Home netowrking....

[Maldian]

Ok, it has been awhile and I want to network my computers at home. I have my main desktop running Vista Ultimate. My kids computer running XP SP2, and my laptop running XP SP2. I am running wireless network internet for all the computers. I have DHCP set up, but think it may be easier to run just Netbui on all computers and share the drives/printers as needed. I do not need to have any firewall up in the house but want to keep the internet firewalled.

Would Netbui serve the purpose for what I am looking for?

 

[nweaver]

yes, but I don't know if you can install NetBUI on Vista

 

[Maldian]

Then what would be my best approach?

 

[Maldian]

Hmm I dont see Netbuei on my Win xp either... someone help please? I have DHCP set up and bot sure why after I shared everything that I can't see the computers on the network. The workgroup name on all are the same.

 

[nweaver]

Workgroup name is a worthless thing. Network browsing is a dark art. YOu should check sharing via UNC path (\\computer\share). I know that XP had netbui, but I don't have an XP machine handy.

 

[acole1]

Are you running DHCP on your wireless router?

Try these things if you havn't already. If one succeeds, move on to the next.


- Double check to make sure all your NIC's are on "Obtain IP address automatically"

- Do an ipconfig on all your pc's to make sure they are getting a DHCP address

- Try to ping the router/DHCP host

- Try to ping the IP address of another computer on the network

- Try to ping the name of another computer on the network

- open run (or hit start in vista) and type \\%ipaddress%
e.g. \\192.168.123.123

- do same as above but \\%computername%
e.g. \\bobscomputer


Try these and let us know what fails.

Hope it helps some!

 

[acole1]

Originally posted by: nweaver
Workgroup name is a worthless thing. Network browsing is a dark art. YOu should check sharing via UNC path (\\computer\share). I know that XP had netbui, but I don't have an XP machine handy.

The NetBEUI Protocol Is Not Available in Windows XP (KB306059)
Support for the NetBEUI network protocol has been discontinued in Windows XP. This protocol is not available to install in Windows XP. The NetBEUI protocol was developed in 1985. It is used by network operating systems such as Microsoft LAN Manager, Microsoft Windows for Workgroups, Microsoft Windows 95, and Microsoft Windows NT. The NetBEUI protocol implements the OSI LLC2 protocol, and is a non-routable protocol.

You can install NetBEUI in Windows XP, but it is an unsupported protocol. For additional information about installing NetBEUI in Windows XP, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: How to install NetBEUI on Windows XP (KB301041)

NetBEUI on Vista

3rd party source of how to put NetBEUI on XP and Vista



And yes, workgroups are worthless.

 

[JackMDS]

NetBEUI works very well with WinXP, and for a small Network it probably a good idea to use evenb if TCP/IP is working too.

http://www.ezlan.net/netbeui.html

Microsoft does Not support it! that means that if you have trouble you can not call Microsoft for Help.

However, there is Nothing to be troubled with when using NetBEUI, it is simple protocol a that does not even has setting.

As for Vista.

The NetBEUI files from WinXP can be installed in Vista. Vista indicate that the protocol is installed and available.

However, I do no think that it does anything. I.e if you unbind TCP/IP from File Sharing, you loose the Sharing even if NetBEUI is installed.

Please Note that the TCP/IP was revamp in Vista and it work better than on WinXP.

However due to enhanced security, Vista;s File sharing is less flexible than WinXP and it take time and new strategy to make the best of it.

 

[hazeman]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Microsoft does Not support it! that means that if you have trouble you can not call Microsoft for Help.

I kind of laughed when I read this line. Two things. MS doesn't offer much support for anything really as it is. And two, that fact doesn't matter much anyways, because who really calls MS tech support?



About the topic... Not too sure how well NetBEUI will work crossing VISTA and XP, but any relatively new wireless router should do the trick just fine. If file sharing is a big issue you're concerned with, the best way to work that is build or find a min Linux data box. Not exactly the solution for the "average" Joe... I say try NetBEUI if you like, but you should be fine with a decent router.

 

[JackMDS]

Most End-users buy computers with OEM Windows and thus do not qualify for free Microsoft support.

Enthusiasts that build their own computers usually do not need basic support.

Otherwise you would be surprise how many pros call Microsoft support and have a pleasant helpful experience in the process.

However bad mouthing Microsoft is kind of a culture among certain people and it is nothing to do with reality.

About the topic... It is Not clear to me what a Wireless Router or any Router has to do about Sharing protocols in a LAN.

 

[Maldian]

Originally posted by: hazeman
I kind of laughed when I read this line. Two things. MS doesn't offer much support for anything really as it is. And two, that fact doesn't matter much anyways, because who really calls MS tech support?

I laughed at this response as I don't call MS Support either.... I ask you guys

Will try the networking this weekend. I just reinstalled Vista Ultimate lastnight and will be installing Vista Ultimate on my laptop tonite. I wont put it on my kids computer in fear that they will screw it up....

 

[JackMDS]

Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network settings,http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html
As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it is allowed to be shared.

Vista File and Printer Sharing- http://www.microsoft.com/techn...evaluate/vista_fp.mspx

Basic XP - http://www.microsoft.com/techn...ntain/filesharing.mspx

Advanced XP - http://support.microsoft.com/d...x?scid=kb;en-us;304040

Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windo...t/honeycutt_july2.mspx

Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357

Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: hazeman

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Microsoft does Not support it! that means that if you have trouble you can not call Microsoft for Help.

I kind of laughed when I read this line. Two things. MS doesn't offer much support for anything really as it is. And two, that fact doesn't matter much anyways, because who really calls MS tech support?



About the topic... Not too sure how well NetBEUI will work crossing VISTA and XP, but any relatively new wireless router should do the trick just fine. If file sharing is a big issue you're concerned with, the best way to work that is build or find a min Linux data box. Not exactly the solution for the "average" Joe... I say try NetBEUI if you like, but you should be fine with a decent router.

eh....I don't think you understand.

MS Tech support is fine, I have called them before. I had some issues with an exchange server, and they walked me right through it, and then sent me some good whitepapers on what I did wrong. Their end user support may not be great, but I know they have decent enterprise level support.

NetBUI and a wireless router are 2 different things. Getting a wireless router won't fix filesharing problems, or make filesharing easier. NetBUI WILL make filesharing easier in a small network. NetBUI was very nice for specifically that very thing. I'm having trouble understanding your post, it doesn't make much sense.

 

[NuroMancer]

Originally posted by: hazeman

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Microsoft does Not support it! that means that if you have trouble you can not call Microsoft for Help.

I kind of laughed when I read this line. Two things. MS doesn't offer much support for anything really as it is. And two, that fact doesn't matter much anyways, because who really calls MS tech support?



About the topic... Not too sure how well NetBEUI will work crossing VISTA and XP, but any relatively new wireless router should do the trick just fine. If file sharing is a big issue you're concerned with, the best way to work that is build or find a min Linux data box. Not exactly the solution for the "average" Joe... I say try NetBEUI if you like, but you should be fine with a decent router.

I have to agree with Jack, I don't see how your router will have anything to do with the protcol that the two computers are using to transmit back and forth between each other.

I think you have a misconception about how routers work and what they actually do hazeman.

MS does offer support for their products, and typically it is quite good.

 

[Maldian]

I got it working... thx folks for the help. I ended up letting the router take over and everything is up and running.