Win 98 SE network help please

I'm running Win 98 SE on a computer that is older than the OS. The network I am on is a home network with 3 different computers and 2 different OS (Win XP and Linux). What I need help with is the configuration of the network on my end.

We are all plugged into a LinkSys router, The network Cable is working as well as the card, I've tested both on a different computer. Anybody think they can help?

 

With a little detail, probably someone here can help.

First off - what is not working and what is?

3 PCs, A, B, C.
A = XP
B = 98
C = Nix

Do you want them to talk to each other or all of them only to talk to the internet? And if you want LAN communications, do you have any at this point?

XP-home or Pro? Built-in Firewall on or off?

Nix = ??? (which flavor)

DHCP from the router or static IP addresses? If static, what addresses and what subnet mask? If DHCP, what is your address pool?

And any thing else you think might be interesting.

 

Comps A and C are working.
XP= Pro Ed. no firewall
Nix= Red Hat 7.2

Both connected to an existing network and working.

I want LAN communactions on the 98 machine.

DHCP from router, and my brother doesnt seem to think that the adress pool is important. If it is I will find out what it is and tell you. (192.168.1.100-149)

I know that the only thing wrong is the network configuration in 98.

I hope this is the info you need, any more just ask.

 

Djinn - thanks for the info.

As to the address pool - if you are using a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 or any larger (255.255.248.0 or something) that pool will be fine.

With the 98 PC - is networking at all functional or just plain not working?

If not working at all, I'd boot to safe mode, remove the NIC from device manager, shut down, remove the nic and boot back up. Then shut down, re-insert the NIC and set up networking again. Same if it just won't take IP setup information from DHCP.

Also, if the 98 PC has been on the internet, I'd get a copy of Ad-aware and a copy of Spybot-Search & Destroy and run them. Both are free spyware removal programs and between the pair will take care of any spyware you are harboring. Some of the stuff can seriously ***** up networking for you.

One side note for now or later - if you want the 98 PC to be able to use shares from the XP system, you will need to be logging on to the 98 PC with a username and password. And that username and password (exact match) will need to be added to the users on the XP system. If the 98 PC is to have more than minimal access, you will need to put it's user account into a group with more rights on the XP system - super user, administrator, whatever.

Can't give you specifics on 98<>RedHat because the only M$<>Unix networking I've done is with Samba to mimic a M$ system but others on here can and will.

 

02121982

Subnet Mask= 255.255.255.0

Win 98 network NOT working at all, I cant even access the router. It is also a totaly new install, never been on the net.

98 - XP communactions will not be a problem, and I don't care if I can talk to the Linux comp.

I uninstalled the card, took it out and then reinstalled and put it back in and configured windows like I was told by my brother and it still doesn't work. He told me to leave it all defaut.

I know my problem is in the configuration, so thats where I need the help. And in case you are confused at all waht I want most importantly is for my computer to talk to the router. If I can do that I can get on the 'net and communicate with the other comps.

 

The problem is maybe configuration. Or maybe a bad NIC or bad cable or something else.

First thing - is TCP/IP loaded on as a protocol. If so
- Open a command window and run
ping 127.0.0.1

This basically bounces a packet off the back of your NIC and back to the PC. If it fails, you have a failed install somehow. Maybe the card itself or drivers or something. But there is no way it can ever work - at least not with TCP/IP which is required for the internet.

Second (if the first worked) is to ping the IP address of one of the other PCs or the router. If that works then you are almost there. If it doesn't then you have either a
- bad cable (try a different one)
- speed / duplex mismatch between PC and switch (try changing from
autosense to a specific setting. Start with 10Mbs half-duplex
and if that works, try the fastest of 100Mbs full-duplex)
- bad plug/port in the NIC or switch (if the switch port works with
another PC, the NIC is damaged.

If the first and second both check out OK, then try making all manual settings on the NIC (assuming you are using DHCP now to automatically set stuff). Go to the working 98 PC and do start~run~winipcfg and then get details.

You will want to set the other PC up using an IP that is within the pool range but not in use. Subnet mask, Workgroup, Gateway address the same as the working system. DNS (if assigned) also the same.

 

I got a reply from the 127.0.0.1 os the problem is in the comfiguration. I know this because the NIC is from another computer that was working fine, and the Cable I tested on that same computer.

If you happen to have the books for a LinkSys BEFSR41 4-port router That would help me the most right now because my brother lost the books. All I remember about the set-up is that I have to set Windows to take the IP address from the router, but there must be something I am missing. If you can help me with that or send me in the right direction I would appreciate that.

 

I just happen to have that book at home. At work now but can look up stuff tomorrow morning.

Do you have web access to the router/switch so you can look at and maybe change some setup items?

 

I have access to the router from the other computers in the house.