XP can't join existing Win98 Workgroup

[Doug Robson]

I just bought a new computer which has my first copy of
Windows XP on it and I can't get it to recognise any
computers on my existing network of Windows 98SE machines.
Each computer is wired to a port on a Linksys BEFW11S4
Broadband Router which provides both the physical layer
connectivity to each other and access to the internet via
a cable modem. The network was fully functional and all
the 98 machines are able to see each other via Network
Neighborhood and share files and printers.
The new XP machine can ping each of the 98 machines.
None of the 98 machines can ping the XP box.
Nothing shows up under the "Myhome" workgroup icon on the
XP box. None of the 98 boxes show the XP box under thier
respective Network Neighborhoods. None of the 98 boxes use
NetBEUI protocol, only TCP.
Drilling down from "My Network Places" through Entire
Network > Microsoft Windows Network > Mshome, when I
doubleclick Mshome, after a timeouot, I get the following
error dialog:
"Mshome is not accessible. You might not have permission
to use this network resource. Contact the administrator
of this server to find out if you have access
permissions. The list of servers for this workgroup is
not currently available."
A couple of things about the error message:
1. Workgroups don't have permissions.
2. I'm the only administrator there is - this is my
home network. If there is a way to assign "permissions",
I, the administrator, know nothing of it. Educate me.
Furthermore, the 98 boxes are workstations not servers in
the sense of running server O/S's like Windows Server
2000 or some such. They are client O/S's. What's with
the unclear terminology?
I do not want the XP machine to be the access point for
the network, I simply want it to see the other 98 boxes
and be able to share files and printers as a peer on
the workgroup. I don't want the firewall feature or
internet sharing feature. All of that functionality is
provided by my Gateway/Router and Norton software on each
machine. Please don't waste your time convincing of XP's
"better" way. I just want it to behave as a lowly peer.
The XP machine is working fine accessing the internet for
both web and mail. It just won't cooperate with the 98
boxes.
I've looked around the web for help with my situation and
cannot find anything. Networking always seems to entail
using the XP machine dictate running thier Network Setup
Wizard on the other (98) machines. I don't want that
kind of a configuration which dictates my XP machine be
running first to broker internet traffic. My printers
are connected to the other 98 boxes. I don't want to
change this. Each box gets its internet connection
through my gateway/router. I don't want to change that
either.
Somebody that has experience and certain knowledge of
setting up my configuration - PLEASE help. I'm very
frustrated with this XP stuff.

 

[Stewart]

I have had similar trouble... norton internet security
was the problem.

 

[Doug]

Thanks for the reply. However, I turned it off and still
cannot access the workgroup. Gets the same error.
Doug

 

[Jeff]

First, make sure that XP's internal firewall, and all
other software firewalls are turned off. Secondly, go
into the TCP/IP properties of your NIC on the XP machine.
Click on the advanced button, and go to the WINS tab.
Make sure that the box Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP is
checked. Win98 uses NetBIOS for networking natively. On
the 98 machines, make sure you are set to log onto client
for Microsoft Networks, and make sure that in your TCP/IP
properties, that there is a checkmark in both boxes on
your Bindings tab. Reboot all machines, and all should
work.

Jeff

 

[FelixC]

Thanks for the reply. However, I turned it off and still
cannot access the workgroup. Gets the same error.
machines.

Make sure that your Win98 machines have file sharing over TCP/IP
enabled. They might be using the older protocol NETBEUI for file
sharing on the local net. By default WinXP does not have NETBEUI
listed as an available protocol to install, but it is on the XP CD if
you look it up.

 

[Stan Rogers]

I've got the same problem, except my XP won't ping my
98. The 98 has full access to my XP and both have
internet access through a Linksys router. I'm not sure,
but I think the firewall software has something to do
with it, I'm running Norton, but I disabled it because
the router has a built in firewall. Somehow, I can now
print from my 98 to the printer connected to the XP and
that was the thing I wanted to do originally, but now,
I'd like to have full access of the network and get the
same thing from my XP. It recognizes my 98 but can't
access it. If you figure it out, I'd appreciate some