Connecting Windows XP to Win98

[Colonel Sanders]

I'm trying to transfer files from a Windows 98 PC to a PC with Windows XP Home. The two PCs can ping each other, and there is about a 25% loss on the pings. I assume this is not normal?

Both PCs have their hard-drives shared, but refuse to see each other. Where should I start trying to solve this problem? Does it seem like it most likely an issue with the connection between the two PCs or something else? The cable connecting the two has been replaced, same for the switch on one end.

L J

[EzyStvy]

Are they members of the same workgroup?

[glc]

25% ping loss is not normal. You have a cable, switch, NIC, or TCP/IP problem somewhere. You can try installing NetBEUI as a workaround to get the files transferred.

[Colonel Sanders]

Update on the situation- The windows 98 PC is getting 100% of it's pings to the Windows XP PC, and can ping the Windows XP PC by name. It appears there is likely something wrong with the WinXP PC, any ideas?

L J

[Bill Lane]

Hi Colonel Sanders:

I'm not an expert, but it seems to me that the easiest way to transfer files is with a USB Link like the sell here ... http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...DIRECT&cat=CBL

I transfer files back and forth from Win98 to WinP Pro all the time without any problems.

You might check it out, and there are better units out there that are USB 2.0 complaint.

Hope that helps,

Bill Lane

[GaryRouth]

You can take a look and see if NetBEUI is installed in the Windows 98 computer (in the Network app in Control Panel). If it is, like glc mentioned, you'll want to try installing NetBEUI on the XP box also. [It's not installed by default - I don't have the installation notes handy, but a quick Google should do it - NetBEUI is on the XP CD]. The computer names seen by Windows 98 shouldn't exceed 15 characters, and can't have spaces.

When you can finally see the XP machine in Network Neighborhood on the Win98 box, you'll probably be ready to go. Of course, you'll have to set the passwords and permissions to match, too.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

[P.S. Hi Bill - some folks here in my neighborhood are using a version of the old "floppy sneaker net" - Remember those? That's when we'd put a file on a floppy and carry it to the computer we wanted to transfer it to. Some of my neighbors are too frustrated by having to set up the cabling (or to configure security for wireless), and are just using high-capacity USB keys (aka pen-drives) to transfer small & medium sized tasks (files under 1gb) by walking them around "sneaker net" style. I wonder how high the capacity of the tiny USB pen-drives will go - it's amazing how capable they've grown in a short time.]

[Colonel Sanders]

Unfortunately, I'm familiar with sneaker net, and the files in question would take too many floppies, and more than a couple CDs. However, if necessary, sneaker net and some CDs might just get put into action. Will look into Net BEUI.

L J

[Colonel Sanders]

Net BEUI is on both PCs, no luck.

L J

[Bill Lane]

Hi Gary:

Yes I remember the hassle I went through trying to move/copy files using floppies, but when I found this USB Link I couldn't believe how easy the set-up was, and how easy it is to move/copy files.

Here's the unit that I'm using, and I love it, can't live without it !!

http://home.earthlink.net/~billlane28/bafo-1-1.jpg

But like I said they are available now in USB 2.0.

I may try one of those USB pen-drives in the future.

Take care,

Bill Lane

[GaryRouth]

Bill - I like the price for that gizmo - seems like it'd be perfect for transferring files to visiting laptops, too. 12 bucks - a bargain!

Colonel - see if there's any detail in this MSKB article that we haven't checked yet. The article was originally written for Win2000, but the details apply to WinXP as well. Certainly check the part about how much the user accounts have to match up. Seems like if you have matching protocols installed already, and they are properly bound to their adapters, that's the next thing to look at. http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;258717

I networked Win2000, WinXP, and Win98 here at the house a while back: and I remember it was a bit of a headache at times. Once it's all set up it's not bad.

. . . Gary

[p.s. ... a fellow member here on the forum last week had a similiar problem with one of his WinMe computers & networking with XP boxes. It turned out that there was a networking file update for WinMe that helped solve his problem. If the Win98 boxes haven't been to Windows Update lately, I suppose it couldn't hurt to see if there's a similiar patch for Win98]