bob

 

[James Egan]

Uninstalling ZoneAlarm did the trick. I can know see all machines on the
network from both the 98 and XP workstation.

Does this mean that you cannot have a personal firewall on individual
workstations? Is there anyway one can still block internet probing, but
allow them from the local machines?

You can have personal firewalls on individual workstations. The
problem is when they go wrong (as you have found out) and they also
guzzle resources which could well be used elsewhere in most
situations.

If your machines don't have a direct Internet link (ie. they share
access via some nat or proxy device) then don't bother with a
firewall.


Jim.

 

[Brian K]

Using ZA, make sure your network is in the Trusted Zone and not the
Internet Zone.

Brian