Win 98 Networking Woes

[presto]

I have 8 computers networked by ethernet cable all running Win 98. I use TCP/IP and "obtain IP automatically". A router from our cable service distributes the ip's.

All of the computers show up in all of the Network Neighborhoods

All of the computers can be pinged from any computer

BUT:

Some computers cannot connect to some computers when clicking on the icon in Network Neighborhood. The error message I get is something like "Share Name Not Found ". (Remember I can ping the same connection no problem). This happens consistantly on three identical computers and intermittantly on some of the other computers. Some computers never give this error message.

After running a program called Netscan the above problem dissapears for a while. I can connect to all comps by clicking on their icon. Netscan is a freeware program that finds and lists all the computers connected to the network and gives their names and ip addresses. It takes it two or three minutes to find all the computers. On rebooting the problem returns. I think but am not sure that the problem returns after a while anyway. What could this little program be doing that causes the sharenames to be available? It is not meant to be a repair program, only to list all the computers on the network.

What is the componant that is supposed to handle the sharenames? I do not have DSN enabled. Could it have anything to do with host files? I'm really confused. To me the computers should either be networked or not networked but this is a mess.

If you can help or even give me some troubleshooting step I would really appreciate it.

(I know about winipconfig. All the computers show that they have ips in the range they should have. 192.168.1.100 etc

[808smokey]

I would buy XP, NT or 2000

[presto]

That's good advice but it's a small business and I think 8 copies of XP would be too expensive right now. I'll look and see if there is a price break for buying 8 copies.

The thing is the current system works. The computers that need to talk to each other are. It just bugs the heck out of me that I can't connect to all the computers the way I should. I'd like to learn what is going on.

[DVD_Ripper]

I would tempted to swap out router or add a hub to the route to interconnect the pc's and see if that resolves it... if not return router / hub and get your money back.

[stiltman]

The problem has to do with what called browser master and elections to see who's going to be the master browser. Generally, the first computer up on the network scans to see who is the master browser. A lot of things are in volved, like OS versions and registry settings.

Do all the the computers change IPs via DHCP or do they pretty much stay the same? If they stay the same, add entries to your "hosts" file on each computer.

Is there one computer that is always running, say a print server? You can force this one to be the master browser all the time by editing the registry.


You also could make your print server, if you have one, a win2K Pro OS and it would always be the master browser.

To me, the simplist and cheapest way to do this would just to set all the computers to static IPs (if you can). Then add entries to the hosts file.

BTW, this has nothing to do with DNS. This is a WINS issue

[gitreel]

That's good advice but it's a small business and I think 8 copies of XP would be too expensive right now. I'll look and see if there is a price break for buying 8 copies.

The thing is the current system works. The computers that need to talk to each other are. It just bugs the heck out of me that I can't connect to all the computers the way I should. I'd like to learn what is going on.

You do not need to buy 8 different copies. You can buy a volume license from Microsoft and install the same copy on each computer.

[presto]

To me, the simplist and cheapest way to do this would just to set all the computers to static IPs (if you can). Then add entries to the hosts file.

This sounds like what I want to do. I can't think of any reason not to have static ips. I think I can handle editing the host files. I just list an ip and a space and then the host name, right?

[gitreel]

To me, the simplist and cheapest way to do this would just to set all the computers to static IPs (if you can). Then add entries to the hosts file.

This sounds like what I want to do. I can't think of any reason not to have static ips. I think I can handle editing the host files. I just list an ip and a space and then the host name, right?

Static ip's makes it easier for the hackers to find you. You really need to get off 98 anyway, because of the instability of the OS.

[Capmaster]

Install the protocol NWLink IPX/SPX (if not already there) for the concerned network cards from within network properties on all machines. Also, right click IPX/SPX and edit the properties for each one. Go into "Advanced". Change frame type from "Auto" to 802.3. Then restart them all and see if it works OK

[stiltman]

To me, the simplist and cheapest way to do this would just to set all the computers to static IPs (if you can). Then add entries to the hosts file.

This sounds like what I want to do. I can't think of any reason not to have static ips. I think I can handle editing the host files. I just list an ip and a space and then the host name, right?

Static ip's makes it easier for the hackers to find you. You really need to get off 98 anyway, because of the instability of the OS.

they'll have a hard time finding him @ 192.168.1.xxx

[stiltman]

Install the protocol NWLink IPX/SPX (if not already there) for the concerned network cards from within network properties on all machines. Also, right click IPX/SPX and edit the properties for each one. Go into "Advanced". Change frame type from "Auto" to 802.3. Then restart them all and see if it works OK

Actually, for 8 computers all on the same subnet, NetBeui would be much faster and more effecient. Then again, I never linked NWLink or NWIP (or what ever they're lame IP version was called)

[presto]

Thanks for all the help.

