Networking with XP pro/98SE?!?!

[ithaca00]

I just built a new computer running XP Pro and I can't
access files on another networked computer. I can
connect to the internet with no problem but I can't share
anything.

Internet comes in to a router and then is dished out to
the two computers.

When trying to access the network I get the
message "Workgroup is not accessible. You might not have
permission to use this network resource. Contact the
administrator of this server to find out if you have
access permissions. The list of servers for this
workgroup is not currently available"

How can I get these computers connected?

I'm not sure if it matters too much but when I get the IP
address of the XP computer through ipconfig there is a
line that says "Media state...Media disconnected".

Also, when I try to ping the XP computer from the 98SE
computer the action fails and "times out". When I ping
the 98SE computer from the XP computer it is successfull.

Thinking that I needed a password on the XP computer
I put one on and it still gives me the same
"Workgroup is not accessible" message. One thing
that did change is now the 98SE computer sees me on the
network. When the XP computer is selected it
says "'Name' is not accessible. The computer or share
name could not be found. make sure that you typed the
name correctly." What's going on? Should I try and
setup a password on the 98 computer? I never had to do
that when I had another 98SE computer accessing files
from it...???

 

[JackMDS]

Log to this page it has a lot of links to instructions in Network Setting and Sharing.

Link: Basic Networking

 

[StraightPipe]

ca you see the other computers in your "network places"

I have several boxes on a network, and if i change something that would cause a link to go bad i often get that message. or if one of the PC's is disconnected.

make sure both PC's can be seen in the networkplaces, and then be sure your still going through a good link (ie: often times if you move something the shortcut will go bad, and you need to make a new shortcut, or edit the existing one)

 

[ithaca00]

What does it mean when it says "Media state...Media disconnected"? Is this effecting my network at all?

 

[StraightPipe]

not sure, never seen that one.

if your still having problems run the connection wizard on the XP box again. have it connect through a gateway (like a router) then make the setup disc and run it in your 98 box.

this should work fine (after much restarting).

you might have to go back into the network properties and enable file and print sharing (if desired).

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Normally, that error indicates the cable is unplugged, or at least has a bad connection.

 

[mixmastertarzan]

I concur, chek the connection and/or the cable for kinks or breaks. If you can get someone to chek the cable. I saw where this one cleint had mice in his basement nibbling his wiring.

 

[bbqweed]

Originally posted by: ithaca00
What does it mean when it says "Media state...Media disconnected"? Is this effecting my network at all?

Bump NIC to 10Mbps instead of having it trying to autosense at 100Mbps. Lots of times, if the Cat5 is longer than 25 feet, it'll be hard to get a good connection at 100Mbps...why? Beats me...cheap NIC and poor cables...I guess.

Also make sure computers are running in the same workgroup, and enable guest acount/login on the XP machine.