Windows xp - 98 network startup problem

[Roy Woodruff]

I have a laptop w/ XP networked with a desktop running 98. The setup
is a standard peer-to-peer network with ICS (XP laptop is the host)
using a cable connection, dialup modem and a netgear switch. The only
protocol installed is TCP and the network is functioning just fine.
But!

When I shutdown or reboot the host (laptop w/ XP), I loose the network
connection. Indeed, even ping (by either address or name) is unable
to connect with the desktop computer. A work around is to disable,
enable and repair the network bridge. [Just repair does not restore
the network connection.]

Any suggestions/help will be most appreciated!

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I have a laptop w/ XP networked with a desktop running 98. The setup
is a standard peer-to-peer network with ICS (XP laptop is the host)
using a cable connection, dialup modem and a netgear switch. The only
protocol installed is TCP and the network is functioning just fine.
But!

When I shutdown or reboot the host (laptop w/ XP), I loose the network
connection. Indeed, even ping (by either address or name) is unable
to connect with the desktop computer. A work around is to disable,
enable and repair the network bridge. [Just repair does not restore
the network connection.]

Any suggestions/help will be most appreciated!

The Network Bridge can create un-necessary complexity in a network.
Disable ICS, delete the Network Bridge, and re-enable ICS using the
Ethernet adapter for the home (local area) network.
--
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 Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Roy Woodruff]

Hi Steve

Thanks for the quick response - you solved my problem <BG>!

FWIW, I don't recall how the network bridge became installed in the
first place. I orginally setup the network about a year ago and I
just don't remember the details. Everything worked just fine for over
a year and suddenly about a month ago the network just refused to
startup without going through the strange kabuki dance of disable,
enable and repair.

Just for fun, I dug out an October 6, 2003 drive image and restored
the host (laptop w/ XP). Sure enough the startup problem is gone but
I'll be darned if I can find anything different going through the
network properties from the current configuration (w/ network bridge
installed). Anyway, with the network bridge removed, the startup
problem is gone.

Thanks Again for the help!

Roy Woodruff

I have a laptop w/ XP networked with a desktop running 98. The setup
is a standard peer-to-peer network with ICS (XP laptop is the host)
using a cable connection, dialup modem and a netgear switch. The only
protocol installed is TCP and the network is functioning just fine.
But!

When I shutdown or reboot the host (laptop w/ XP), I loose the network
connection. Indeed, even ping (by either address or name) is unable
to connect with the desktop computer. A work around is to disable,
enable and repair the network bridge. [Just repair does not restore
the network connection.]

Any suggestions/help will be most appreciated!

The Network Bridge can create un-necessary complexity in a network.
Disable ICS, delete the Network Bridge, and re-enable ICS using the
Ethernet adapter for the home (local area) network.
--
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 Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I have a laptop w/ XP networked with a desktop running 98. The setup
is a standard peer-to-peer network with ICS (XP laptop is the host)
using a cable connection, dialup modem and a netgear switch. The only
protocol installed is TCP and the network is functioning just fine.
But!

When I shutdown or reboot the host (laptop w/ XP), I loose the network
connection. Indeed, even ping (by either address or name) is unable
to connect with the desktop computer. A work around is to disable,
enable and repair the network bridge. [Just repair does not restore
the network connection.]

Any suggestions/help will be most appreciated!

The Network Bridge can create un-necessary complexity in a network.
Disable ICS, delete the Network Bridge, and re-enable ICS using the
Ethernet adapter for the home (local area) network.

Hi Steve

Thanks for the quick response - you solved my problem <BG>!

FWIW, I don't recall how the network bridge became installed in the
first place. I orginally setup the network about a year ago and I
just don't remember the details. Everything worked just fine for over
a year and suddenly about a month ago the network just refused to
startup without going through the strange kabuki dance of disable,
enable and repair.

Just for fun, I dug out an October 6, 2003 drive image and restored
the host (laptop w/ XP). Sure enough the startup problem is gone but
I'll be darned if I can find anything different going through the
network properties from the current configuration (w/ network bridge
installed). Anyway, with the network bridge removed, the startup
problem is gone.

Thanks Again for the help!

Roy Woodruff[/QUOTE]

You're welcome, Roy. I'm glad that my suggestion helped you solve the
problem.

The usual way for a network bridge to get created is by running the
Network Setup Wizard. If it sees more than one LAN connection, it
will bridge them unless you specifically tell it not to.

It's hard to say why your network suddenly developed problems. I've
seen a few cases where a network connection seems to get corrupted and
deleting it fixes the problem.
--
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 Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com