netBEUI + Wireless + Wired network ... yeah, right

[BustaRomeo]

Excuse my lack of knowledge when it comes to networks, but that's why we're here, right? Anyway, here's the problem. This is what I picked up, but isn't the 100% truth, due to lack of knowledge.

My dad's running a wired network which uses netBEUI, and we've now got three computers (two new) using XP. Problem is that Windows XP has dropped support for netBEUI. What we're trying to do is get Windows XP to run using the netBEUI protocol. Problem 2: my computer is using wireless. This computer runs it's wireless connection from the computer - access point - router which the wired computers are connected to. I know how to get netBEUI installed on this computer, but getting it to work is a whole new problem.

When I activate netBEUI here the computer locks up whenever I go into My Network Places, forcing me to restart. It doesn't display the computers on the wired network, it freezes way beforehand.

What must I do?! I need netBEUI to work so that I can see the other computers on the network, and still have an internet connection, whilst using a wireless connected to the same router.

I hope I make sense, please ask all the relevant questions you need.

[pzs22]

I was trying to look this up on the wb and having no luck. Just out of my own curiosity, why is your dad using netBEUI and not tcp/ip. Does he have multiple IP's and wants to share or computers on the outside of a firewall or something of that nature?

[BustaRomeo]

I'm not sure really. We do have many IP addresses (we run a business from home), and some of the computers are using Windows 95 and NT, and netBEUI works best with these (apparently). Also it's a bit more secure than TCP/IP.

[ktkendall]

You can get netbeui onto those XP PC's using the XP cdrom. Here is the directory you will find it in:
D:\VALUEADD\MSFT\NET\NETBEUI
When U go to network properties then install a protocol, click have disk, then point the installer to the netnbf.inf file located in the directory above and it should install from there...

[BustaRomeo]

Thanks for the tip ktkendall, before this I skipped the "install" bit, and just selected it from the list and said OK. Now the computer doesn't freeze when I go into My Network Connections, but only the mshome network shows up, not the wired network (called workgroup). It used to, but not anymore. Still have my internet connection, but still can't see the other computers. Any other ideas?

[ktkendall]

With winXP you have to turn off the firewall, found by going to view my network connections, then right clicking your active local area network connection, then the advanced tab of that little window. It's that little box that is probably checked that says something like protect my computer from outside users from the internet..Uncheck and apply that. I just had to do that last night to get some files over from my wife's laptop to the Desktop..It doesn't make sense but as I thought about it I guess with it checked it blocks all outside access to the PC, and really it probably can not actually tell if the access is coming from the internet or not so it must just block all outside access to the PC..

[BustaRomeo]

I restarted the computer and now the computer's on the network show up (all of them), but now my computer is freezing either when I go into My Network Places or if I don't do anything at all for more than 2 minutes! ARGH!!! Please help!

[BustaRomeo]

I restarted the computer in safe mode (with networking), and the computer works fine, and I can go into network places, but can't access the other computers. Is there a driver conflict or something going on?

[ktkendall]

Have you done and do you know how to scan for virus and spyware??

[BustaRomeo]

Have scanned for spyware, no results, but don't even have an anti-virus program on my computer. Would that help get it working if I did get one?

[BustaRomeo]

OK, have made large progress. I must've restarted my computer yesterday over 50 times (not kidding), and my computer was taking strain. I left it overnight, fired it up this morning, and I can see the other computers on the network, without my computer freezing, and I can access their files. One last problem (I hope). The other computers can't see me, but I can see them.

[ktkendall]

It would only help if you have a virus and would help prevent you from aquiring a new one.. Is yours the XP PC? If so and the workgroup is same name, then it could be that firewall thing..

[glc]

I have had problems running NetBEUI over wireless - I now use straight TCP/IP in spite of my preference for NetBEUI for small lans.