New network No work?

[Terrorbyte]

Tried setting up a network between my XP-1600 running W/XP, and my P3-1gh running 98se.
The cards were Belkin 10/100BT Ethernet PCI cards.
The xp sys seemed to not have as many problems with the software and setup but the 98 sys was only interested in a serial or parralel connection and was not interested in doing much with the card that it had installed with no real dramas.
As I have to admitt to being a network beginner, any help would be good, as of now I got the ****s with it all that much I put the cards back in their boxes and was going to take them back.
unfortunately patience is not available today, she may come back tomorrow.
Will the two different operating systems get along with each other or am I simply lost in the software or card setup, or both.
Confused .

[melloman]

Questions:
Drivers OK in device manager?

Through a hub or crossover cable?
If through a hub, is one using the uplink port?
can you get a response at a dos prompt when you type ping 127.0.0.1 on both machines?

Both have a common workgroup, unique computer name?
Both have the same protocols loaded?
Unique IP's?
Subnet Mask the same?
tried NetBEUI?

[Terrorbyte]

All cards are installed accepted, and drivers have no problems or conflicts with either system.
Direct from card to card via crossover cable.
Same workgroup.
All IP adresses as per the book, with the exception of the xp setup, I had been told the xp would set it up automatically once the 98 machine was up and running and connected, this may have been a lot of crap ?
All protocols file sharing, etc etc and IP adresses in the 98 machine are ok, the xp machine with its much different software setup is perhaps the problem.
I did try again, the best I got was the xp system telling me there was a connection at 100bps but there was a problem ? when I asked the xp to repair it, all I get is a message saying that it could not fix the problem-contact your network administrator, me I guess ? so back to square 1.
I have an idea that the xp machine and the IP adress is not correct, it is somewhat vague as to how I should change it, NOTE: I dont want to stuff up the settings there for my modem connection that works fine.
I have got closer to the solution, the xp softare (or how to set it up) is the problem from what Ican see
Asfar as setting it up by the book exactly, this is not a worry for the 98se machine, thats easy, as I say I am still learning xp as I go, and I am still to have used a network ever before.
I did find someone that recons its easy and for $50AUD it can be done in an hour or so, not wishing to stuff it up I may take up the offer.

[melloman]

You should be able to start by having NetBEUI protocol, client for MS networks, and file and printer sharing for MS networks. Both should be in the same workgroup, witrh different computer names. this is the simplest setup possible. Once this works, you can elaborate on it. No hub, eh? Just a crossover cable. Store bought? I have made some crossover cables, and they still don't work as well for me, as a hub.

Probably XP has TCP/Ip as the default protocol. Make NetBEUI the default. that may help. Do it on bothh machines. Both the XP and the 98 machine need it set that way. If NetBEUI doewsn't work, it's probably hardware or drivers (nic)