amazing win2k hassles....

[abrogard]

I've got a win2k laptop and a win2k machine and a win98 machine and they would all connect happily with the internet via my ADSL connection - one at a time, of course.
The win98 and the win2k laptop would also talk to each quite happily via a crossover cable between them.

Then I bought a switch and put it in. Hooked them all up. My connection is only 128/512.

Now the win98 machine still connects happily as ever.
But the win2k machines often can't load a page - 'could not locate remote server' and suchlike error messages. Even when it appears to be working well, like tonight, it'll still inexplicably and apparently randomly drop pages. Like I had to have about four efforts at logging in here.

And the win2k machine can see the win98 machine on the little tiny LAN here but when I click on the win98 machine's icon the win2k system reports that it can't show me anything because '...a specified authentication package is unknown...', which must be one of the most cryptic error messages ever seen.

The win98 can't even see the win2k any more.

It was all so strange I suspected a virus but I've loaded AVG and updated to the very latest and it reports nothing doing.

Anyone got any clues?

regards,

ab

[Mactron]

Now the win98 machine still connects happily as ever.

So in this configuration what are the up/download speeds of the 98 machine ? Also what is it's IP address ? What is your "advertised" speed from your ISP and who are they ? The full and COMPLETE make and model number of your ADSL modem would be helpful.