Win XP and Win98SE cannot see each other on the network

[Halmos]

I have two computers connected via a router. One runs WinXP (I got this one after the other) and other runs Win 98SE. If I set up my network on WIN XP I can see the other computer, transfer files etc. for sometime. After sometime (I don't know how much time, or why) the computers cannot see each other (there is no problem, however, surfing the net). I have to usually go through the whole process of setting up the network on my XP to restore the network. Again it works for sometime.... and then the computers don't see each other.
I didn't have this problem earlier. I don't know why this is happening.

Can anyone please help me with the problem?

Recently I have disabled the windows messenger service (the popup messenger messages).
Also, I sometimes log on to VPN which temporarily changes my ip address.

The firewall in XP is disabled. The ip addresses are of the form 192.168.1.* (* belongs to {1,2,...10})

 

[Halmos]

I forgot to mention that if I Ping the other computer and the router (even when I cannot see the other computer) no packets are lost.
thanks.

 

[gdtaylor]

The following article from the World of Windows Networking site may be useful:

Networking between Windows XP/2K and Windows 95/98

I also like to configure an LMHOSTS file for each computer to speed up name resolution. The LMHOSTS file tells windows the name and IP addresses of the other computers on your network. You can find a sample LMHOSTS file by doing a search for LMHOSTS.SAM on each computer.

LHOSTS Example:

192.168.0.1 winxp #PRE
192.168.0.2 win98 #PRE

#PRE loads the entry into the name cache. You should always use #PRE.

 

[bub]

I had same problem when I changed to Windows XP. I have a Linksys BEFSR41 router.

My problem was old router firmware. If you have a Linksys, go to their site online and get latest firmware.

 

[Halmos]

Thanks. Yes I do have the same router. I didn't know it was that problem. I will get the firmware and see if that works. Will try and let you know.
Thanks again.

 

[Halmos]

Well I upgraded the firmware but still no luck. I can see all the folders on the other computer on my XP computer. Those folders have name X(Y), where X is the folder name on WIN98SE computer and Y is the computer name assigned to that computer. However, when I arrange the icons on my XP computer by the criterion of computers, the win98se shows as the name "unknown". and as a result I cannot share it.
Still stuck with the problem. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Gdhosts can you please tell me where to save the LMhosts file.
thank you.

 

[Halmos]

Is there no one who can help me with this annoying problem. Please help??

 

[redbeard1]

You might try loading the netbeui protocol on both machines. XP doesn't have it built in, but the files you need are on the xp disk.

I know network guys won't like this suggestion, but it is a good protocol for sharing on a small network. It does a nice job of finding other computers on any network that has netbeui running on all the systems. That way if you change your ip settings, it won't bother this protocol. Big networks use tcp/ip netbios to find other computers and their names.

Here is a link to microsoft explaining how you do it their way. In the article it tells you to put the files in "%systemroot%" That is their way of saying the 'windows' folder

Adding netbeui to xp

A google search brought up this link to a utility that appears to add the files for you.

Netbeui utility?

 

[bub]

What I did was set the WinSE computer to 'let all others see my files'. Control Panel>Network>??. Don't remember exactly where you do this, but should be easy to find.
Then opened Explorer, scrolled down to My Network, opened everything to the WinSE hard drive, right clk, and give permissions.
Then back to XP computer> Windows Explorer> scroll down to Network, etc, etc.
Somewhere in the middle of all this, XP had me grab a file from my install disk, and install the file. Can't remember, might have had to get it from Microsoft online.

Anyway, I'm sure there's a correct way to do it. Post down in the 'Networking Forum'. One of those ski cats will walk you through it.

 

[Halmos]

Thanks readbeard and bub. I will try installing the netbeui protocol and will let you know the results. I just can't figure out whats happening. I have tried so many things.