cant ping or run network

[john]

Trying to network 2 computers each with ethernet card and
crossover cable. one XP (host) other W98 (client). XP ip
is 192.168.0.1 W98 is 192.168.0.2 both submask
255.255.255.0 and can confirm this using ipconfig /all
on both computers. W98 can see the network and both
computer names (sometimes). IF I change the XP name then
W98 can see the change so info must be passing through the
crossover cable. XP cant see network. On the XP can see
data being sent and recieved on the network card status.

I cant ping from either computer to the other,
says "request timed out" . It seems to me that there is no
way that the network can work if I cant ping from one to
the other. Do I need to set gateways? Any ideas why I
might not be able to ping?

 

[Jim]

When you ping, do you use the IP address or the computer
name? If you can ping with the IP address, then the
connection is working.

Check that the workgroup in both computers is exactly the
same. Check that both computers have the same protocols
set up (File & Print Sharing, Microsoft Networks,
TCP/IP). I also found that I needed NetBui installed on
both my XP and W98 computers to get them to talk. I was
using a router but it may be the same for you.