Xp Pro PC Can't See 98SE PC

[Thksnow]

I just built a new PC running Xp Pro. I have cable modem internet access, and, prior to this had two 98SE machines networked thru a switch connected to the cable modem. I have two IP addresses (not internet connection sharing), although internet access isn't the problem. Now I've connected the new Xp machine to the switch in place of the oldest 98SE machine. The problem is that the 98SE machine can see the new Xp machine, but the Xp machine can't see the 98SE machine.

I have done lots or research, ran the network setup wizard numerous times on the Xp machine, but still no luck. I have sharing set up on the C drive on the 98SE machine, and on one of the drives on the Xp pro machine. On the Xp pro machine, I have Client for MS Networking, File and Printer Sharing for MS Networks, NWLink NetBIOS, NWLink IPS/XPS/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol, NetBEUI Protocol, and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) running on the connection to the switch. On the 98SE machine, I have IPX/SPX compatible protocol, Client for MS Networks, NetBEUI, TCP/IP, and File and Printer Sharing for MS networks running on the connection to the switch.

I'm new to Xp, so maybe there is something I'm doing wrong there, but this is getting very frustrating!! Just so you know, I'm also running Zone Alarm Pro on both machines, but, to eliminate that from the list, I disconnected the Cable modem, turned off Zone Alarm on both machines, and still had the same problem.

Anyone have any ideas????

Thanks for your help....Thksnow

[glc]

Selectively disable protocols. You do not need all 3 of them running on both machines - TCP/IP by itself *should* work but it's not wise using TCP/IP for filesharing using public IP addresses. In your situation I'd leave TCP/IP and NetBEUI running, and disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP on the XP box - NetBEUI can handle that without Internet exposure. I'd also unbind file and print sharing from TCP/IP on the 98 box.

[Thksnow]

glc - Thanks for your advice. I unchecked the NWLink NetBIOS and NWLink IPS/XPS/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol on the Xp Pro machine, and nothing changed. I rebooted and nothing changed. I had already unbound File and Print Sharing from TCP/IP on the 98SE machine.

Any other ideas? Anyone??

Thksnow

[glc]

You are logging the 98 box onto MS Networking, right?

[Thksnow]

glc - Yes. I log in each time the machine boots. And the workgroup names are the same on both machines, and the machine names are different.

Thksnow

[AlwaysUp]

Have you actually set up a share off the Win98 box? In other words have you shared your C$?

OOPS I now read where you already stated this. Nevermind.......

[Thksnow]

Update!!!

Based on some other recommendations, I tried it with only the following on both the 98SE and Xp Pro machines:
Client for MS Networks
NetBEUI
TCP/IP
File and Print Sharing for MS Networks

Unfortunately, with this arrangement, both machines couldn't see the other (i.e., worse than before). I guess I do need to have NetBIOS on both machines. Therefore, I went back to the following setup:

Xp Pro machine:
Client for MS Networks
NetBEUI
TCP/IP
File and Print Sharing for MS Networks
NWLink NetBIOS
NWLink IPS/SPX NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol


98SE Machine:
Client for MS Networks
NetBEUI
TCP/IP
File and Print Sharing for MS Networks
IPX/SPX compatible protocol

I then had the same problem as before until I did one thing different: On the 98SE machine, under the properties for the IPX/SPX Compatible Protocol, there is a NetBIOS tab, and a checkbox for "I want to enable NetBIOS over IPX/SPX". It was unchecked before, and I checked it, rebooted, and VOILA!!, both machines can now see each other!!! I don't know if this means I don't need NetBEUI, or is it still serving a purpose, even with the NetBIOS protocols??

The only thing I notice now that seems odd is that when I double click to see the 98SE PC's shared drives from the XP Pro machine, it takes around 15 seconds before the list comes up. I don't know if this would be considered normal, but it just seems slower than what I remember with my previous two 98SE machines.

Regardless, I'm happy to have these two machines finally talking! I hope my experience may prevent some of you from experiencing the frustration that I went thru.

Thksnow

[rcvalencia9]

identify your IP address in your xp machine then search for the ip add in search computers option in the win 98 SE machine. Just try it. it might help.

[glc]

You can get rid of NetBEUI now. The IPX is handling the NetBIOS.