Networking Windows XP and 95

[mddolloff]

I am trying to get a windows 95 computer and a windows XP computer to network correctly with each other in my home network. As of right now the XP box can see the 95 box and transfer files to and from folders that are shared on the 95 box. However, the 95 box can't get to the XP box. Can't ping it or anything. I know both NICs are working, but I can't figure out what the heck is going on. Any thoughts?

 

[mddolloff]

Allright, I figured out it was the firewall that is default with windows XP. Is there anyway I can leave that firewall up and still access the xp box from the 95 box?

 

[Jwyatt]

Do you have file and print sharing enabled on the XP box?

 

[Woodchuck2000]

Yup, the WinXP firewall causes masses of problems for local networking when it's enabled.
The built in XP networking things (ICS and Firewall) work very nicely - I'm connected via ICS running on my server at the moment - but they're very hard to tweak. I dont know of a way to selectively open bits of the firewall, although I think that if you disable it only on your local connection and not on your internet connection, it should be fine.

Does anyone know how to tweak ICS in winXP?

 

[yelpingnewt]

I have a similar question, so I'll just put it in here. Whenever I set up my network (with xp and 98 machines), I have to keep on running the network setup wizard for the 98 computer to connect to the internet. The XP computer is the one with the cable modem, and the 98 computer is connected to it through a switch. Also, with this firewall that comes default with xp, is there a way to turn it off during the setup wizard? Sorry for the mini-hijack, but it's pretty similar to the original question.

 

[mddolloff]

<< Do you have file and print sharing enabled on the XP box? >>



Yes I do. I disabled the firewall and now it is working, but really really slow. Both directions. Any thoughts?

 

[mddolloff]

Alright, so now I have a connection between my two computers. THe catch is that when I try to access my 95 machine from the XP machine it takes forever and a couple days to bring up the shared folders/files on the 95 machine and it also takes a long time to fine the Winn95 computer. The Win95 computer has no problem talking to the XP box when I am on it. Finds everything and transfers fast. Any ideas why the XP machine is slow on finding the stuff?

Thanks

 

[JellyBaby]

mddolloff, for both Win 95 and XP make sure you have only one protocol bound to File and Print Sharing. TCP/IP seems to work best as far as getting the damn OSes to talk to each other goes.

 

[dexter333]

Choose only one protocol. I have a similar problem too. The speeds of connecting to my sister's computer is slow. but transfers are still like 3000K/s. I guess it's normal. All windows networks I have EVER used have been slow browsing.

 

[slowbutsure]

Win XP only likes TCP/IP for lans. Trying to use anything else will result in no/slow connections.

 

[JellyBaby]

Yup, which means be doggone sure you're behind NAT and/or have a decent firewall running and make sure no computer on your LAN is in a demilitarized zone.

 

[Woodchuck2000]

Just out of interest jellybaby, how many small home networks have you seen that have a DMZ?

 

[JellyBaby]

In cases where one computer serves as a game host on a small LAN sometimes putting that host on a DMZ solves certain problems. I'd never do it personally but some will risk it.