Windows XP and Windows 98SE Networking

I have a machine running XP and a Laptop (wireless) running 98SE. I can get
them to ping each other but I can't get my Laptop to print to the shared
printer on the XP machine. When I go into the Network Neighborhood on th
eLaptop it does not see any Network. I tried adding a network printer to the
Laptop but when I try to add a path it says it can't find the network. I've
checked the Workgroup name, etc..Any suggestions?
--
mar

Mario wrote:

> I have a machine running XP and a Laptop (wireless) running 98SE. I
> can get them to ping each other but I can't get my Laptop to print to
> the shared
> printer on the XP machine. When I go into the Network Neighborhood on
> th
> eLaptop it does not see any Network. I tried adding a network printer
> to the
> Laptop but when I try to add a path it says it can't find the network.
> I've checked the Workgroup name, etc..Any suggestions?

There is no problem networking a Win9x box and an XP box. You didn't say
what version of XP you have (Home, Pro) or the service pack level. I'm
going to assume SP2.

This is most commonly caused by a misconfigured firewall. Run the
Network Setup Wizard on both computers (see below for details), making
sure to enable File & Printer Sharing, and reboot. The only "gotcha" is
that this will turn on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't
running a third-party firewall or have an antivirus with "Internet Worm
Protection" (like Norton 2005/06) which acts as a firewall, then you're
fine. If you have third-party firewall software, configure it to allow
the Local Area Network traffic as trusted. I usually do this with my
firewalls with an IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254.
Obviously you would substitute your correct subnet.

Then create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users'
home directories (My Documents) or Program Files, but you can share
folders inside those directories. A better choice is to simply use the
Shared Documents folder.

Per MVP Steve Winograd - To run XP's network wizard on Win98:

Transfer this file, which contains the Wizard, from WIN XP to Windows98
and run it on 98. You can E-mail it, burn it to a CD, etc:

C:\Windows\System32\Netsetup.exe

To set up Windows 98 manually, without using the Wizard, go to Control
Panel>Network and:

1. Add these network components if they aren't already present:

TCP/IP protocol
Client for Microsoft Networks
File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks

2. Remove these network components if they're present:

IPX/SPX protocol
NetBEUI protocol
Client for NetWare networks

Right-click and share any desired disks, folders, and printers.

Since Win98 doesn't have a built-in firewall and I'm sure you are
running a firewall (!), remember to configure it to allow the lan
traffic as trusted here too.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

I have XP Home edition. Checked my firewalls and it doesn't seem they're
blocking anything. Also tried your suggestions but my laptop still can't
print to the printer on the XP machine and still can't see the network. I
think this is something simple that I'm overlooking. I can't figure ou why my
laptop doesn't see the network....once I figure that out I think it will work.
--
mar


"Malke" wrote:

> Mario wrote:
>
> > I have a machine running XP and a Laptop (wireless) running 98SE. I
> > can get them to ping each other but I can't get my Laptop to print to
> > the shared
> > printer on the XP machine. When I go into the Network Neighborhood on
> > th
> > eLaptop it does not see any Network. I tried adding a network printer
> > to the
> > Laptop but when I try to add a path it says it can't find the network.
> > I've checked the Workgroup name, etc..Any suggestions?
>
> There is no problem networking a Win9x box and an XP box. You didn't say
> what version of XP you have (Home, Pro) or the service pack level. I'm
> going to assume SP2.
>
> This is most commonly caused by a misconfigured firewall. Run the
> Network Setup Wizard on both computers (see below for details), making
> sure to enable File & Printer Sharing, and reboot. The only "gotcha" is
> that this will turn on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't
> running a third-party firewall or have an antivirus with "Internet Worm
> Protection" (like Norton 2005/06) which acts as a firewall, then you're
> fine. If you have third-party firewall software, configure it to allow
> the Local Area Network traffic as trusted. I usually do this with my
> firewalls with an IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254.
> Obviously you would substitute your correct subnet.
>
> Then create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users'
> home directories (My Documents) or Program Files, but you can share
> folders inside those directories. A better choice is to simply use the
> Shared Documents folder.
>
> Per MVP Steve Winograd - To run XP's network wizard on Win98:
>
> Transfer this file, which contains the Wizard, from WIN XP to Windows98
> and run it on 98. You can E-mail it, burn it to a CD, etc:
>
> C:\Windows\System32\Netsetup.exe
>
> To set up Windows 98 manually, without using the Wizard, go to Control
> Panel>Network and:
>
> 1. Add these network components if they aren't already present:
>
> TCP/IP protocol
> Client for Microsoft Networks
> File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks
>
> 2. Remove these network components if they're present:
>
> IPX/SPX protocol
> NetBEUI protocol
> Client for NetWare networks
>
> Right-click and share any desired disks, folders, and printers.
>
> Since Win98 doesn't have a built-in firewall and I'm sure you are
> running a firewall (!), remember to configure it to allow the lan
> traffic as trusted here too.
>
> Malke
> --
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> "Don't Panic!"
> MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
>

Mario wrote:

> I have XP Home edition. Checked my firewalls and it doesn't seem
> they're
> blocking anything. Also tried your suggestions but my laptop still
> can't
> print to the printer on the XP machine and still can't see the
> network. I think this is something simple that I'm overlooking. I
> can't figure ou why my laptop doesn't see the network....once I figure
> that out I think it will work.

Does the Windows 98 machine have a user "profile" and password? If not,
assign these. Don't use passwords that are longer than 8 characters on
computers with a Win9x box on the network. Don't name the printer share
anything longer than 8 characters. Don't use spaces in names or
passwords. Make identical user accounts/passwords on both machines.

Have you tried Mr. Michna's network troubleshooter? It really is quite
useful. Here is the link again:
http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User