XP pro to Windows 98 Network connectivity issues!

[0uterlimitz]

Please help.

I have a small office network, comprised of a few windows XP machines
and a few legacy machines running windows 98. The windows 98 machine
is needed b/c we are running some really old automotive finance
software and that is just the way "they" had it hooked up before me.
The windows 98 machine is unable to locate the server where the
software is located.

When I try to open this software I get this message.

Finance and Insurance cannot find the working folder for this program.
The program may have difficulty locating its files and documents. Make
sure that the working folder is specified correctly in the property
sheets for the program and any shortcuts to it.

Do you want to run the program anyway?

So I click yes then,

I get this message.

F:/Adam/DNAC/ficar/ficar.exe

Cannot find the file. Make sure the file exists on your system and that
the path and file name are correct.

Now this machine is supposed to be on a network, but when I goto my
work group on the Windows 98 machine it only sees itself, hereby called
Finance 02.

The server using XP does not show the finance02 box, but it does show a
folder saying C on finance02.

I have no clue how to fix this. Can somebody please help me out. I
can provide any information you need!

Thanks and cheers!

Joshua Miles

 

[Chuck]

Please help.

I have a small office network, comprised of a few windows XP machines
and a few legacy machines running windows 98. The windows 98 machine
is needed b/c we are running some really old automotive finance
software and that is just the way "they" had it hooked up before me.
The windows 98 machine is unable to locate the server where the
software is located.

When I try to open this software I get this message.

Finance and Insurance cannot find the working folder for this program.
The program may have difficulty locating its files and documents. Make
sure that the working folder is specified correctly in the property
sheets for the program and any shortcuts to it.

Do you want to run the program anyway?

So I click yes then,

I get this message.

F:/Adam/DNAC/ficar/ficar.exe

Cannot find the file. Make sure the file exists on your system and that
the path and file name are correct.

Now this machine is supposed to be on a network, but when I goto my
work group on the Windows 98 machine it only sees itself, hereby called
Finance 02.

The server using XP does not show the finance02 box, but it does show a
folder saying C on finance02.

I have no clue how to fix this. Can somebody please help me out. I
can provide any information you need!

Thanks and cheers!

Joshua Miles

Hi Joshua,

Having both Windows 98 and Windows XP on the same LAN presents a challenge,
particularly with the browser (I'm not discussing Internet Explorer here).
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/windows-9x-9598me-and-browser.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/windows-9x-9598me-and-browser.html

Pick one or two Windows XP computers (the most stable ones) to run the browser.
Shut down the service on all Windows 98 computers, and on most Windows XP
computers.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/04/nt-browser-or-why-cant-i-always-see.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/04/nt-browser-or-why-cant-i-always-see.html

 

[0uterlimitz]

Holy Cow.

Ok. So...i've read the information you have provided. I thank you big
time but I think you just flew over my head. No worries tho. Ok. So
I have 3 machines running 98. Should I disable the Master browser in
all three machines?

Also...the LAN connection shows limited or no connectivity. The LAN is
for the network only and does not supply internet access.

What should I set the XP box with the server too?

Thank you so much!

 

[Chuck]

Holy Cow.

Ok. So...i've read the information you have provided. I thank you big
time but I think you just flew over my head. No worries tho. Ok. So
I have 3 machines running 98. Should I disable the Master browser in
all three machines?

Also...the LAN connection shows limited or no connectivity. The LAN is
for the network only and does not supply internet access.

What should I set the XP box with the server too?

Thank you so much!

Just as your department can have only one manager at any time, so should a LAN
have only one master browser. If you have one computer that stays on and online
7 x 24, that's it. Disable the browse master on all Windows 98 computers, and
on all other Windows XP computers.

But if you have no computers that are on and online 7 x 24, it gets more
complicated. So let's start with that requirement - what's the story?

 

[0uterlimitz]

Ok.

This particular project is for an auto group. In this office, we have
several machines, of which there is a current LAN where one XP box is
the server and there are 3 98 client machines. The 98 clients are
there b/c there is some legacy software for building automotive
deals...inventory...F&I...and accounting. We have just bought a new
software package more hip to this millenium, and I need to install
three new XP machines, two of which are clients and one is the server.

So, I need to keep these old legacy machines onboard b/c there is like
300 accounts that still require maintenance, payments, etc.

So the new software needs to be installed, and to do so requires one
server and I will have two users each with there own XP client. THEN I
have those old accounts that run this old software that still needs to
be accessed.

As for internet access I have wireless thru-out the whole building.

I would like internet access on the client machines, but most important
is just this whole network.

Geez...I know this all sounds crazy...and probably easy for you. I
appreciate all your help.

Thanks and cheers!

Joshua

 

[Chuck]

Ok.

This particular project is for an auto group. In this office, we have
several machines, of which there is a current LAN where one XP box is
the server and there are 3 98 client machines. The 98 clients are
there b/c there is some legacy software for building automotive
deals...inventory...F&I...and accounting. We have just bought a new
software package more hip to this millenium, and I need to install
three new XP machines, two of which are clients and one is the server.

So, I need to keep these old legacy machines onboard b/c there is like
300 accounts that still require maintenance, payments, etc.

So the new software needs to be installed, and to do so requires one
server and I will have two users each with there own XP client. THEN I
have those old accounts that run this old software that still needs to
be accessed.

As for internet access I have wireless thru-out the whole building.

I would like internet access on the client machines, but most important
is just this whole network.

Geez...I know this all sounds crazy...and probably easy for you. I
appreciate all your help.

Thanks and cheers!

Joshua

OK, Joshua,

Designate the XP computer the master browser. Make sure that its online
whenever any others are. Make sure that the browser service is Enabled on it.

Stop and disable the browser service on the other XP computers, and stop the
browse master on the Windows 98 computers.

The XP server becomes the only browser on the network. It will provide the
service for the 98 and the XP clients. Just make sure that its always online.

Then power all computers off. Power the master browser server on, and then
power each client computer on.