networking windows 98's with windows XP's

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shahramsheybany@yahoo.com - 17 Feb 2006 05:27 GMT

Hello everyone:

I have 6 computers and a DSL modem connected to a router and am able to
connect to the WWW with no problem from all of them. 2 computers run
windows 98. 3 run windows XP pro and the last one windows XP home.
All of the XP's browse each other. both 98's browse each other and one
of the XP pro's but not the other XP's. I remember when I got my first
XP (the one that can browse the 98's) someone showed me how to install
NETBUI on the XP. I have since forgotten how to do it. Is this the
solution (inatalling NETBUI on the XP's) or not? If yes, would someone
direct me how to do it.

Many Thanks,
Shahram Sheybany

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Steve Winograd [MVP] - 17 Feb 2006 10:03 GMT

>Hello everyone:
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>Many Thanks,
>Shahram Sheybany

NetBEUI isn't the solution. Nothing in Windows networking has ever
required NetBEUI, and it's an unsupported protocol in Windows XP.
That means that Microsoft hasn't tested it, recommends not using it,
doesn't guarantee that it will work, and won't give technical support
on it. TCP/IP, by itself, supports all networking functions.

If you want to try NetBEUI anyway, follow these instructions:

HOW TO: Install NetBEUI on Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;301041

If a network doesn't work properly with one protocol (TCP/IP), adding
another protocol (NetBEUI) is likely to make the problem worse,
especially when Windows XP is involved.

Are you browsing via Network Neighborhood and My Network Places? If
so I'm not surprised that you're having problems. In my experience,
network browsing is inherently unreliable, especially when Windows XP
is involved. I recommend not browsing the network at all.

To see the shared disks and folders on another computer, type the
other computer's name in the Start | Run box in this format:

\\computer

To see the contents of a particular shared disk or folder, type its
name in the Start | Run box in this format:

\\computer\share

If you want to troubleshoot network browsing, there are folks in news
group microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web who will go to great
lengths to help.

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Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - Windows Networking
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm

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shahramsheybany@yahoo.com - 18 Feb 2006 06:14 GMT

Thank you very much for your quick and comprehensive response. Off
course you are right. However, I now have to change my work flow
habits. I used to use windows explorer to copy files from computer to
computer. Now I will have to use start-run box. Thanks again. I have
one other question. Do I need to uninstall other protocols from my
windows 98 machines and just leave TCP/IP in? Or should I just leave
things alone?

Sharham Sheybany

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Steve Winograd [MVP] - 18 Feb 2006 08:23 GMT

>>>I have 6 computers and a DSL modem connected to a router and am able to
>>>connect to the WWW with no problem from all of them. 2 computers run
[quoted text clipped - 50 lines]
>windows 98 machines and just leave TCP/IP in? Or should I just leave
>things alone?

You're welcome.

Well, you don't have to use my suggestion. If you want to solve the
network browsing problem, I recommend posting a message in
microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web, or reading some of the
thousands of messages that are already there about network browsing
problems. Some of the proposed solutions might help.

I recommend removing all protocols except TCP/IP from all computers.
That might solve the network browsing problem! I've written a web
page with more information:

Windows XP Network Protocols
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/network_protocols.htm

Here's another way to access a computer or a shared disk/folder:
create a desktop shortcut to it.

1. Right-click the desktop.

2. Click New | Shortcut.

3. Specify the location of the item in one of these forms:

\\computer
\\computer\share

You can even create a desktop folder and keep shortcuts to multiple
computers or shared disks/folders in it.

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