I need help on how to setup a home network

[Battousai1]

my current setup is composed of two desktop PC's, one ethernet router and a dsl modem. My setup is that the two desktop PC's are connected to the router and the router is connected to the dsl modem, the two pc's are connected to the router in order to have both PC's to have internet connection (even if the other desktop PC is turned off). I would like to network/connect both desktop PC in order to share files and do other things.. but Im having problems in setting up the network.. I already tried the Network Setup Wizard of Windows XP from the other machine and used the WinXP CD for the network setup wizard for the other desktop cause it is running on Windows 98 S.E. but still after several tries of the Network Setup Wizard I still cant get them to be connected and networked... BTW I have not yet tried networking yet and this is my first time to do it.. Im also thingking of just connecting both desktop via network cable and connect one desktop to the router but I think that it will mean that the other desktop that is connected to the router/dsl modem needs to be always turned on in order for the other desktop to have internet access so I did not tried that setup and instead stick to the current setup which is two desktop connected to the ethernet router.

Is there any other way to network/connect my two desktop PC's? and do I have to make the other desktop which is running Win98 SE to WinXP? and if ever the other desktop is already WinXP how can I also network/connect the two desktops? thnx!

[rraehal]

You should be able to use your router to network the PC's. I have an actiontec DSL modem and a linksys router. All of my systems are connected to the router. (3 PC's, 1 laptop to wireless, and an Xbox). I am able to netwokr all of my systems with no problems.

You want to check your systems to make sure they are all using TCP/IP and it is properly getting an address from your router. You can do this using winipcfg.exe on the 98 machine and you must open a DOS prompt in windows XP. (Start -> Run -> CMD - > OK) Use ipconfig /all in the command windows to see the address in XP.

If both systems do have the same IP Subnet and prefix you should be okay. Your router should provide a DHCP address so I do not think this is the issue but it is useful for trouble shooting.

On the Windows 98 box you must install the CLient for Microsoft Netwroking. This can be done by adding a client in the network neighborhood properties. Set your primary login to Client for Microsoft Networks instead of Microsoft Family logon.

Both PC's need to be in the same Workgroup. This can be changed on XP is the properties of My Computer on the identification tab. In Windows 98 use the Network Neighborhood properties.

Once the corect Workgroup and IP address are determined you should log into the Windows 98 box with a user name that is on the Windows XP box. For eaxmple I have Administrator and marachon as users on my pc. I need to login to widnows 98 as either of these users with the correct password.

You can ping each of you systems to see if the network is able to see each system. Open a comand window. the ping command syntax is:
ping 192.168.1.1 where the address is the IP of your machine. You should be able to ping you local system anytime and the other system when it is on.

If you can not ping, make sure the XP firewall is off and if you have another software firewall such as Zonealarm or Norton Internet Security turn them off for testing as well.

Create your shares on each system for shared access. Windows XP can share without additional steps. In Windows 98 you must install file and print sharing. This is also done in Network Neighborhood proerties.

If you are using NTFS you must specify access rights to the filesystem. By deafult all users should have access to some folders while others are limited to the user that creates them.

You should be able to access your share from Network Neighborhood or My Network Places.

if you can not see the computers, click start, type run, enter \\PCNAME\SHARENAME in the run box and click OK. You should be on your shared drive.

[Midknyte]

please look at the "best of" thread. this type of question has been asked a lot.

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=162273