Mixing XP and Win98se boxes on home network?

[MoboMojo]

Just finished setting up a new XP-based PC for one of my kids. My house is already networked, but all other PCs on the network (4) run Win98SE. The network has been running solid for 2+ years, but the new, XP-based PC cannot 'see' any of the other PCs nor can any of the other PCs 'see' the new xp box. The XP box is set up properly (I think), since I can access the internet without problem. Each PC is connected to a 5-port hub that is uplinked to a Sonicwall (soho) firewall which in turn is uplinked to a cable modem. As I said, no problems with internet connection.

The WinXP networking guide did not address a 'mixed' network....nor did I think there is any reason why this would be a problem. FWIW, all of the Win98se boxes run TCP/IP and IPX/SPX prototcols. I believe those protocols are also running on the XP box, although the naming of IPX/SPX was different from the Win98se machines.

Can anyone offer any insights as to what I might be missing here?

TIA,
wumpus....

 

[earthling]

Why do you have both tcp/ip and ipx/spx protocols on your system? tcp/ip should be it, unless you have a novell based server for the ipx/spx... also make sure you have "Client for microsoft networks checked on your xp box" in networking section.

 

[cleverhandle]

I believe that file sharing and browsing between XP and Win9x requires some sort of setup disk to be run on the 9x hosts. I thought that the Network setup wizard prompted you to do this, but I only saw it done once by someone else, so I'm short on details. Sorry.

 

[mboy]

Originally posted by: cleverhandle
I believe that file sharing and browsing between XP and Win9x requires some sort of setup disk to be run on the 9x hosts. I thought that the Network setup wizard prompted you to do this, but I only saw it done once by someone else, so I'm short on details. Sorry.

Nope, shouldnt need to do that.

Make sure the FW on XP is turned off and make sure you have simple file sharing disabled on the XP machine. (open a folder,tools, folder options,view and make sure enable simple file sharing is unchecked).

You will also need to create usernames and passwrods on the WINXP machine for all of the 98 machines or else you will not be able to log onto the XP machine from the 98 boxes.

 

[wumpuskiller]

Earthling....IPX/SPX protocol was on the existing network to handle some older games that my kids played against each other on the LAN.

Cleverhandle...I created one of those disks, but MS's knowledge base says that those should be used if the xp pc is to be the 'host' for ics (its not).

Just trying to set-up a basic, peer-to-peer arrangement like the one setup for the Win98se machines.

wumpus....
(alter ego of MoboMojo)

 

[wumpuskiller]

mboy...thanks for the response....was composing my previous post before seeing your post.

i will try your suggestions tonight. Regarding creation of usernames/passwords on the xp machine.....should those be for the actual machine names for the other pc's, or for the users on those machines who will access the xp box?

TIA,
wumpus....

 

[mboy]

Those should be for the users, not the PC names. Even if u dont have the usernames created, u should at least be able to see the XP shares on those machines, then when u try an access them, it will ask u for username and password (that is if u arent loggin into the 98 boxes with client for MS netwroks). Dont forget to actually share out folders, files or drives on the XP machine

 

[MoboMojo]

mboy,

Make sure the FW on XP is turned off and make sure you have simple file sharing disabled on the XP machine. (open a folder,tools, folder options,view and make sure enable simple file sharing is unchecked).

OK, did all but the last (disabling simple file sharing on xp machine). Don't see any option on file sharing (simple or otherwise) after opening a folder and clicking: tools>folder options> view. This is an xp (home) machine, not xp (professional) if that makes a difference.

Still can't see any other comps on the network nor can other comps see the xp machine. All other machines are happy.
******************
Well, here's a little update. When I go to one of the other comps on the network and click: Start>Find>Computer and enter the name of the xp computer, it is found! But the xp computer is not visible in Explorer/network neighborhood, nor can I map to the xp computer.
******************
wumpus....

 

[mboy]

OK, do u have netbios over tcp/ip enabled? Also, mae sure the workgroup names are the same. I beleive XP uses MSNhome or something as default instead of workgroup, but don't exactly recall this 100%

 

[MoboMojo]

Thanks, mboy.

Enabling netbios did the trick. Both machines can now see each other and files are accessible in both directions. I'd not touched the netbios setting since initially setting up the network (before days when personal firewalls were an everyday item). I'd kept netbios turned off so that port 139 would be closed....but now I connect through a hardware firewall, so re-enabling netbios on tcp/ip is no problem.

btw...i thought that most of the file sharing capabilities provided by netbios on tcp/ip were also provided by IPX/SPX protocol without needing to enable netbios. Any idea why IPX/SPX on xp and non-xp didn't doesn't do the trick?

thanks again,
wumpus....

 

[mboy]

I don't use IPX/SPX in Windows (no reason to), so I couldnt help u there. Glad u got it working tho