NETBeui Trashed 98SE!!!

[Steve-O]

HELP! I read someone's post about not being able to see computers on a 2 computer LAN. The response suggested installing NETBeui in the XP and the 98SE computers and even gave instructions for installing on the XP. I followed the instructions and the XP computer has no change, that is, I can still see the other computer, access shared folders, etc. But the 98SE computer is a mess now. I can still surf and get E-mail through the router on the 98SE, but when I double click Network Neighborhood on the desktop, I get a blank window with a flashlight searching for something. It sits there searching for a long time and nothing ever happens. If I reboot and go to Windows Explorer and try to open the Network Neighborhood from there, same thing happens. Now I can't access my Network properties at all to uninstall NETBeui, if that's even advised. Oh yes, I can also ping both computers with no loss. What can I do now to regain control??? Any help would be much appreciated.

[Dakota]

First off, NetBEUI did not trash your 98. Something got corrupted along the lines somewhere is all. I have never had this problem myself, but you might be able to repair it by booting into safe mode, or you might have to reinstall 98 to get it to repair the Network Neighborhood and then reinstall protocols, etc to get things going again.

[Steve-O]

OK Silver, so what priority would you order the events you listed into? I hate to reinstall 98 again, but will if necessary. If I get Net Neighborhood to work in safe mode, what does it mean and what should I do from that point? Thanks for your advice, I'm still new at this networking stuff. Later.

[Dakota]

Safe mode first. If you have to reinstall, just reinstall over your current install. It won't erase anything and if something's broke, many times it will automatically fix it for ya. I don't mean re-format and reinstall, just reinstall.

Now, a question: You cannot right click on Network Neighborhood and select properties? What does it do/not do?

[Steve-O]

SilverD, I just tried it on the other machine (98SE) and a right click choosing Properties gets me in just fine. I can see that NETBeui is "bound" (correct terminology???) to the dialup adapter in one line and the Linksys LNE 100 on the other line. Is that info significant?

[Dakota]

Ahhh! Cool. Yes, and make sure ir is bound to file and print sharing and MS networks. Also make sure that TCP/IP is not bound to file and print sharing or MS networks.

Then after you reboot, select a drive/folder to share. You have to specifically tell each computer what to share. They will not automatically share everything.

[Dakota]

Then open my network places on the XP machine and you should see your drive shares.

[Steve-O]

SilverD, I may be confusing myself about this "binding" term. When I look at the list box for Network Adapters, Services, or Protocols, I see NETBeui and a symbol like "==>" then my Linksys Network Adapter. Same thing for the Dialup Adapter. OK, if I click a particular Protocol like NETBeui, then I go to a window with tabs, six if I remember right, and one of them is named "Binding". Is this where I check/uncheck the stuff you mentioned? Sorry for the nitpicking questions, I just want to be sure before I dive in. Thanks.

[Dakota]

Yes. That's where you check/uncheck all that stuff, but don't mess with the other things, just the bindings.

[Steve-O]

Eureka!! Success!! Thanks, man. Everything that is marked as Shared on either computer is visible from BOTH computers. I opened Net Neighborhood by double clicking and it took a moment, but opened the window with my wife's computer and my Alienware. I double clicked a shared folder on my computer from hers and it opened. Thanks mucho grande for the help. I'm sure I'll be back with more newbie troubles before long, but your assistance is most appreciated. Later on.

[Dakota]

Success!!! Awesome. You'll be back when ya wanna share a printer...It's a little different than just a drive.

Anywho...Good to hear ya got it working and you're very welcome! :D :D