Wireless Networking XP and 98 with D-Link Adapters

[Kathryn Thomasson]

I have two laptops. One is running Windows XP Pro (the host computer) and
is cable connected to an internet ADSL. The other is running Windows 98SE
(the client computer). I want to be able to share the internet, a printer
and files. I have installed D-Link AirPlus G+ DWL-G650+ Wireless Adapters
in each one and set them to ad-hoc.

I currently have the two laptops side by side while I attempt to get my
network up and running.

I tried giving them fixed IP addresses and was able to ping them when I did
this. However, then I could not access my internet ADSL connection on the
host computer while the client computer was turned on. So I have set them
back to Obtain IP address automatically. Now I can access the internet on
the host computer while both computers are turned on.

However, the host computer (XP) cannot see the client computer (98) in
network places. I tried setting up a user on the XP that matched the log on
for the 98 but lost my signal entirely. So I have deleted it.

When I start up the client (98) I have to log off and relog in before I can
see the client computer in network neighbourhood, but I cannot see the host
(XP).

Therefore, I cannot share files, printeres or the internet.

I have shared a folder on the client (98) computer and shared a printer on
the host (XP) computer and set up ICS. I have removed domain names from
both computers, have given each computer different names and made sure that
the workgroups are the same.

Please help, I am finding this all extremely frustrating.

Kathryn

 

[Fred Marshall]

I have two laptops. One is running Windows XP Pro (the host computer) and
is cable connected to an internet ADSL. The other is running Windows 98SE
(the client computer). I want to be able to share the internet, a printer
and files. I have installed D-Link AirPlus G+ DWL-G650+ Wireless Adapters
in each one and set them to ad-hoc.

I currently have the two laptops side by side while I attempt to get my
network up and running.

I tried giving them fixed IP addresses and was able to ping them when I
did this. However, then I could not access my internet ADSL connection on
the host computer while the client computer was turned on. So I have set
them back to Obtain IP address automatically. Now I can access the
internet on the host computer while both computers are turned on.

However, the host computer (XP) cannot see the client computer (98) in
network places. I tried setting up a user on the XP that matched the log
on for the 98 but lost my signal entirely. So I have deleted it.

When I start up the client (98) I have to log off and relog in before I
can see the client computer in network neighbourhood, but I cannot see the
host (XP).

Therefore, I cannot share files, printeres or the internet.

I have shared a folder on the client (98) computer and shared a printer on
the host (XP) computer and set up ICS. I have removed domain names from
both computers, have given each computer different names and made sure
that the workgroups are the same.

Please help, I am finding this all extremely frustrating.

Kathryn

Kathryn,

You have two network interfaces on the XP computer.
One has internet.
The other is local only.

You need to set up Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) on the XP machine.
Assuming you have a network (see below) then it should work.
Then I would have the two computers show the same Workgroup in Control Panel
/ System / Identification.
Static IP addresses for the two wireless interfaces that are in the same
range seem to make sense. They should be in an IP range that is not the
same as the modem / wired interface.
So, if the wired interface is in 192.168.1.xxx then the wireless range might
be in 192.168.0.xxx or 192.168.2.xxx....

I'm not sure that you can simply connect two computers with wireless
interface cards. Not something I've tried or heard of. Perhaps you must
have an access point or a wireless router. The fact you could ping them
seems to say that it's OK as you have it but it's a bit hard to tell from
your description and I lack experience with your particular arrangement.

I rarely see ICS set up because routers are so inexpensive. You might put a
wireless router on the modem and not use ICS at all. You can still be
*wired* to a "wireless" router but can be wireless as well. This is also
nice because neither of the computers has to be booted up for the system to
work. The router takes care of the connection / "dialing" instead of what
you now call the "host" computer.

In that case it might look like this:

Internet IP address is static or dynamic, either one; like 63.130.200.12 at
the "outside" of the modem.
If the modem does not provide address translation, then this same IP address
is on the "inside" of the modem where the ethernet connection is made.
If the modem does provide address translation and it is enabled, then the
"inside" IP address of the modem might be:
192.168.0.1
and the computer might be:
192.168.1.2 or often 192.168.1.100 if DHCP is working on the modem and is
expected by the computer.

But, with the router inserted where the computer is now:
The "outside" of the router connected to the modem would be
192.168.1.2 (or 63.130.200.12 if there is no address translation in the
modem)
The "inside" of the router would be something like:
192.168.0.1
and the two computers might be:
192.168.0.2
and
192.168.0.3

Fred