networking winXP & 98 on shared internet...

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i have 2 comps sharing an internet connection (using a hub) running winXP and 98SE. i am fed up with my inability to network these two, i have tried everything i know (and a local tecnician/friend failed at this too) yet nothing happens. i have DHCP on both, as well as internet access, etc. I have tried typing in the computer's name manually (like you can do on normal LANs) with no result. They were networked perfectly BEFORE i got stuck with attbi (right now is the best buck/bang service around here...). i am more than glad to give out any info regarding my current setup & computer specs... i really need help

so far, i have done/tried this:
-same workgroup
-names given by cable co.
-file sharing, etc, enabled
-i've tried using IPX & netBEUI, no difference
-direct connection without internet
-tried several recommendations, ranging from using the internet setup wizard on XP to creat a "special" disk to network both PCs, to doing everything in my A+ certification book (you know, the one u read to become certified...). nothing happens.

i have also heard that networking the computers by using one as a server is a good idea, but I head off to LANs rather often (using my better computer) and play games online a lot (which leaves me "iffy" by using my slower machine, running XP, as server). right now i cannot afford a 3rd machine (no job + i'm 18, no savings yet ) so I hace discarded this suggestion.

oh yeah, and before i forget. This computer that i'm using now, the faster one with win98SE, works like a charm in LANs - no trouble at all networking.

any help is greatly appreciated, specially if it leaves my network wroking. thnx for your time, and happy new year.

[MosDef112]

More details would be appreciated:

- Workgroup name on both machines
- Computer names used on both machines
- Are you connecting these machines to a regular LAN port on your hub, and are using straight through cables?
- Are you using Ethernet cards on these machines, and not token ring adapters? What is the model on the network adapters used?
- How are you sharing your Internet connection? Do you have two NIC's on one machine, one connected to your modem, the other to your hub? Or are you connecting both machines and the modem to the hub?
- If using NetBEUI, are you sure that it's binded to your network adapter on both machines?

If you checked through all of these to no avail, then your problem may be a bit paradoxical. Let us know.

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- How are you sharing your Internet connection? Do you have two NIC's on one machine, one connected to your modem, the other to your hub? Or are you connecting both machines and the modem to the hub?
- If using NetBEUI, are you sure that it's binded to your network adapter on both machines?

If you checked through all of these to no avail, then your problem may be a bit paradoxical. Let us know.

-workgroup name is @home, but i have tested several others (same name, same time with several reboots on both comps) with no change.
- computer names are c228886-c and c228886-d, both issued by @home and supported by ATTBI.
-the machines go to a hub which is connected to the internet. i have a Realtek RTL8139/810X Family PCY Fast Ethernet NIC on the win98 machine, and a SMC Etherpower II 10/100 Ethernet Adapter issued by the cable co.
-I share it by connecting both computers to a 10/100 4-port hub with an uplink (used for the connection to the modem). Icould put another NIC into a comp if needed.
-I removed NetBEUI (even though it was binded to my network adapter) and IPX because mIRC kept banning me for 15 mins... something about open ports.

anything else? sorry i took so long to answer... long day :\

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bumping this up to the top...

[Dakota]

You'll save yourself a ton of configuration grief by investing in a router. Now before you say ARRGGGHGHHH!! But, it worked before, let me ask this:

Can you ping each machine? Does either machine have Net access? I had a problem recently with my XP/ME setup and I had to completely disconnect the ME machine from the LAN and then remove the NIC via hardware removal in the Device Mangler, and then remove the NIC. Rebooted the machine with no NIC, and then shut down, reinstalled NIC and all drivers. Installed NetBEUI, TCP/IP and filesharing stuff and Voila! Machines talked and all was well. Make sure NetBEUI is also installed on the XP machine.

[MosDef112]

*** To bump ***

Thanks for the details. Though I can't confirm this, but I was under the impression that ATTBI no longer distributed more than one single IP address to subscribers per account, and they no longer use the domain name to authenticate your account to the network, but rather MAC address authentication. It doesn't hurt to try the following though:

Download NAT software. A good piece of NAT software to try is WinRoute Pro. Install a second NIC on your PC, attach it to your hub. Disconnect your cable modem from your hub, and connect it to the first NIC on your PC. Share the Internet connection that way. Assign a private IP network to your private LAN segment, something like 192.168.0.0. Make sure the second PC attached to your hub has an IP within this subnet, and that it's default gateway points to the PC with the two NIC's in it. Not only should this allow you to network them, but it should also let you share your Internet connection. mIRC sometimes is reluctant to allow anyone to connect to their network with additional protocols installed. It can in fact open up holes that you never knew could be exploited. Good luck.

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happy new year

to Dakota:
i'll try that.. pinging, then if nothing happens i'll 'play around' with NICs. and yes, they both have internet... thats how i beat my sister in serious sam every time fun game

MosDef112:
thats my worts case scenario... i use this machine, the one i would use with 2 NICs, for LANs - which would leave me reconfiguring the other one every time i go... unless there's some setting i've overlooked/misunderstood in XP...
also, will the performance of the 2nd machine's internet be directly influenced by this one? and if so, what kind of factors - intesive CPU usage (games, seti & clones, ripping "stuff"), low RAM availability, or anything else (aside from hvy internet usage on this one...)?

and last, but not least, i am paying for 2 IPs, or so says my contract & bill (as well as the modem rental, my mistake). plz correct me if i'm wrong, but i figure that if i didn't have the 2nd IP i wouldn't be able to connect my 2nd computer while using DHCP to obtain an IP.

