Another 2 Computer Network Question

[Preston]

I have a desktop (Win 98se) with a network card, one laptop with PCMCIA net card (Win 98), and another laptop with a built in NIC (Windows 2000 Professional).

When I connect the Win 2000 laptop to the desktop (just using a patch cable-no hub) I am able to "see" both computers in the netork neighborhood on both computers and I am able to access the laptop files from the desktop and the desktop from the laptop (which is what I want to do).

The problem is with the laptop running Win 98SE. When I connect this Laptop to my desktop (also connecting them directly with a patch cable), I am able to see the desktop in both computer's network neighborhoods, but not the laptop. I can access the desktop's files from the laptop, but I cannot access the laptop's files from the desktop. From the desktop's perspective, it's like the laptop isn't even there. From the laptop's perspective, the desktop is there.

I do have file sharing enabled on both computers. I am not trying to connect all three computers together, just one laptop to the desktop at a time.

Thanks in advance!

Preston

[corosus]

can you seen the win98 laptop from the win 98 laptop
and have you tried to network the 2 laptops togeter, that might give you some insight as to wther the laptop is the problem or the desktop.
please look over the protocols, do all the computers have the same protocols installed?? and check the tcp/ip settings, does anny of the computers have a subnet mask installed??

[Preston]

Both computers (the 'problem laptop' and the desktop) have the same protocols installed. Both net adapters are using TCP/IP.

Here is a rundown of the TCP/IP Settings.

IP address:
I have tried both Obtain address automatically, and specifying
an address for each computer. When I specify an address, the
subnet mask is the same for both computers (255.255.255.0).
I get the same result with either the automatic or specifying
address (with the obtain automatically option it takes a little
for the laptop to see the desktop).

Wins Config:
Wins resolution disabled is the only option selected.

Gateway: None

DNS Config: Disable DNS

Bindings: (all 3 selected)
Client for Microsoft Networks
File and Print Sharing
Microsoft Family Logon

Advanced: 'None' in the property box and set this protocol
box is unchecked.

Finally the NetBios tab: option is greyed out.

As far as being abe to see the laptop from the laptop. It will not show up in the Net Neighborhood, but I can find it by searching for it using the 'find computer' (on the laptop). When I try to 'find computer' (the laptop) from the desktop the laptop cannot be found.

Some other settings:
The workgroup is the same for both computers.
The Computers have a different names.
Access control is 'share level access control'.
File and Print sharing is enabled for both computers.

I have not tried to connect to the two laptops together yet (wife has it at work).

Preston

[Preston]

This thread is a little old, but if anyone is interested, I finally got the Desktop (98SE) to see the laptop (98). I was only using TCP/IP, once I added NETBEUI to both it worked like a charm. I guess the two didn't like TCP/IP to talk...

Preston

[glc]

Thanks for reporting back!

You have just proved my theory - sometimes "new' is NOT better! NetBEUI works just fine on small (less than 10 machines) networks, and it's simple - you install it and it just works with no configuration.