how do i Network xp to 98 and ME?

[Agent Z]

I cannot figure out how network 3 of my pc's my main computer is running xp pro and i need to network 2 other pc's one wiht me and the other with 98se. I can internet connection share with them but i cannot see them at all?? i am using a 5 port switch and i have a usb dsl modem that is connected to my xp pc...how can i make it so that they can all see each other?
-Paul

[skid]

For you to see them all on the network you gotta assign everyone an IP and subnet mask, and put everybody on the same workgroup (for convienience).

To use internet conection sharing let your ISP automatically assign IP's. (but now you can't see them on the network)

[DDR-PIII]

hmm it's not very hard as long as they are on the same workgroup.

[mbigna]

It will be easiest if you run the Networking Wizard from the XP machine first. Then run the XP Netorking Wizard on your 98 and ME machines. You can do this by allowing the XP machine to create a Network Wizard floppy (you will be prompted for this), or by inserting the XP O/S disk into each of your other machines and selecting "Perform Additional Tasks" then "Set up a home or small office network" from the startup menu.

Answer all the questions correctly and reboot and you should be OK. You may want to write down IP addresses (if not being automatically assigned), computer names and the common workgroup name you want to use across your network.

[Agent Z]

i did do that but i cannot see the computers ...and they cannot see me..the internet connection sharing works great but we cant see aeach other...

[mbigna]

DUH! I just reread your thread and am now slapping myself in the face. Those PITA USB modems cause more problems than you can ever know. I have had more problems with them for clients, that I just tell them to throw them in the trash and buy one with an ethernet WAN connection.

Here are things to make sure of:
1) You should have your modem hooked up to the XP machine (as you say you have).
2) Your XP machine will almost DEMAND to act as a router--even if you don't want it to. Attempting to manually/statically assign IP's to your machines will probably not work.
3) If your switch is really a switch/router--make sure that the ROUTING function (Network Address Translation or NAT) is turned OFF because your machine connected to the internet will be taking on those functions.
4) Power down all your machines AND your switch(/router). Restart your switch and then turn on your XP (routing) machine. Then turn on your other machines one at a time. THEN go to your network neighborhood screens on each machine and press F5 (or pull down "refresh" from the task bar).

With any luck, you machines will be able to 'see' each other. But there are no guarantees here from me. I've seen connections come and go sporadically with this configuration and I have yet to be able to explain it. It works better if all the machines are running Win XP (if you can afford it).

[macklin01]

Have you double-checked your hub that all the proper indicators are lit?

The most common cause of this error, if your connections, etc., are correct, is that the workgroup names don't match identically. Another potential cause might be if the computers were all given the same name in the workgroup.

Make sure also that no IP addresses are clashing. In winxp, go to start, run, cmd, then ipconfig. If I remember correctly, in 98se, go to run, start, winipcfg.

Oh, BTW, I believe you need 98SE and not plain ordinary 98 to share with that computer. (at least in the manner described above for internet connection sharing). I know you said you had the second edition, but I just thought I'd double check.

Please let us know how it's going for you. -- Paul

*edit* I've also had winXP networked with winME for quite some time before upgrading the ME machine to XP. It worked just fine there, and I've also shared the modem on the ME machine before. Interesting points there. Thanks! --- Paul

[Agent Z]

yeah they all have the same workgroup name and diff computer names....
and i have 98se....
ergg this is a pain

[macklin01]

what's the name of one of the computers on the network? for example, neuron is one of ours. I'd take that name, got to another computer, and type \\neuron in the address bar. Try that manually and see if anything comes up. -- Paul

*edit* also, did you check all the ip addresses?

*edit* Ah, I have another one! Did you checkmark a setting on to firewall the ethernet (local area network) connections? If so, uncheck those and see what happens. I had that problem once on my home network. -- Paul

[Fightingpiper]

Can your Xp machine see your 98 and ME machines?and/or can your 98 and ME see each other and not the XP? if this is the case it may have to do with the XP being formated in NTFS and the 98 and ME with FAT32. THe 98 and ME cant read NTFS......

Dont know if thats the case or if you cant see any of the other computers at all from each computer

[macklin01]

An interesting thought, but they should be able to read one another via the network. (I had my entire hdd in ntfs on my xp computer networked with my wife's ME computer with no problems there.)

See the picture here:
http://www.math.umn.edu/~macklin/images/ocforum/network.jpg

Notice that the dial-up connection on the top has a padlock on it, showing that it's firewalled, whereas the LAN connection on the bottom does not. I remember that recently when I was configuring my network, my computers couldn't see one another (although dial-up sharing was fine) when I had similarly firewalled the LAN. You should check to see that there's no padlock there.

The more I think about it and compare it to my own networking troubles, the more I suspect this. -- Paul

[Agent Z]

OK cool thanks i will chec that out as soon as i get home..i have 3 classes today and won't get home till six..ugg
but yeah i will chec that..i really am thankfull for all of your help

[macklin01]

We all just hope it works out for you. Good luck! -- Paul

[Agent Z]

IT was the Firewall....It is all fixed now...THANKS A WHOLE LOT!!!!!

[Agent Z]

how did you get your sig test so small? and colorfull

[macklin01]

Agent, I'm glad to hear it!!! :) As for sig, I'll take a look. I probably reduced the font size and resisted pressing "enter" even when the line wrapped in their configuration box. (only press enter where you intend the line breaks.) Also a lot of trial and error. As for color,
[color=red}some text here[/color}, except with brackets on the right. Actually, I've been meaning to add more color sometime soon .. maybe now's the time to do that. :)

I'm really glad to hear that it worked out for you! It's been awhile since I've been back at the forums and been able to help someone out. BTW, if you ever get those firewall settings figured out, let me know! :)

Later! -- Paul

[Agent Z]

oh well i just disabled the firewall and i have a Zone Alarm firewall up anyway so i didn't think i needed the Windowz one....
He he!

[DDR-PIII]

Lol, Ok I' going to make my self look like a fool, but it's not really my fault. Ok, in 98se how do I share my HDD ? all I know is that I've gotta right click on my network places, but I can't remember the rest.

[macklin01]

If you have file sharing enabled and your network is set up, you should be able to right-click the appropriate folder (or drive) and go to "sharing..." and go from there. I wouldn't recommend sharing the entire hard drive, though. Just not a good habit. (That being said, I do it on my home network, too. :))

-- Paul

[DDR-PIII]

Originally posted by macklin01
If you have file sharing enabled and your network is set up, you should be able to right-click the appropriate folder (or drive) and go to "sharing..." and go from there. I wouldn't recommend sharing the entire hard drive, though. Just not a good habit. (That being said, I do it on my home network, too. :))

-- Paul

I don't have anything enabled, that what I need to know how to do :), but I also share the whole HHD ;)

[macklin01]

Hmm, have you gone through the home networking setup wizard? Usually, file and print sharing are already enabled after you go through that. Otherwise, I think you'll need to go to the control panel, networking properties (or something like that) and browse through the protocols and see if you can add ms networking file and printer sharing, or something to that effect. Sorry, but I'm in linuxland right now and won't be able to check for the moment.

Using the home network setup wizard would be the easiest way about it, though.

-- Paul

[DDR-PIII]

Originally posted by macklin01
Hmm, have you gone through the home networking setup wizard? Usually, file and print sharing are already enabled after you go through that. Otherwise, I think you'll need to go to the control panel, networking properties (or something like that) and browse through the protocols and see if you can add ms networking file and printer sharing, or something to that effect. Sorry, but I'm in linuxland right now and won't be able to check for the moment.

Using the home network setup wizard would be the easiest way about it, though.

-- Paul thks for the help :)even though it wasnt a full description on how to do it I get the general Idea onb where to go in windows :)

[macklin01]

Glad to help. Sorry that I couldn't provide more precise instructions. Please do post again if you still need more help, and we'll all work to get it going for you. :) -- Paul

[Agent Z]

Originally posted by DDR-PIII


I don't have anything enabled, that what I need to know how to do :), but I also share the whole HHD ;)

what you need to do is to go into explorer and right click on your hardrive then go into the sharing options..there you can set the options that you want...weather you need to have it pasworrded or whatever...

does that help?