[MosDef112]

Just a thought. You mentioned you're paying for two IP's with ATTBI. Although this will let you get both of your machines online simultaneously without having to install a router in place, this will also disable the ability to network your machines. Most cable modem ISP's have blocked incoming ports 138 and 139, or NetBIOS. In order for machines to be able to see each other on a network, this protocol must be enabled, regardless whether you have TCP/IP, NetBEUI or any other network protocol installed. Microsoft uses NetBIOS for the file and printer service, and uses the protocols as it's service transport. It is very likely that this is the reason why you can't get your machines to see each other even though they literally sit next to each other on the same hub.

which would leave me reconfiguring the other one every time i go... unless there's some setting i've overlooked/misunderstood in XP...

I don't follow you on this one. Are you talking about a laptop?

also, will the performance of the 2nd machine's internet be directly influenced by this one?

The second machine would connect to the first one for Internet connectivity, which WinRoute handles inconspicuously in the background, with very little effect on CPU usage on your first machine. As long as your first machine has a CPU of at least 300MHz or better, you should experience no lag or heavy CPU usage.

plz correct me if i'm wrong, but i figure that if i didn't have the 2nd IP i wouldn't be able to connect my 2nd computer while using DHCP to obtain an IP.

You obtain a dynamic IP from ATTBI via DHCP. Once you cancel that out of your contract, your machine will no longer get an IP address from your cable modem, but rather from your first machine, when you enable the DHCP server function built in with WinRoute. Very easy to setup, I can show you print screens if you want.

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hmmm... so your saying that ATTBI is screweing me over? bah... :\ thats odd though, @home allowed me to network both computers w/o trouble.

which would leave me reconfiguring the other one every time i go... unless there's some setting i've overlooked/misunderstood in XP...

i was referring to when i take this computer to LANs, the one which would have 2 NICs, that i would have to reconfigure my other computer that has XP on it so my family can use it without trouble. sorry bout the confusion.

i'm not too worried about WinRoute's CPU usage, but more about the effects of my using this computer, with 2 NICs, to its full potential: 100% of its processor power (at least thats what several "system meters" tell me i do rather often) and dive into my swap file. will that affect browsing on the other one?

well, i guess that if ATTBI is blocking those ports, then i'll go with the 2 NIC idea. I'm confident i'll be able to handle this... at least till i get around to configuring software. Thnx for all your help though.

[illestdynasty]

Originally posted by SilverDakota
You'll save yourself a ton of configuration grief by investing in a router. Now before you say ARRGGGHGHHH!! But, it worked before, let me ask this:

Can you ping each machine? Does either machine have Net access? I had a problem recently with my XP/ME setup and I had to completely disconnect the ME machine from the LAN and then remove the NIC via hardware removal in the Device Mangler, and then remove the NIC. Rebooted the machine with no NIC, and then shut down, reinstalled NIC and all drivers. Installed NetBEUI, TCP/IP and filesharing stuff and Voila! Machines talked and all was well. Make sure NetBEUI is also installed on the XP machine.

I second what SilverDakota sayz...... get a router.... saves a TON of grief......

[MosDef112]

*** To bump ***

Adding a second NIC to your PC is the equivalent of adding say, a second PCI modem to your computer. It will take up an IRQ, and it will take up some resources compared to one NIC. This shouldn't, however, affect any of the bandwidth that goes to the second PC.

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ok, thnx

i'll have to start this weekend, back to skewl tomorrow (in fact, my parents are complaining right now... saying i should be in bed). i'll make sure i let you know (a.k.a. spam) the results

[MosDef112]

I remember the days when I had to make pretend I was in bed early to get to school the next day. I hope it works out well for you. I'll keep an eye for updates. Take care

[hoov]

I think that MosDef112 has the right answer. But also an additional thought is that doesn't XP have the built in firewall? You may need to disable that builtin firewall for your 2 pc's to be able to communicate.

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i've already tried that, no difference

i'll definitely try it this weekend after they pull my wisdom teeth out... hopefully the pain won't stop me.

[MosDef112]

Ugh! Good luck buddy. I almost got mine pulled out, but weaseled out of it and simply got the cavities filled in. Let us know how you make out.

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will do

i tried to get the date to coincide with fanals... bah my mom wouldn't lemme.. :evil:

[MosDef112]

I hear ya. Don't you love when they almost never let you do what you want.

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lol... yep.
examples:
-no Xbox on big TV, must use crappy one downstairs in basement
-use small monitor for LANs... so i have to switch monitors around
-slow down, you're driving to fast (5 below speed limit)

*sigh*

[MosDef112]

LOL.. Yep.. Sounds like my mother too. Gotta love 'em, and those homemade dinners.