Computers Don't See Each Other

Question

I'm having difficulty trying to set up a simple peer peer network between my new Dell 8300 running XP pro and an older Windows 98se computer.  I have a crossover cable connected to both of the computers through their respective network ports.  I ran the XP network setup program, made a floppy disk, and ran the setup program in the 98se machine.  I enabled file sharing in the 98se machine.  I turned off the firewall in XP.  Both computers, when they aren't connected to each other, can independently access the internet through a cable modem.  When I go into network neighborhood or network places, only the machine that I'm currently on is listed.    I am running the firewall program Zonealarm on both machines.  Zonealrm can display the IP address of any remote computer that is trying gain access to your machine.  I got the IP addresses for both my machines using the ipconfig command at each computer's command prompt.  I'm unable to ping any one of the computers from the other computer and Zonealrm is not even notifying me from the 'pinged' computer that a ping has taken place.  I'm thinking maybe the network cards are not compatible with each other?  I don't know.  Should the subnet masks be the same on both machines? I'm not sure what to try next. Thanks for the help.

jmwills · Answer

I would suggest manually setting up the networks on each client machine which is very simple to do. The wizards usually create some probelmes if you do not answer each question eaxctly correct.

Good thing to disable the XP Firewall, now make sure you have NETBIOS over TCP/IP enabled under WINS (Advanced TCP/IP Properties). Each machine should be getting a dynamic address from the router and that should do the trick.

Check this site for some good basics:

www.homenethelp.com

http://service.dell.com/dell/topic/1,,33732+30+26124,00.html

One other thing, if you still have problems, try disbaling ZA and see if you connect, if you can connect then, the problem is within ZA which usually means the clinets are not within the Trusted Zone.

Message Edited by jmwills on 04-05-2004 02:01 PM

singalling · Answer

Thanks for the advice!

Do I need a dynamic address? Right now, I don' thave a router bridging the computers. The computers are connected directly by the crossover cable. Should I get a router? What about a hub? Eventually, I'll want both computers to have access to the internet through my cable modem.

jmwills · Answer

The ideal solution would be a router (integrated switch) sitting behind the modem with each machine connected to the router.  This connection would be made via a regular, not crossover, cable.  The router would issue dynamic addresses to each client.

Gokstad · Answer

Just for your info, I had the same problem, after disabling ZA I could see everything. Then I enable ZA and added the IP addresses as trusted and all is well

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

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