Win98 / WinXP networking only one way

[Damin Kercha]

I have a desktop pc with Win98 and a laptop with WinXP(Home). I have
the two machines connected with a crossover cable and have set static
IPs on both. The problem is I can map network drives from the XP to
the '98 machine and use the printers connected to the '98 box, but
when I try to access the XP machine from the '98 machine I get an
error ('network not available'). I can ping the XP box but cannot see
it in Network Neighborhood. I have verified that the firewall is
disabled on the XP box and have TCP/IP, File and Print Sharing
installed on both machines. I have a feelig that this is something
simple and I am just not seeing it. HELP please!!!!

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I have a desktop pc with Win98 and a laptop with WinXP(Home). I have
the two machines connected with a crossover cable and have set static
IPs on both. The problem is I can map network drives from the XP to
the '98 machine and use the printers connected to the '98 box, but
when I try to access the XP machine from the '98 machine I get an
error ('network not available'). I can ping the XP box but cannot see
it in Network Neighborhood. I have verified that the firewall is
disabled on the XP box and have TCP/IP, File and Print Sharing
installed on both machines. I have a feelig that this is something
simple and I am just not seeing it. HELP please!!!!

1. A common reason for inability to browse the network is that the
user isn't logged on. Is there a logon prompt when Windows 98 starts?
If so, don't cancel it. Complete the logon by entering a user name
and, optionally, a password. If there's no logon prompt, click Start
| Shut Down | Close all programs... and log back on. If that makes
network browsing work properly, the most likely fix is to go to this
registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Network\Real Mode Net

and delete the value named "AutoLogon", as shown here:

http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/nologon.htm#AutoLogon

2. You've already disabled XP's built-in Internet Connection Firewall.
Good. Now, disable and un-install any other firewall programs
(ZoneAlarm, Norton Internet Security, etc) while troubleshooting.
Note that some antivirus programs have a firewall built in. If you've
previously un-installed a firewall program, go to Start | Run |
Msconfig | Startup and disable any remnants of it.

3. Use only one protocol for File and Printer Sharing. If the network
needs more than one protocol, unbind File and Printer Sharing from all
but one of them. Details here:

Windows XP Network Protocols
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/network_protocols.htm

4. Make sure that NetBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled on both computers.
Details here:

Enable NetBIOS Over TCP/IP (NetBT)
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/troubleshoot/netbt.htm
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - Windows Networking
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm

 

[Carey Holzman]

www.careyholzman.com/netfixes.htm

Carey