Cannot add NetBIOS to TCP/IP

Hi, I'm having trouble sharing files and printers on my
WLAN. At the moment I've got a desktop running 98SE and
a laptop running XP Home. These machines both connect
wirelessly to router which is connected to a cable
modem. The network itself seems to be working fine and
both machines can share the modem and get on the net, but
at the moment, they can't share files or the printer.

From what I can gather I need to turn NetBIOS on, on both
machines for this to work however the 98SE machine won't
let me. When I go into the network settings and try to
add it, I can see the option there to click, however its
greyed out and does nothing when I click it. I tried
finding and solution in the knowledge base but the best
that could come up with was, 'Microsoft recognizes that
this is a problem with Windows 98.' If anyone has any
advice that would be great.

David

On the 98SE machine NetBIOS is already turned on by default and you can't
turn it off without hacking the registry.
On the XP machine go to the WINS tab of TCP/IP to turn it on.
I think your possibly confusing NetBIOS and NetBEUI.
Bernie

"Pianomonkee" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:073201c37089$b700cfa0$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi, I'm having trouble sharing files and printers on my
> WLAN. At the moment I've got a desktop running 98SE and
> a laptop running XP Home. These machines both connect
> wirelessly to router which is connected to a cable
> modem. The network itself seems to be working fine and
> both machines can share the modem and get on the net, but
> at the moment, they can't share files or the printer.
>
> From what I can gather I need to turn NetBIOS on, on both
> machines for this to work however the 98SE machine won't
> let me. When I go into the network settings and try to
> add it, I can see the option there to click, however its
> greyed out and does nothing when I click it. I tried
> finding and solution in the knowledge base but the best
> that could come up with was, 'Microsoft recognizes that
> this is a problem with Windows 98.' If anyone has any
> advice that would be great.
>
> David

Bernie, thanks for your reply. I've already turned
NetBIOS on and I've installed NetBEUI on the XP machine.
The two machines still can't see each other. Any bright
ideas would be appreciated.

Dave

In article <073201c37089$b700cfa0$(E-Mail Removed)>, "Pianomonkee"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>Hi, I'm having trouble sharing files and printers on my
>WLAN. At the moment I've got a desktop running 98SE and
>a laptop running XP Home. These machines both connect
>wirelessly to router which is connected to a cable
>modem. The network itself seems to be working fine and
>both machines can share the modem and get on the net, but
>at the moment, they can't share files or the printer.
>
>From what I can gather I need to turn NetBIOS on, on both
>machines for this to work however the 98SE machine won't
>let me. When I go into the network settings and try to
>add it, I can see the option there to click, however its
>greyed out and does nothing when I click it. I tried
>finding and solution in the knowledge base but the best
>that could come up with was, 'Microsoft recognizes that
>this is a problem with Windows 98.' If anyone has any
>advice that would be great.
>
>David

What's the number of the Knowledge Base article, Pianomonkee?

When TCP/IP is the only installed protocol, Win98SE enables NetBIOS by
default and prevents you from disabling it. There should be a check
mark in the grayed-out box that says "I want to enable NetBIOS over
TCP/IP".

These tips should help you get everything working:

1. Permanently disable XP's built-in Internet Connection Firewall on
local area network connections -- it's for use only on a direct modem
connection to the Internet. Disable and un-install all other
firewalls while troubleshooting. Details here:

Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...c_firewall.htm

2. Use only one protocol for File and Printer Sharing. If the network
needs more than one protocol, unbind File and Printer Sharing from all
but one of them. Details here:

Windows XP Network Protocols
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/..._protocols.htm

3. Make sure that NetBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled on all computers.
Details here:

Enable NetBIOS Over TCP/IP (NetBT)
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...hoot/netbt.htm
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
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Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - Windows Networking
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm