My network

[Timenn]

I have a network installed here for a time. It has 3 computers. 2 166 MMX with Windows 98, and 1 1500 AMD XP. I have a HUB network of RealTek, the XP one is the host. Also the one with the internet connection and printer.

Now the problem is this:

Everything goes fine, I can print, internet and alter files of every computer from every computer. With one exception:

From one computer 166 MMX, I can't sometimes connect to the server computer (XP) via Explorer (so also all OpenDialogs) while I can still internet and print. The error I get when I try to reach it via Network (Netwerkomgeving in dutch, I don't know the translation) and then I select that computer, and it gives me the error that that machine doesn't exist on the network. While other times I can reach it

Do you have any idea?

I know I have not given all information, but maybe you can tell me what I should give

[SurlyPIG]

Is the 166 MMX computer running on windows 98 or Windows 98SE (second edition)?

[Timenn]

Both are running the standars edition of Windows 98. No second edition

[SurlyPIG]

Networking computers with different operating systems is a BIG challenge. The biggest difference between 98 and 98SE is that SE included much better networking software. It seems you've done pretty darn well on your own, but perhaps upgrading to 98SE might help.

But don't spend any money before other people have had a chance to reply.

[Timenn]

Hmm, that would be very bad of Microsoft (again)

But the thing is that I don't have trouble with that other computer with win98.

But thanks for the reply

[number6]

My first guess would be a faulty network card on the machine having the problem. When you have a bad network card it will work intermittantly like that. How is it for internet? Is it always stable? It could also be some weird windows problem on the effected machine. Have you tried rebooting the misbehaving machine when it acts up? If so does the behaviour go away? I have looked a little online and have not been able to find anyone with this specific problem, yet. I haven't really dug too deep yet.

[Gobalopper]

I suggest getting a router, makes things a lot easier.

[gryphon]

I don't think it's the combination of Win98 and XP. In some cases I have a Win98 laptop with an VPN patch [ microsoft's ] to connect to a 2K server. Both "normal" connection and VPN don't have had any probelms sofar.

Although with games XP and 2K could sometimes give the most unique errors. :)

First thing that slipped in mind was a software probelem somewhere :- But I'm to tired to think straight now. Does it always occure after a specific number of minutes using the connection ?

[Timenn]

Thanks for the replies

I doubt the network card is faulty. Internet always runs very smooth. Don't forget that ALL other network processes work correct (internet, exploring with/to other computers, printing)

It the acces problems seem to be very random. I don't have a clue what the regularity is in those problems

[number6]

Well I am at a loss at this point. Did you try rebooting the machine when you had the access problems and did the problem stay or go away?

[SurlyPIG]

I suggest getting a router, makes things a lot easier.

Ditto to that. Hubs are hell. It took me about 9 total hours to network my ME computer with an XP desktop and a Win98 lap top over a hub. It was hell. Routers are much better. They split your net for free, too. And if you have any trouble adjusting to the router you can always come here. :)

[gryphon]

Would check the local security policies of the XP one. It could be that file sharing is done by use of your user acount, which get's logged out, ignored or something like that. Internet routing is not done by user ID most of the times when you use an XP router, and printing can be done with an anonymous account or an ICS, something like that.

Could be one of those many local security policies that is wrong or just bad.

[aox0m0xoa]

are you using zone alarm on the xp computer?

[Timenn]

policies?

What is the zone alarm?

I noticed now that I can acces the server computer, while I couldn't before. And therefore I WAS able

???

[SurlyPIG]

Security policy is the settings your computer practices when dealing with other client computers on the network. I think gryphon means for you to check your printer sharing and file sharing settings.

[gryphon]

yep, sort of anyway ;)

in Win2K professional it's in start - administrative Tools - Local security Policy.

Then most of the options you need are under local policies, then user rights assignments and

security options.

Altgough as I'm typing this. . . if you havn't changed them they are probably ok .. so no need to check up on them :-

[Timenn]

I haven't changed anything of it, I think.

I can't find it in the start menu. Although I have win XP, it may look very similar to win2k in some options

[gryphon]

yep, it is very similar. :)

If you can't find it it's turned off. You can trun it on in start - settings - taskbar & star menu - the second tab, start mennu settings. Vink on the show administrator tools.

Thought the default logout session time was 15 minutes, could be 30 though. But they only apply when you would log into the XP machine. Not when you just use it on the network.

As you havn't changed any of them .. I would guess they are ok and you probbably don't have to look at them. :)

[* looks up at Number6, why is you nic number6 anyway .. . . it should be number1 ;) *]

[number6]

[* looks up at Number6, why is you nic number6 anyway .. . . it should be number1 ;) *]

Thanks for the compliment. I prefer being number6 though. ;D

[Timenn]

Hmm, gryphon, I have a dutch XP, and I think they translated those commands very very awfully, or I can't still find it. It has to be in a list of checkboxes right?

[gryphon]

euh .. . think you mean the same . .yep. Just been in 2K the Dutch version myself for the first time today. I'll look again tomorrow at school. [ can you believe they are using dutch versions of NT for Cisco classes ? :- ]

[Timenn]

Ok, I think I found what you mean. But I can't find the local security polices though