One more thing. We're adding one more computer which has win xp. Does the change anything?

The comments here have convinced me to move toward all win xp but it still might not happen immedietly.

[presto]

I would tempted to swap out router or add a hub to the route to interconnect the pc's and see if that resolves it... if not return router / hub and get your money back.

I forget to comment ealier that I had allready done just that. No change.

[stiltman]

Thanks for all the help.

One more thing. We're adding one more computer which has win xp. Does the change anything?

The comments here have convinced me to move toward all win xp but it still might not happen immedietly.

Win XP will be the master browser by default and will win ever election.
I would still add the computers to the hosts file. That way if one or any of them go down, the host file will be used anyway.


There's really no need to migrate to XP if you are not having any problems other than the WINS issue.

Just create one LMHOSTS file. Sorry I was wrong, it not hosts, but lmhosts for netBIOS. It's been awhile since I've played with them.... you can delete everything in it, as that will save time on sparsing. The just add (below) and then copy the sameone to all the compters.

example;
192.168.1.101 [tab] pc1 [tab] #PRE
192.168.1.102 [tab] pc2 [tab] #PRE
192.168.1.103 [tab] pc3 [tab] #PRE

You can do the same thing with the hosts file too and also give them a fake DNS entry

example
192.168.1.101 [tab] pc1 [tab] pc1.acme.com
192.168.1.102 [tab] pc2 [tab] pc2.acme.com

[tab] = tab key on the keyboard



BTW, gitreel, I'm suprised you didn't catch my screw up with LMhosts and hosts....slackin there buddy

[presto]

BTW, gitreel, I'm suprised you didn't catch my screw up with LMhosts and hosts....slackin there buddy

Everyones been helpful but it seems like you really understand what I'm saying.

My first thougth was that if I could just fix this problem I could stick with win 98. Not only is there money involved but there is the downtime of upgrading all the computers and the inevitable headaches that ensue. I doubt very much I would just run the win xp uprgrade and everything would work.

So I'm going to try your suggestions and will let you know.

In your example above do I put the name of the computer in place of pc1, pc2 etc? Also do I just type #PRE or does that represent something I put there?

[gitreel]

To me, the simplist and cheapest way to do this would just to set all the computers to static IPs (if you can). Then add entries to the hosts file.

This sounds like what I want to do. I can't think of any reason not to have static ips. I think I can handle editing the host files. I just list an ip and a space and then the host name, right?

Static ip's makes it easier for the hackers to find you. You really need to get off 98 anyway, because of the instability of the OS.

they'll have a hard time finding him @ 192.168.1.xxx

True

[presto]

Install the protocol NWLink IPX/SPX (if not already there) for the concerned network cards from within network properties on all machines. Also, right click IPX/SPX and edit the properties for each one. Go into "Advanced". Change frame type from "Auto" to 802.3. Then restart them all and see if it works OK

It did! Thanks. I checked "allow Net Bios over IPX/SPX and I did not check "Make this the default protocol". Is that right?

So what happens when you have two protocols?

Does it try the first one and if it cannot connect it tries the second?

Would it be better to have IPX/SPX as the default, since it is the one that connects better? Do I even need TCP/IP?



Do these protocols determine the data speed over the network or just the handshaking that takes place when connections are made?

Actually, for 8 computers all on the same subnet, NetBeui would be much faster and more effecient. Then again, I never linked NWLink or NWIP (or what ever they're lame IP version was called)

I tried NetBeui before but it did not work. I probably just didn't know how to set it up. After I add the protocol do you know what settings I need to change? We are at our slow season but when we get busy I want the net to be as fast and reliable as possible so if you think NetBeui wil be more efficient I'd like to try it.

Thanks All

[stiltman]

Install the protocol NWLink IPX/SPX (if not already there) for the concerned network cards from within network properties on all machines. Also, right click IPX/SPX and edit the properties for each one. Go into "Advanced". Change frame type from "Auto" to 802.3. Then restart them all and see if it works OK

It did! Thanks. I checked "allow Net Bios over IPX/SPX and I did not check "Make this the default protocol". Is that right?

So what happens when you have two protocols?

Does it try the first one and if it cannot connect it tries the second?

Would it be better to have IPX/SPX as the default, since it is the one that connects better? Do I even need TCP/IP?



Do these protocols determine the data speed over the network or just the handshaking that takes place when connections are made?

