Network with Win98SE and WinXP

I had two W98SE computers set-up in a NetBEUI network. Worked great sharing files, a printer and a cable modem with a hub. Secure from Internet intrusion and just what we wanted.
GRC.com's Shields Up! reported port 139 firmly closed to all passers-by and unable to connect with my computer's NetBIOS.
This is a 'home/family' network that will never be opened to outsiders.

Have now replaced one computer with a new Win-XP computer. The other computer will remain Win98SE - forever.

Question - for the new Win-XP computer to be network compatible with my existing NetBEUI protocol, do I set it up with NetBEUI (I already have the NBF.sys and NetNBF.inf files) OR will the IPX/SPX protocol work compatibly with NetBEUI on Win98SE?
Or should I now change both computers to TCP/IP, and buy a router with a firewall to secure the network ?

Many thanks.

 

I would ( and I did go ) go that route.

I have one XP and two 98SE machines and a printer plugged into the Router.

I can have all machines online at the same time. And one does not depend on the other for anything. I had a SHARED printer hooked to the XP machine. But when my machines was off ( or in trouble ) nobody could use it. Now it makes no difference what machine is on or off.

There is one thing that should be mentioned though.

The Router, the Modem ( and in my case the Printer ) should be constantly powered. That way any machine can use them at anytime.

BillyBob