Help!
I've been trying to set up a network between two computers. one runs xp and the other runs 98. These two computers are connected through a router (linksys befsr41). However, even though I have a router, I do NOT have them sharing internet, and I do not have any internet service (besides dial-up...bleh).

I want to use the router (because I may want to add a third or fourth computer to the network) but I haven't been succesful thus far. These two computers don't have to have ics sharing on them.

I know just enough about networking to be dangerous, but that's it. So... if someone could give me the very easy solutions that'd be great. Also, someone else could assume that I've tried those easy solutions and they didn't work (this is true).

so again...... HELP!
thanks.

Leadership is the art of influencing and directing others in a way that will gain their respect, confidence, and loyal cooperation in achieving a common goal or objective

Normally you wouldn't use a router if all you wanted to do was to connect computers in a Local Area Network. You would use a switch or a hub.

However, as the BRFSR41 has a built in switch you can use that and ignore the Router part of the box. You can use the DHCP facilities if you wish but as you are not connecting to the Internet it is not necessary.

All you need do is plug each computer into one of the Ethernet ports on the router with a straight trough Cat5 path cable. Make sure both computers have TCP/IP enabled. Configure one with an IP address of 192.160.002 and mask of 255.255.255.000. Use 192.168.000.003 and the same mask and you should be up and running.

I have left out 192.168.000.001 address because the router itself may well be using that address.

Make sure you have file and print sharing anabled and that you have dsignated any files or folders you want to share as shared.

Stuart

Dear Stuart, a contributor I highly respect..."192.160.002 and mask of 255.255.255.000. Use 192.168.000.003 and the same mask and you should be up and running.

I have left out 192.168.000.001 address"

I think you mean 192.168.0.2 and 192.168.0.3 with a mask of 255.255.255.0 and the router at 192.168.0.1
No?

Regards,
Bryan

Hi Bryan

Sorry! a typo. It should indeed have been 192.168.000.xxx for both addresses.

Thanks for pointing it out. I'll have to improve on my proof reading skills.

Regards
Stuart

how do I change ip addresses? do I run winipcfg? or can I do that from the network settings properties?

thanks again.

Leadership is the art of influencing and directing others in a way that will gain their respect, confidence, and loyal cooperation in achieving a common goal or objective

NIC properties >> Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) properties.

ok...still got a problem.

I set the IP address on the xp computer as 192.168.0.3 the IP address on the 98 computer is set as 192.168.0.2

I tried to ping both computers and it didn't work. So...

in my network connections properties on the 98 machine I have the following protocols:
client for microsoft networks
file and print sharing for microsoft networks
tcp/ip connection
tcp/ip 10/100 ethernet linksys something or other
network
network 10/100 ethernet linksys something or other

on the xp machine I have the following protocols:
file and print sharing for microsoft networks
client for microsoft networks
qos packet scheduler
tcp/ip

on both tcp/ip protocols I have the ip address set, but neither of them have a default gateway set (whatever that is).

furthermore, on the xp machine, I have windows firewall on...AND I have norton antivirus autoprotect enabled.

I already ran the xp wizard for setting up a network on both computers. When I did that, I selected the option that says the network does not share an internet connection.

finally, both computers are on the workgroup MSHOME the xp machine is named HOME123 and the 98 machine is named HOME.

any more things I could try?
Thanks.

Leadership is the art of influencing and directing others in a way that will gain their respect, confidence, and loyal cooperation in achieving a common goal or objective

actually...I just now tried it again...and the xp computer can now see the 98 computer (that's all I really need anyway). However, I can not get any files from the 98 computer yet. the message I get when I click on the icon for the 98 computer is "\\home is not accessible".

sooooo......

Leadership is the art of influencing and directing others in a way that will gain their respect, confidence, and loyal cooperation in achieving a common goal or objective

Have you actually designated any files/folders as shared. Until you do that there is nothing to access.

From Windows Explorer, right click on the drive/folder you wish to share and select Sharing.

Stuart

yeah I have. :(

Leadership is the art of influencing and directing others in a way that will gain their respect, confidence, and loyal cooperation in achieving a common goal or objective

woohoohoohooo!

I've finally figured it out. and I love it.

this website: http://lpt.usbfireinfo.com/windowsnetworking/faq/faq.htm

helped a TON.

here's what I needed to do:
1. get rid of my router and just use a twisted cable.

2. configure the network cards manually so that they were both configured as "100BaseTX Full_Duplex" for the media speed.

woot.

Leadership is the art of influencing and directing others in a way that will gain their respect, confidence, and loyal cooperation in achieving a common goal or objective

Can I join in now? I have exactly the same problem, but removing the router is not an option: I have that in there so that I can get an ADSL connection when the technician from the ISP arrives. Meantime I am getting ready for that time, and getting my laptop to interface with my older desktop so I can share files and - later- an internet connection.

How come my XP laptop correctly identifies (sometimes, not always) the name of the Win98 desktop, but then says it is not available?

Any more ideas about where to go to from here?

Terry@nz

Back again....

In XP I right-clicked on the *partition* with the files I wanted to share, selected Sharing Tab and ticked 'Share this on the netework'. That fixed up one end.

In Win98 go to ControlPanel/Network/Configuration. The File and Print Sharing were already set up, but it needed *also* select TCP/IP and click Properties/Bindings. There is another checkbox there.

That's it!

Now: two follow-ups:-

can someone confirm that RJ45 cables can be hot-plugged?

until I get ADSL installed, is it possible to dial-up with this arrangement from the laptop, which is not the computer actually connected to the Net?

Terry@nz

Back yet again....

Thought I had it, but didn't. :-((

Printers and partitions on the desk computer *also* have to be right-clicked and set to Sharing. Then they appear on their own Explorer with the hand underneath that indicates sharing.

This time I have tested before rushing into print!!

Terry@nz