Actually, for 8 computers all on the same subnet, NetBeui would be much faster and more effecient. Then again, I never linked NWLink or NWIP (or what ever they're lame IP version was called)

I tried NetBeui before but it did not work. I probably just didn't know how to set it up. After I add the protocol do you know what settings I need to change? We are at our slow season but when we get busy I want the net to be as fast and reliable as possible so if you think NetBeui wil be more efficient I'd like to try it.

Thanks All

If I were you, I wouldn't install anything besides TCP/IP

My comment was in jest to adding a Novell protocal to a pure windows enviroment....BTW, there's nothing to setup for netBeui. Just install the protocol and go. Still, unitall everything sept IP setup your lmhosts and you'll be good to go until MS stops providing updates and support for win98

[gitreel]

I would still drop 98 though, if I were you. It is not stable enough to be running a business on.

[presto]

If I were you, I wouldn't install anything besides TCP/IP

My comment was in jest to adding a Novell protocal to a pure windows enviroment....BTW, there's nothing to setup for netBeui. Just install the protocol and go. Still, unitall everything sept IP setup your lmhosts and you'll be good to go until MS stops providing updates and support for win98

Now I'm confused because adding the new protocol solved my problem. Your saying having more than one protocol is not good?

I tried setting up the LM Host file and it still didn't work. All I did was open up LMHost.sam and delete what was in there and put in the info as in your description. It didn't seem to help. I'll re read your post and see if I forgot to do something.

[gitreel]

Having more than one protocol installed will slow the computer down.

98 Is not really meant for networking even though you can. Windows 9X is not an business OS. It was meant for the home user.

It is better to have 2000 or Xp, but Micromonkey is wanting people to migrate from 2000 to xp. You really should check into a volume license. That way you would only need to buy one copy of xp.

[stiltman]

If I were you, I wouldn't install anything besides TCP/IP

My comment was in jest to adding a Novell protocal to a pure windows enviroment....BTW, there's nothing to setup for netBeui. Just install the protocol and go. Still, unitall everything sept IP setup your lmhosts and you'll be good to go until MS stops providing updates and support for win98

Now I'm confused because adding the new protocol solved my problem. Your saying having more than one protocol is not good?

I tried setting up the LM Host file and it still didn't work. All I did was open up LMHost.sam and delete what was in there and put in the info as in your description. It didn't seem to help. I'll re read your post and see if I forgot to do something.

LMHosts.sam = sample
You need to save the file as "LMHOST" without an extension.
Open LMHOSTS.sam with notepad, edit. click file/save as
type "LMHOSTS" (included the quotes) and click save

[presto]

LMHosts.sam = sample
You need to save the file as "LMHOST" without an extension.
Open LMHOSTS.sam with notepad, edit. click file/save as
type "LMHOSTS" (included the quotes) and click save

Ahhh.

Will do.

[presto]

98 Is not really meant for networking even though you can. Windows 9X is not an business OS. It was meant for the home user.

It is better to have 2000 or Xp, but Micromonkey is wanting people to migrate from 2000 to xp. You really should check into a volume license. That way you would only need to buy one copy of xp.

I went to the microsoft site to look into volume licensing. What you find is page after page touting the many benefits of this wonderful licensing system. Then they send you to a third party to actually buy it where you find this kind of stuff "The Software License Asset Management tool for CAP sites is a powerful new online resource designed for the business customer to help streamline and simplify their software purchasing. " You then flounder around from page to page trying to find out how to actually buy this wonderful thing they are trying to sell you. What a pain.

I finally found an 800 number and it took the girl on the phone only two seconds to tell me that if I buy 10 licences they will be 185.00 each. Well they're only 199.00 each at Best Buy! Not the price break I was hoping for. So I'll stick with Win 98 for now.

[gitreel]

I wasn't talking about 10 licenses. I was talking about buying a volume license key which can be used on multiple computers using one copy of xp.

[presto]

Oh, I thought that was the same thing.

(also, I appreciate the suggestions so don't think I was annoyed with you just because I didn't think the license thing panned out)

[gitreel]

No Problem

I am just trying to help.

[stiltman]

No Problem

I am just trying to help.

BS, you know it all Son of a bitccch

[henry97]

I have an 800Mh PC with WinMe OS. I upgraded to WinXp, everything was very slow then I had to install WinMe back.
A question for Upgrading OS, Is the hardware can handle it?

[808smokey]

I have an 800Mh PC with WinMe OS. I upgraded to WinXp, everything was very slow then I had to install WinMe back.
A question for Upgrading OS, Is the hardware can handle it?

I have 3 pc's that have XP Pro installed on them, 2x450mhz's and a 550mhz. They run just fine. Just need 256mb of ram. BTW WinME BLOWS