Networking configuration

[Remi]

Hello everyone. Need a little help setting up my peer network. I have 3 puters connected to a hub. 1 is a Dell Opti (Win2000prp) 2 is a Dell Dimension (XPpro) & 3 is a clone (WinMe). Both 1 & 2 can communicate with 3 but 1 & 2 cant communicate with each other. To eliminate any possible problem with the hub, I simply plugged 1 & 2 together and what I get are Xs on the Lan icons but when I go into Device Manager on both systems, the cards are working properly. Seems to me like a configuration problem but don't really know where to start. Dell was not able to help me with this. Would appreciate any help I can get here. Thans RC

[Steve]

Hi Remi,

I have a network similar to yours. A win2k machine, an xp machine, and a win98se machine. I had the same situation that you describe. For me it was a matter of setting up permissions in Zone Alarm! I needed to add the ip addresses to the "trusted" zone. :)

[Rick]

The X ’s are more than likely being caused by the patch cable you are using.
If you removed the cable from the Hub then just connected the two with the same cable.

For a direct connect like that you need a cross over cable

To setup the 3 again using the Hub.
Enable sharing on all 3 systems
set the permissions and protocols on the win2k and XP system

On the XP system how do you have share enabled ?
Protection or Simple file and printer sharing?

[classicsoftware]

You will have to ad users to the WIN2K box for anyone who wants to log onto that computer.

Since you don't have a router on this setup, yet, set the IP address on each computer an try to ping from one to the other. This will tell you if the computers can communicate right at or below the level and complications of the operating system

[Remi]

I am having some success! I am now able to see XP from 2Kpro by removing the firewall (hopefully this is only temporary). As for the reverse I will try setting up users later, thus far I have been using 2k as the admin, but right now I am performing full diags (which is taking forever). The system keeps freezing up! I've pulled the network plug for now. This system(2k) has always been a pain. I,ve never been able to connect anything (Palm, APC, Kodac) to the the serial ports(2) and now Dell is telling me that I should do a clean re-install but not everything is backed up:o Anyway, just started using this xp and works great. Could someone comment on this 2kpro OS and my current problem with it. Thanks very much for your help. RC

[Rick]

Depending on the Firewall you are using
You need to add the Local IP’s as trusted

For example in ZoneAlarm
Just add the local network Range as Trusted and it will stop blocking your other nodes.
192.168.1.1 through 192.168.1.110
or what ever numbering scheme you are using
Also make sure the subnet is added as trusted 255.255.nnn.nnn

Why is win2k giving you hassles?
That could be almost anything causing that.
A service pack or corrupt file.
Have you run System File Check on it?
That’s Just a guess/suggestion

One of the others here with more knowledge of Win2K will have to help you from here


Is the Com Port 2 listed and enabled in the Bios ?

[classicsoftware]

Dear Remi:

You still didn'y tell us enough about your network.

Peer to Peer?

Is there a server??? What Kind?? Novell, NT 4.0 server, Win2000 Server?

Just seeing or not seeing in network neighborhhod is not the be all or end all of what is going wrong or right with a network.

DONT REINSTALL THE OS yet. MS does not support the OS you buy when it is included with a PC. The support is supposed to come from the vendor. They (the vendor) know a little more than nothing and all they want you to do is reinstall instead of solve the problem becuase it is cheaper for them.

Post back with full network specs? What kind of hub? etc