I have set up a WinME/Win98 peer-to-peer network at home. The Windows98 is working okayed. I can ping and access the shared folders in WinMe via the Network Neighborhood on the desk-top from Win98. On the other side, I have Empty Network Neighborhood in WinMe with error message, "Unable to browse the network. The network is not accessible". Though, I can ping and access the Win98 via START/RUN, "\\win98", where win98 is the name of Win98 computer. The auto logon feature in Tweak UI in WinMe is also checked. It seems to me that all the hardware setup should be correct in both computers. The network setting should be correct with the same NetBEUI protocol/file sharing in both computers. I have checked the registry settings in both computers for any discrepancy, but not successful --- actually, I don't know which one to look for. Now, my problem is how to make the network computers' icons visible in the Network Neighborhood on the desk-top of WinMe? Please help!!! Thank you very much for your assistance.

Since you don’t have an WIN’s box on your little network, you should setup an LMHOST file and point them to each other. The problem is that there nothing to translate your IP address into NetBios names.

On a micky mouse peer to peer, you don't need wins or lmhosts. If you can't see anything in network neighborhood, check to be sure file and print sharing is enabled. Share something like a directory or printer. Be sure to use a short share name (8 characters or less) or the win98 machine won't see it.

Read up above, he can get to the other machine by typing \\???? and get to the other device without any problems. I am not telling him to install a WINS box, but to try lmhost file. I am sure he has file/print sharing enable or he would not be able to to do \\? from the run menu.... The problem is a broadcast problem of Netbios, I hate windows for this reason.

Make sure the workgroup name is written in the identification of NN properties.

Thank you all for replying to my post. Brian, you are right!!! I can bypass the Network Neighborhood to the other machine by typing \\win98 and access the shared folders in Win98 machine without any problem. This indicates that the network settings like protocol, file & printer sharing, host name and workgroup name should be set up correctly. In fact, I have double-cheched them before I posted this new thread. What bothers me is the empty Network Neighborhood and the error message. I am just wondering if the networking registry is at fault or it is a Windows bug. By the way, Brian, can you elaborate on the lmhost file suggestion? Can you attach an example lmhost file for this micky mouse network in the email to me at cibalo@gmx.co.uk. Please help!!! Thank you very much for your assistance.

Thank you all for replying to my post. Brian, you are right!!! I can bypass the Network Neighborhood to the other machine by typing \\win98 and access the shared folders in Win98 machine without any problem. This indicates that the network settings like protocol, file & printer sharing, host name and workgroup name should be set up correctly. In fact, I have double-cheched them before I posted this new thread. What bothers me is the empty Network Neighborhood and the error message. I am just wondering if the networking registry is at fault or it is a Windows bug. By the way, Brian, can you elaborate on the lmhost file suggestion? Can you attach an example lmhost file for this micky mouse network in the email to me at cibalo@gmx.co.uk. Please help!!! Thank you very much for your assistance.