XP Protocol Problem

[Bill]

I have 2 older WinME systems that are networked and using ICS. For
some reason one of the systems is locked into the NetBEUI protocol and
I have been unable to change it. But this has not been a problem
before since I've set both systems to use NetBEUI.

I've just added a 3rd PC to the network, and this new PC is running
WinXP. ICS worked immediately, but since the 2 WinME systems are
using NetBEUI, I am unable to map drives between the PC's. This is
very strange, since a search on the WinXP system does see the other
systems. Offhand, I'd think if I copied the WinXP NWLink
IPX/SPX/NetBIOS protocol to a floppy and then installed it to the 2
WinME drives, this might solve the problem - but I'm not sure this is
right as I'm not a network guru.

Does anyone know how I can install the WinXP protocol to the ME
machines? Or does anyone have any better ideas?

Bill(at)AA4M.Com
E-mail: Change "(at)" to "@"

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I have 2 older WinME systems that are networked and using ICS. For
some reason one of the systems is locked into the NetBEUI protocol and
I have been unable to change it. But this has not been a problem
before since I've set both systems to use NetBEUI.

I've just added a 3rd PC to the network, and this new PC is running
WinXP. ICS worked immediately, but since the 2 WinME systems are
using NetBEUI, I am unable to map drives between the PC's. This is
very strange, since a search on the WinXP system does see the other
systems. Offhand, I'd think if I copied the WinXP NWLink
IPX/SPX/NetBIOS protocol to a floppy and then installed it to the 2
WinME drives, this might solve the problem - but I'm not sure this is
right as I'm not a network guru.

Does anyone know how I can install the WinXP protocol to the ME
machines? Or does anyone have any better ideas?

Bill(at)AA4M.Com
E-mail: Change "(at)" to "@"

What do you mean by "locked into the NetBEUI protocol"? What happens
if you go to Control Panel | Network and tell it to remove NetBEUI?

The key to Windows networking is to use the same, single protocol for
file and printer sharing on all computers. That protocol can be
NetBEUI, TCP/IP, or IPX/SPX. Note that Windows XP calls IPX/SPX
"NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol".

The best solution would be to remove NetBEUI from all computers and
use only TCP/IP.

If you want to use NetBEUI, here's how:

1. Install NetBEUI on XP, as shown here:

HOW TO: Install NetBEUI on Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;301041

2. Un-bind file sharing from TCP/IP, as shown here:

Windows XP Network Protocols

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/network_protocols.htm

In my opinion, adding [NWLink] IPX/SPX to any of the computers would
just make the situation worse.

It isn't possible to copy a protocol from one computer to another.
--
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 Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Bill]

What do you mean by "locked into the NetBEUI protocol"? What happens
if you go to Control Panel | Network and tell it to remove NetBEUI?

Hello Steve,

A couple of years ago I went through a HUGE effort trying to solve
this problem, I think you were also involved. Basically, I had 2
WinME systems that were networked. On one, only NetBEUI was
available, I could remove it but no other protocols were then
available to install. Nobody was ever able to offer a solution to
this problem, including a couple of MVP's who were heavily involved!
But since NetBEUI worked OK, I've been using it ever since.

Of course when I saw that my new WinXP system didn't have NetBEUI, I
was concerned. But as of about an hour ago I got NetBEUI working on
the XP system and all 3 PC's are networked, so I'm happy!. Once I get
all my files transferred off the old system, I'll switch my remaining
WinME and the XP systems over to TCP/IP as you suggested.

Bill(at)AA4M.Com
E-mail: Change "(at)" to "@"