Advice needed - networking Windows XP and 98 machines

H

hooligun

Guest
Need to connect a new Windows XP to a Windows 98 (SE) I think machine.
Both have NICs. Think both cards are 10/100


Main reasons for networking are for me and my son to kick each other around at CS and other such things.

Also have ADSL modem into the XP machine. Would be nice to be able to do Internet sharing if possible.

Do I need/should I get a hub ?
Is it fairly straightfoward to do (I used to have the 98 and a really old 95 machine networked using just some 10-baseT cable).

Any references to articles and recommendations for kit appreciated.

Cheers.

Hooli.
 
D

Deadmanwalking

Guest
I assume u got a USB ADSL modem or an internal one right?

If so.

Crossover cable between both compys and enable ICS on the machine with the Modem.

Simple
 
H

hooligun

Guest
Cheers Deadman.

Would my local Tandy have crossover cable or do I need to order on-line ?
 
X

Xavier

Guest
thought tandy went pop but maplins deffo will :)
 
D

danger

Guest
i have a similar setup, took no time at all to configure :)
 
G

GDW

Guest
Have you considered wireless? Bit more expense but less messy and easier to set up
 
M

.Moriarty.

Guest
Originally posted by Grandadwrinkle
Have you considered wireless? Bit more expense but less messy and easier to set up
Click to expand...
A general rule of thumb: Never do something with wireless if it can be done with ethernet instead.

Wireless is prone to interference, far more expensive, usually has more problems, has less bandwidth and is half-duplex.

Dont get me wrong, its great for certain things, but if you have the option of networking using ethernet or wireless, go for ethernet every time.
 
G

GDW

Guest
^^Fair point but for the average home user wireless is perfectly suited.

The performance is more than adequate for the average home user and no messy wires about the house the installation of which requires lifting carpets and drilling holes etc etc.

Therefore wireless can give a husband and father a quiter and easier life from the wifey.
 
H

hooligun

Guest
Thanks for all the advice.

I'll stick with Ethernet for now (you're right I meant Maplin not Tandy, showin me age).
The 2 boxes are sizeable beasts but are only 6 feet apart and are unlikely to move from the coldest room in the house to where they (and I) have been exiled by the missus :).
 
P

Pippa666

Guest
Hooligun, Tandy is now back in the UK but franchised under the US name of Radio Shack. You can contact them for store locations at:

info@rs-rusk.com

or

RuSk Ltd.
RadioShack Authorized Distributor
Cannock Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Phone: 441-543-468-855
 
H

hooligun

Guest
Part II - Problem 'wizard cannot find network hardware'

Thanks Pippa.

Got some crossover cable from my local Maplin.

Did the old 'Set up a Home or Small Office network' on the XP machine.

Went through the steps ok. Then used the Windows XP CD on my Windows 98 machine to configure that machine on the network (as instructed). Unfortunately the Network Setup utility on the 98 machine says:
'The wizard cannot find youir network hardware'

The 98 machine insists the network card (Realtek) is functioning fine. I tried uninstall and re-install (software only, didn't actually remove and re-add the card) but still no joy.

Anybody got any ideas or is it just sh**ty Windows OS again ?
Part of Bill's big plan to ensure we all have to continually upgrade all our machines to to the next OS ?

Bah !
 
I

Insane

Guest
Re: Part II - Problem 'wizard cannot find network hardware'

Originally posted by hooligun
The 98 machine insists the network card (Realtek) is functioning fine. I tried uninstall and re-install (software only, didn't actually remove and re-add the card) but still no joy.
Click to expand...

realtek :eek6:

rip the card out and aim it for the bin, those cheap-ass cards are the most worthless pieces of crap i've came across.

go invest in a decent network card, something like a 3com 3c905b or an Intel Pro100 card. those are designed for high throughput and doesnt do the "dirty" by offloading to your CPU.
(unless your using an intel on-board and the boards not server-spec :eek: )

also means you will get less problems when you go to upgrade your 98 box to XP, because big named network boards are loved by hubs, switches, OS, and technical support engineers who come to fix the computer :D

also by investing in a decent card, you'll be able to do 10/100 networking, which means a lot faster transfer rate between computers if your sharing files :)

i'll stop wittling on :(
 
H

hooligun

Guest
Tis done ! (nearly)

Thanks for advice Insane but I've got Realtek cards in both machines and I'm too lazy/tight to replace them both.

You were on the right lines though. Found this helpful webby:

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/troubleshoot/specificbroblems.htm

That explains that some cards don't return the right info to XP when it polls them.

The article also explains how to configure the Client machine (98 in my case) manually.

I got this sorted and after configuring the firewalls on each PC (doh! 30 mins later) to allow access the machines are now networked

BUT

still can't get Internet Connection Sharing to work on the 98 machine. Just doesn't make a connection, tried lots ot different options with manually configured proxies and automatic discovery but no joy.

Ah well back to the search engines.

Hooli
 
H

hooligun

Guest
Twas the Firewall what did it.

Finally sorted.

My free firewall software does not support ICS in the free version (Agnitum's Outpost).

So I can use ICS if I turn off the firewall. Great !

Anybody know of any free or cheap(ish < £20) firewall software that allows ICS ?
 
K

kameleon

Guest
you could try xps own firewall
thats free and included
 
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