I've set up a wireless network with two computers connected. My primary computer is running Win XP Pro SP1 and has a Broadxent DSL modem and a Netgear WGR614 router attached. My other computer is running Win 98SE.

I am experiencing one major problem. I am not able to fully share files and printers between these two computers. I can see the folders/files/printers on my Win 98SE computer from my Win XP Pro computer but not vice versa. When I click on My Network Places in Windows Explorer, I see my home network name under Microsoft Windows Network, and I see my attached Win 98SE computer and associated shared folders for it. However, I do not see the primary WinXP Pro computer shown under my home network name. Shouldn't it also be listed?

Furthermore, when I attempt to view this same listing on the Win 98SE computer, I only see the Win 98SE computer and its shared folders/files.

What do I need to do to be able to make this file/printer sharing work fully between the two pc's?

Hi Starman,

There are several questions that I could ask but instead take a look at the following URL;
http://www.homenethelp.com/web/howto/net-update.asp

Go through their instructions and let me know if it works.

ZippyZingo

Thanks. I got the file and print sharing to work on both pcs using these directions.

There was one thing that was not addressed in these directions, however. I am running Sygate Personal Firewall on the server pc (Win XP Pro) but not on the other networked pc (Win 98SE). On the Advanced Tab for Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) for the DSL modem device, should I enable the Internet Connection Firewall within XP Pro? Should I enable Internet Connection Sharing? What should be the settings on the Authentification tab for this device? Would these settings be any different on the internal network card device on the server pc? Do I need to run a personal firewall program on my Win 98SE pc also?

I also have a 1394 Connection device shown as another LAN or High Speed Internet device. What is this? Do I need to also configure it? If so, what settings are needed?

Thanks for your help.

Glad it helped.

I am going to make an assumption about your connections which you will have to correct if I am wrong. It is that you have at least one of the PCs connected via Ethernet cable and the other wireless.

If the computers are not directly connected, that is to say, connected with a cable running directly from one to the other. then Internet connections sharing should be turned off on the XP machine. You should be running both machines into the router either with an Ethernet cable or a wireless Ethernet card. This gives them totally seperate access to the Internet without dependence on one another. Because of this, you really should have a firewall on the '98 machine. The Sygate firewall is fine on the XP system. Do not activeate the Windows XP firewall on that system. It is not as good as what you have because it only checks incoming packets and two firewalls on one machine can conflict.

These should really be your secondary line of defense. Your router has an excelent firewall built into it which should also be activated. This one will screen you packets as they come in but will also "hide" your systems from the internet. For a quick check of what to look at on the router see Oldfrog's post here;
/t59967-Were_not_in_Kansas_anymore_Toto.html

The 1394 device that you see would be a USB LAN connector. If you don't have one it is possible that the driver software for one of your NICs set this up too. You don't need to configure it if it is not in use. In fact, if you are sure that you are not using it, it can be removed.

As far as I know, your authentication should be the same on both systems.

If I missed something, let me know. Or let me know how it goes anyway.

Thanks again ZippyZingo.

Re: my network connections, I have my Win XP Pro pc's internal network card connected to my Netgear Wireless Router which is "fed" the internet signal by my DSL modem. My other pc (Win 98SE) has a Netgear wireless card which picks up the router's signal to get internet access as well as home network connectivity. Does this configuration change any of your previous recommendations?

What should be the settings on the Authentification tab for the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) for the DSL modem? (Which boxes should be checked?) What should be the EAP type?

Would any of these settings affect the Startup speed of my Win XP Pro pc? It is taking approx 2-3 minutes for the network icons to properly load and configure in my Start bar. Until this is complete, I can't really use my pc. It seems like something in the network load is causing this delay since those are the last two icons to load before the Start Windows wav file plays that familiar sound and the pc is ready to run apps.

How can I determine if the 1394 device is being used? It indicates its enabled but I still don't understand what it is for or what is connected to it. All it says is that it is a "1394 Net Adapter". It has "Client for Microsoft Networks", "File and Printer Sharing ...", and "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" all checked.

I still have yet to read about configuring the router firewall so I'll defer any questions I have about that til later.

Thanks.

Ok, I implented the router configuration recommended in the link you referred.

I'm still unclear about what settings are required on the Authentification tab. Can you address this specifically?

Otherwise, everything seems to be working pretty well. I notice that there is a new version of the router firmware available, so I will be upgrading this. Any tips on this process? Is there any way to save my current settings so that I can restore them into the new firmware or must all of this be done manually?

Thanks again for your help ZippyZingo.

I upgraded the router firmware. All went very smooth. Kept my exiting settings.

I'm still unclear about what settings are required on the Authentification tab. Can someone address this specifically?