Networking WinXP and Win98 machines connected via Linksys Router??? Update - I might be almost there but need help!

[spartacuskzm]

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To the networking gods, I have what is probably a very simple problem but haven't been able to solve it yet.
I have two computers connected to a cable modem via a Linksys Etherfast 4 port router model BEFSR41. One computer is running Windows 98 (an old AMD K62 400 mhz w/ 198 megs of Ram if that matters) and the other is running WinXP (and specs are below). I have the WinXP disk, but do NOT have a Win98 disk as the computer didn't ship with one.
The issue is that I need to give the Win98 comptuer to my poor old mother (she's finally excited about learning about computers). The problem is that we have a massive amount of data on that computer (MP3's, tax files, personal work files, etc) that need to be moved to the other computer. However, we have no CDR drive or zip drive to be used on the old Win98 machine.
Is there a way for me to network the two computers with the hardware/software I currently have and share files. I tried following the WinXp instructions on networking the two computers (I had to insert the WinXP disk in my Win98 machine and change some settings) and it didn't work.
Is there an easier way of doing it? For instance somehow directly connecting them directly via the ethernet cable? Would that be simpler in any way, or is that the same as going through the router?
Sorry for being such a newbie, but I am what I am.
P.S. I'm at work right now so while I can't test any suggestions immediateliy, I'd really really really welcome them.
Thanks!</FONT>

 

[dirtweasel]

i guess what you're saying is that both computers can access the internet but can't see each other
on the network?

are both computers getting their ip's broadcast to them by the linksys? if so, you should be able to create
a user account on your xp machine that is the same username and password as whatever you logon to your
98 box and then share a folder on your xp machine (assuming you have client for microsoft networks on both
machines and file and print sharing installed on your xp machine) and give that username permission to
write to that folder.

does this help out at all?

james.

 

[spartacuskzm]

James,
Thank you very much for the speedy reply. The short answer is I don't know.

Yes, both machines are accessing the internet fine. The issue is that they don't see each other. The only things that I have done with the computers are:

1.) Installed the router and router software (with the firmware upgrade that allows for ZoneAlarm).
2.) Attempted to network them through the networking wizard in XP (and did some stuff to the Win98 machine - whatever it told me but it was about a month ago so I don't remember.)
3.) Failed miserably.

If somewhere in that process both computers are getting their IPs broadcast to them then yes, I did that (see how dense I am). I can type that number address to access the router info from both computers (I think it was something like 198....), so that worked. Does that help you help me?

Again, sorry for my ignorance.

 

[Jhereg]

make sure :
1. you have print and file sharing enabled on both machines

2. both machines are in the same workgroup

3. share the drive/directories that you want to share

4. disable any firewall software on the machines

 

[spartacuskzm]

Jhereg,
Are the instructions for doing all those things somewhere easily found? Are there steps which I should follow to get to that end?

I'm especially curious about the workgroup thing...I think everything else is self-explanatory.

Thanks!

 

[Kin]

I have a very similar setup. The new networking menu scheme of WinXP is gay IMO.
Both computers are using the same workgroup name?

Try to configure the network again on your XP machine using Network setup wizard and reboot if you haven't already.
I had the same problem before but I'm not sure as to how I solved it exactly.

 

[JackMDS]

Read the content of the following Links:

Networking and sharing between computers.

Windows XP Home Ed. Sharing Disks /Folders

Windows XP Professional Ed. Sharing Disks /Folders

 

[Jhereg]

I think JackMDS ' links shall answer all your questions

 

[spartacuskzm]

Thanks everybody - I'll hit it up with instructions in hand as soon as I get home.

 

[spartacuskzm]

Well I was all set to go, and I think all the settings are correct on the XP machine. However, when I go to double click on the "Entire Network" icon in Network Neighborhood it tells me "Unable to Browse the Network. The Network is not accessible. For more info see Network Troubleshooter".

Tried the troubleshooter, nothing worked.

Suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[tjwenger]

Well well, Seems a few peeps have done this before. hehe, Nice work guys

 

[spartacuskzm]

<FONT color=#000000 face=Helv size=2>
Ok - I'm going back on what I said and I'm going to give it one more shot to network my computer using the instructions located here (and NetBUI):
</FONT><FONT color=#000000 face=Courier size=2>Linky - scroll down some for "The" Solution</FONT><FONT color=#000000 face=Helv size=2>
My question is this. For my Win98 machine when I logon (right after turning it on) it asks me the domain (I guess because I'm using that client/networking protocol). What do I put in there? My workgroup? My router address, my mothers maiden name???
Help!
Thanks
P.S. If this doesn't work then I'm really going to use the serial connection I was suggested in "General Hardware".</FONT>

 

[spartacuskzm]

Hey SETI guys, after I figure this one out I'm gonna join Team Anandtech...just gotta get through this (hint hint hint).

 

[Jhereg]

In Domain put the workgroup name you defined on the XP machine

 

[spartacuskzm]

Thanks everybody - I was able to get it fixed.

I had to install NetBUI on the XP machine and then they were finally able to "talk"

Thanks again