Network prob with XPpro

Posted a few days ago in alt.pcnews, wonder if anyone here can help:

pmj...

But I didn't (& don't) have any bright ideas that would make it Fixted.

We've two W98se machines linked via ethernet & ADSL/router, all w**king
fine. Then added a laptop which has XPpro. After using the network
connection wizard the situation is:

The 2 W98 boxes can read and write to the laptop.
The laptop can see the internet & download stuff. But it can't see either of
the W98 machines for file sharing, tho' it can ping them!

pmj...

Thought it was a Zonealarm thing, so made sure all were mutually in the
trusted zone. No change, and (after disconnecting the internet feed) I
turned off ZA and still no change.

Paul Jeffree...

Sussed at last! The W98se boxes were using Netbeui protocol, because they

pmj...

Ah!
Obvious, really, when yo uthink about it, isn't it?
:-)

were originally netted to a W95 one which wouldn't play on TCP/IP. Unbinding

pmj...

Oh?
w95 *should* work with TCP OK?
Yes, you may need to Update the TCP/IP Stack on it, but I know that
w95 can work with TCP/IP.

Netbeui and binding to TCP/IP has done the trick, leaving Netbeui still
there in case I need to link the old W95 machine temporarily again. Now why
didn't I figure that earlier?

datasmog...

Myth number 4.

Ali...

Myth number 11 also seems relevant to the discussions on setting up networks
we've had in here.

I've got 95/98SE/XP computers all with different names and passwords happily
talking to each other over TCP/IP.

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°°6 +...

I've got a 98SE and XP Home edition talking together as well. Since I'm
still a sort of newbie I've never had or seen Windows 95.

pmj...

But you've got several ancient Applications, that were originally
written for w95, working (to greater or lesser degrees) with/on
your w98 & WinXP Machines, haven't you?

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°°6 +...

Yep - that's why I want to retain my second machine on OOS Windows 98.

BTW, yes, WinXP (Home) & w98 Machines will often, usually, normally
work together in a Network OK, but sometimes (though not always),
it's when trying to *also* use a WinXP (Pro) Machine in the same
Network that probs can occur.

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°°6 +...

I'll don't think I'll ever *want* to *afford* the Pro versions of any
software. ;)

Paul Jeffree...

Yes, I saw something similar when I first tried to net the W95 box. Tried to
make it w*rk on TCP/IP but had some prob then but don't recall details - it
was simpler to use Netbeui. As you've gathered, I'm fik! But if I need the
W95 box again I'll try again to use TCP/IP....

pmj...

You may find that you will need to update the TCP/IP Stack
(the Winsock stuff), on an early w95 Installation.

There are lots of Articles on the M$KB (micro$oft Knowledge Base)
about getting TCP/IP & Winsock to work properly in w95, try these...

Availability of Windows Sockets 2.0 for Windows 95

How To Set Up a TCP/IP Peer-to-Peer Network Connection

A Description of Windows 95 and Windows 98 Network Protocols

How to Troubleshoot home networking in Windows XP

How to Troubleshoot Basic TCP/IP Problems

Paul Jeffree...

I'll keep those for reference if or when I try that again!

pmj...

That's a *very* interesting, informative & Helpful Page, isn't it?
It's answered several little niggling & annoying things that I have
come up against over a period of time.

;-)

Thanks for other suggestions, all help to show how very little I know about

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°°6 +...

Glad you've sussed it out Jeff. Needless to say what you have said is
virtually double Dutch to me.

Paul Jeffree...

Will be to me, too, by tomorrow... I still don't know why the old machines
could see the XP box before. Still, now it's w**king both ways I'll be happy
for the mo ;-)

this game!

I've not used XP before, and expect I'm missing something obvious....

Suggestions welcome!

pmj...

Have you tried Enabling the "Simple File Sharing" thingy
in the WinXP Pro Machine?
(Or Disabling it, if it's Enabled.)

Paul Jeffree...

Two "shared" folders are enabled.

pmj...

Yep, but in WinXP Pro, (as opposed to WinXP Home)you can specify
that it either uses "Simple File Sharing" or ordinary File Sharing...

I think that Option is in the Folder Options in windoze explorer.
Nope, sorry, it's on the RightClick>Properties of a Folder...

Paul Jeffree...

Found it on this WPpro laptop at: Control panel > Folders > View - set to
Enable.
Tried turning it off, but no change.

How to configure File Sharing in Windows XP
How to disable simplified sharing and set permissions
on a shared folder in Windows XP

& here are some articles (based on those M$KB Articles) on some
of the other Networking Help Sites...

Paul Jeffree...

Had a read of those, thanks. But the W98 machines *do* have full access to
the laptop shares, provided Simple File Sharing is enabled. The prob remains
that the lappy can't see the W98 shares, tho it can ping them.

I can't remember where that Option is, exactly, but have a look
around in the various property Boxes on Drives & Folders & things.
(or in the XP "Help & Support" thingy)

WinXP Pro has *different* Settings available than WinXP Home in
that respect.

Also, what does a "net view" (at a Command Prompt) show?

Paul Jeffree...

"Net view" on the laptop only shows itself.

pmj...

That's what I was suspecting.
:-(

Run on the others it shows all three machines.

pmj...

Yep.
It would.

But I didn't think the other Machines had XP on them?
So how come you can Run the "net" Command Line Utility on them then?

Ali...

'Cos Win 98SE (at least) has the net command as well.

NET VIEW Displays a list of computers that share
resources or a list of shared resources
on a specific computer.

Paul Jeffree...

I see you and Ali sussed that out - in my ignorance I just did the same as
on the laptop!

& can you ping the other (w98) Machines?
Both by Machine Name & by IP Address?

Paul Jeffree...

Yes...

& have you Set the XP Pro Machine up with a User Account that you
have to Log into with a PassWord, or not?

Paul Jeffree...

Yes, 2 accounts, one admin and one limited, each needing a password.

Thanks for reply, pmj. At least it gets me burrowing around again. The

pmj...

Yep.
I know it can sometimes be a bit of a Faff getting a WinXP Pro
Machine to fully work (in both directions) with other (w98 or WinXP
Home) Machines.

But other times it all works fine!

What Firewall(s) do you have on each of the Machines?
I know you mentioned ZoneAlarm, but is that on *all* of the Machines?

Paul Jeffree...

Yes, the free one & all up to date. Tried with ZA turned off, but no joy...

If it's the Free ZA, then I know there can sometimes be some probs,
when trying to do things like File Sharing &/or ICS (Internet
Connection Sharing) between other PCs

Have a good look around on Sites like that "PracticallyNetworked.com"
& "HomeNetHelp.com" Sites

& also on the M$KB (micro$oft Knowledge Base) Site & the "Using XP"
micro$oft Site

& also in the WinXP "Help & Support" thingy.

Paul Jeffree...

Will do!

problem is only annoying, as I can read and write to the laptop from the
others OK. It was got as a convenient feed for a a digital projector, but
will no doubt find other uses!