Win 98 to Win XP connection problem

[Tony]

Hi,

I have home network with 3 computers connected to LinkSys router: 2 Windows
XP professional and one Windows 98 SE. I used to have no problem that each
computer can access the other two computer's hard disk, but recently the
Windows 98 computer cannot access to the other two Windows XP computers.
When I try to access to Windows XP from Windows 98, I got "Enter Network
Password" dialog box with Resource \\WinXp\IPC$. I got "The password is
incorrect, Try again." when I enter password (I have three computers with
same user account ID and same password).

I would appreciated if any one know the solution and tell me how to fix the
problem.

Thanks in advance.

Tony

 

[m3Rlin]

Check if the Guest account is enabled on the Windows XP machines.
Right click My Computer and select Manager. Then go to System Tools |
Local Users and Groups and the Users. Right click the Guest account
and deselect the "Account is diabled" checkbox.

 

[Malke]

Check if the Guest account is enabled on the Windows XP machines.
Right click My Computer and select Manager. Then go to System Tools |
Local Users and Groups and the Users. Right click the Guest account
and deselect the "Account is diabled" checkbox.

Please quote at least some of the post to which you are replying. Here
is Tony's original post for clarity:

"I have home network with 3 computers connected to LinkSys router: 2
Windows XP professional and one Windows 98 SE. I used to have no
problem that each computer can access the other two computer's hard
disk, but recently the Windows 98 computer cannot access to the other
two Windows XP computers. When I try to access to Windows XP from
Windows 98, I got "Enter Network Password" dialog box with Resource
\\WinXp\IPC$. I got "The password is incorrect, Try again." when I
enter password (I have three computers with same user account ID and
same password)."

Enabling the Guest account in Control Panel will be of no use. The Guest
user account allows someone who does not have a user account on the
local machine to sit down and log on to do some work. It is normally
disabled since it is a security risk. Enabling/disabling the local
Guest account will have no impact on network issues.

Tony - Since your network worked before, what changed between the time
things worked and the time they didn't? Apply any Windows Updates,
antivirus/firewall updates?

Malke

 

[Tony]

That is correct, Enabling the Guest doesn't help.

I did not have any major change in all my computer setting (almost no
change). I feel this connection problem is from my Windows XP, not Windows
98: This connection problem occurred in one of my Windows XP first, and then
another Windows XP about 3-4 weeks later. I mean, if the connection problem
is in Windows 98, then it will occur to both Windows XP at same time. I am
not sure if this has anything to do with Windows Updates that causes my
connection problem?

Here is my tests:

- My two Windows XP computers can access to my Windows 98 computer.
- My Windows 98 computer can ping to two Windows XP computers with 0% loss.
- For testing purpose, I turn off Windows XP Firewall to see if connection
work, but it doesn't.
- I disable my McAfee VirusScan, but no help.

I try all troubleshooting I know, but still not figure out the connection
problem.

Tony

 

[Malke]

That is correct, Enabling the Guest doesn't help.

I did not have any major change in all my computer setting (almost no
change). I feel this connection problem is from my Windows XP, not
Windows 98: This connection problem occurred in one of my Windows XP
first, and then another Windows XP about 3-4 weeks later. I mean, if
the connection problem is in Windows 98, then it will occur to both
Windows XP at same time. I am not sure if this has anything to do with
Windows Updates that causes my connection problem?

Here is my tests:

- My two Windows XP computers can access to my Windows 98 computer.
- My Windows 98 computer can ping to two Windows XP computers with 0%
loss. - For testing purpose, I turn off Windows XP Firewall to see if
connection work, but it doesn't.
- I disable my McAfee VirusScan, but no help.

I try all troubleshooting I know, but still not figure out the
connection problem.

Does McAfee have a firewall component? Perhaps it does, got updated, and
now you have two firewalls running. Look at Event Viewer on the XP
machines for clues:

Start>Run>eventvwr.msc [enter]

Are all machines virus/malware-free? McAfee will not catch non-viral
malware. Be sure:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Permissions to shares do not change all by themselves. You say no "major
changes" but what about minor changes?

Here is an excellent network troubleshooter by MVP Hans-Georg Michna.
Take the time to go through it because it will usually pinpoint the
problem area(s):

http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm

Malke

 

[Tony]

Malke,

Thank you a lot for help! I found the problem and have it fixed. The web
site you told me http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm is excellent. It guides me to
my problem areas after I answer the questions. My problem is:

"Windows XP sometimes alters or disables the LAN Manager password, so
computers with Windows 9x or ME suddenly get authentication failures and
subsequent account lockouts. If you have such inexplicable authentication
problems, go to the Windows XP or 2000 computer you are trying to access,
re-enter the password and re-enable the account if it's still locked out. "

After I had my two Windows XP computers password re-enter, my Windows 98 got
connection thought to my two Windows XP computers!

Thanks again for help.

Tony

That is correct, Enabling the Guest doesn't help.

I did not have any major change in all my computer setting (almost no
change). I feel this connection problem is from my Windows XP, not
Windows 98: This connection problem occurred in one of my Windows XP
first, and then another Windows XP about 3-4 weeks later. I mean, if
the connection problem is in Windows 98, then it will occur to both
Windows XP at same time. I am not sure if this has anything to do with
Windows Updates that causes my connection problem?

Here is my tests:

- My two Windows XP computers can access to my Windows 98 computer.
- My Windows 98 computer can ping to two Windows XP computers with 0%
loss. - For testing purpose, I turn off Windows XP Firewall to see if
connection work, but it doesn't.
- I disable my McAfee VirusScan, but no help.

I try all troubleshooting I know, but still not figure out the
connection problem.

Does McAfee have a firewall component? Perhaps it does, got updated, and
now you have two firewalls running. Look at Event Viewer on the XP
machines for clues:

Start>Run>eventvwr.msc [enter]

Are all machines virus/malware-free? McAfee will not catch non-viral
malware. Be sure:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Permissions to shares do not change all by themselves. You say no "major
changes" but what about minor changes?

Here is an excellent network troubleshooter by MVP Hans-Georg Michna.
Take the time to go through it because it will usually pinpoint the
problem area(s):

http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User