Hi again,
Try pinging the Linux host from the Windows host and vice versa. This will tell you if the network is configured correctly and whether there is an issue with firewall settings. If both can ping each other, I think you can safely assume the NIC is ok.
Samba is a lot more tricky! Start with the Win98, it's easier to deal with. Make sure you've got file and printer sharing on and share a folder or two. Then try to list shares on it from the Linux box anonymously. On the command line do
smbclient -L ip_address
Where ip_address is that of the Windows box. Hit enter if you're asked for a password. You should get information about the Windows machine: workgroup, OS and such, perhaps even a list of shares. If you don't even get that, file sharing is not configured properly on the windows box or there's a problem with the network and/or firewall.
To test authentication, do the same but with a user/password combo you know is good on the Windows box:
smbclient -L ip_address -U username -P password
If things are looking good you might want to use the linneighborhood program to connect to Windows shares, or use smbmount from the commandline if that is your thing.
To share files and folders from your Linux box, you have to configure the Samba server by editing /etc/samba/smb.conf either manually or using a graphical tool. I prefer manual editing because of the extra control. Make a copy of the original file! Edit the original or write your own. Here's a sample of things you should change to get started.
workgroup = WORKGROUP (or whatever you've got on your windows box)
security = share
This should let you connect to the /home directory of the user you're logging in as (see below for adding Samba passwords to Linux user accounts). If you want a global share add something like
[share]
comment = Shared for everyone
path = /home/share
browseable = yes
force user = nobody
read only = no
guest ok = yes
create mask = 0777
Save smb.conf. Now create a directory /home/share and make the owner nobody:
mkdir /home/share
chown nobody /home/share
Now get the new settings with
service samba reload
You should be able to see the Linux machine under WORKGROUP after a few minutes. On XP and probably Win98 you can connect directly if you're in a hurry. WindowsKey+R to open the Run dialog, then enter
\\ip_address\
Where ip_address is that of the Linux box, of course. You'll probably want to map shares as network drives, too.
It's also a good idea to add a user to Linux that has the same name as your Windows user. Then add the Windows password to it as root
smbpasswd -a username
Reload the configuration again and remember to keep accounts and passwords in sync!
Regards,
-u-
arameter() - Ignoring badly formed line in configuration file: *Enter*new*UNIX*password* %n\n *Retype*new*UNIX*password* %\n *passwd: