How do I get my two computers to see each other on the Network Neighborhood?

[brian_riendeau]

This is probably a total noob question but I would like some help with it. I have one computer running WinXP with a Linksys NIC and another running Win98SE with a Netgear NIC. Both machines are hooked into a 4 port Netgear hub, then the uplink port on the hub goes to my cable modem. Both machines can go online just fine with no issues at all and have static IPs from the cable company. Both machines have File and Printer sharing enabled and they are each sharing one directory for testing. Each machine can only see itself and the test folder under the Network Neighborhood. What I am trying to do it make it so both machines can see each under Network Neighborhood for file transfers and such. Once I get everything working I can focus on securing the two. What exactly do I need to do so the machines can talk to each other? Thanks.

 

[Mucman]

What happens if you try searching for the computer? Or try typing "\\computername\ in the address bar in Windows Explorer

On the WindowsXP machine you will have to create a user for the win98 box. So if the win98 machine logins in with "win98machine" with no password
then, create the user "win98machine" on the XP machine, and then apply the proper permissions for the share. The WindowsXP machine should see the share on the win98 machine without any other configuration. Also make sure the "Windows File and Printer Sharing" is bound to the same protocol.

 

[brian_riendeau]

Sounds easy enough, I will try it right when I get home from work, thanks.

 

[brian_riendeau]

Welp, tried that and still nothing. I even went thru the XP Wizard and made a network floppy and put it in my Win98SE machine and still nothing. Exact same situation, each machine can see itself but not the other machine. Any other ideas?

 

[n0cmonkey]

Are they on the same subnet? Do they have the same workgroup name? Are they running firewall software? Have you read the FAQs?

 

[brian_riendeau]

"Are they on the same subnet?"

One machine is 207.5.152.125 and the other is 207.5.244.133. IPs are static based on the Mac address on the NICs. Subnet mask is 255.255.255.0 on both.

"Do they have the same workgroup name?"

Yes.

"Are they running firewall software?"

No.

Have you read the FAQs?"

I read the WinNT/2K FAQ and applied whatever info was relevant.

 

[Woodchuck2000]

<< One machine is 207.5.152.125 and the other is 207.5.244.133. IPs are static based on the Mac address on the NICs. Subnet mask is 255.255.255.0 on both. >>



They are currently on different subnets - For those machines to communicate directly, they would need the subnet mask 255.255.0.0
At the moment, each machine will assume the other is on a remote network and send any packets to the address specified in the default gateway.

BTW, the subnet masks Do Not need to be identical for two machines to communicate - it's a pet peeve of mine that everyone keeps suggesting that they do.

 

[n0cmonkey]

<< "Are they running firewall software?"

No. >>



You should consider it since you have microsoft networking installed on the machines.



<< "Have you read the FAQs?"

I read the WinNT/2K FAQ and applied whatever info was relevant. >>



There are some networking FAQs up at the top that may help.

Woodchuck2000 how do you see a machine that is not on the same subnet in network neighborhood? And I guess you would have to use tcp/ip since all gateways and routers should block SMB from coming in or going out, right?