98 to XP - it really shouldn't be THIS dfifficult!

[JJ-UK]

Here's the deal

Win98 (192.168.0.2) can PING WinXP (192.168.0.1). However, WinXP can't ping
the Win98 box!

But look in Network Neighbourhood and even though I've logged in to the
workgroup it says 'Unable to browse the network'.

Go to the WinXP box and go to 'My Network Places' and you can see the Win98
box (even though you can't ping it from XP), but when you try and open it
"Unable to access..."

It's utterly maddening.

What gives? Any ideas people?

Thanks in advance

JJ (UK)

 

[Ron Martell]

Here's the deal

Win98 (192.168.0.2) can PING WinXP (192.168.0.1). However, WinXP can't ping
the Win98 box!

But look in Network Neighbourhood and even though I've logged in to the
workgroup it says 'Unable to browse the network'.

Go to the WinXP box and go to 'My Network Places' and you can see the Win98
box (even though you can't ping it from XP), but when you try and open it
"Unable to access..."

It's utterly maddening.

What gives? Any ideas people?

Thanks in advance

JJ (UK)

1. Delete the entry for the Win98 box in "My Network Places" and then
add it back again.

2. Do you have a firewall installed on the Win98 box? If so try
shutting it off.

3. Is the workgroup name *exactly* the same on both computers?

4. Are the computer names *different* for the two computers?

5. Is either computer more than 12 characters long or does it contain
any blank spaces or special characters? If so change the name so that
it is not more than 12 characters long with no blank spaces and no
characters other than letters a-z and/or numbers 0-9.

6. How is your network configured (wired)?
- just the two computers connected with a cross-over cable?
- using a hub?
- using a cable/dsl router?

7. If you are using a cross-over cable or a hub and have specified the
i.p. addresses in TCP/IP Properties then make sure you have set the
subnet mask as 255.255.255.0 on both machines.

8. If you are using a cable/dsl router then do not repeat do not
specify the i.p. addresses for the machines. Instead allow the DHCP
server in the router to assign the i.p.'s automatically.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

 

[JJ-UK]

1. Delete the entry for the Win98 box in "My Network Places" and then
add it back again.

Didn't know you could delete an entry in My Network Places. I'll give that a
go.

2. Do you have a firewall installed on the Win98 box? If so try
shutting it off.

Certainly not the built-in Firewall feature in the Network Places properties
screen. I will look for third-part Firewalls though.

3. Is the workgroup name *exactly* the same on both computers?

Yes, but I'll triple-check.

4. Are the computer names *different* for the two computers?
Yes.

5. Is either computer more than 12 characters long or does it contain
any blank spaces or special characters?

Nope. One is called 'MARLENE' the other is called 'NEW'

6. How is your network configured (wired)?

Via a 5 port hub.

7. If you are using a cross-over cable or a hub and have specified the
i.p. addresses in TCP/IP Properties then make sure you have set the
subnet mask as 255.255.255.0 on both machines.

Yep, 255.255.255.0

8. If you are using a cable/dsl router then do not repeat do not
specify the i.p. addresses for the machines. Instead allow the DHCP
server in the router to assign the i.p.'s automatically.

Good luck

Thanks!

JJ (UK)

 

[Ben Foster]

I had this problem also. I was told to install an IPX/SPX/NetBIOS protocol
on both computers and that enabled both computers to fully communicate with
each other.

To Do This:
1/ Go to your LAN Connection Properties
2/ Where it says 'this connection uses the following items:' If it doesn't
say something like IPX/SPX/NetBIOS protocol then go to Install
3/ Click Protocol then click Add
4/ Find IPX/SPX/NetBIOS protocol then click ok

Hope this helps,
Ben Foster

 

[Guest]

I was wondering if you absolutely need a router to share an internet connection.

Do you?? Or do you have to be plugged into a router at all times?