Networking problem

[DHatAVI]

I am trying to network two computers to each other, and I am having quite a problem. One computer(call it 'A') will recognize the other ('B') but 'B' will not recognize 'A'.
They are (or at least appear to be) set up identically, both running Win98, with the same protocals (TCP/IP, IPX/SPX & NetBEUI), file and printer sharing enabled on both. They both have the same workgroup name and different computer names. 'B' can find itself on the network, and on a rare occasion, did find 'A', until we reboot. We have swapped network cards between computers, resistors, T's, but nothing seems to make a difference. Computer 'A' can read and access files from 'B' without a problem.
Both are Pentium machines, the network cards are Reltek 8029 PCI card's, with the latest drivers. Device manager does not indicate any problems with the card configuration in 'B'.
I've run out of ideas, I could sure use some sugestions!

David

[fiddle_dog]

I'm not sure why you want to use all three protocols, TCP/IP, IPX/SPX and NetBEUI. If you just need to network two Windows-based PCs, I'd just use NetBeui, because it's faster and simple.

If you connect a PC to the Internet, you will need to use TCP/IP and properly configure the system (I assume you have done that, since you are posting on this site).

Unless you have a Netware network, or need to keep your PC a bit safer from hackers on the Internet, I don't see a need for IPX/SPX.

Try networking the two PCs with just NetBEUI. No configuration necessary; just make sure you have the same workgroup name and different computer name. Then if that's successful, add another protocol on the PC that is connected to the Internet. If that works, I'd then bind NetBEUI to the NIC on both PCs and TCP/IP on the modem, just for efficiency.

Hope this helps.

[DHatAVI]

I have tried to get the network to work without the TCP/IP, and it did'nt make a difference, so I put it back. One to the uses of this network will be to play games (one computer against the other), I think that some games specify the IPX/SPX protocal.
I'll try NetBEUI alone and see what happens.
Thanks for the input.

[seanmo]

Use NetBEUI and IPX/SPX only. Also use Client for Microsoft Networks. Remove TCP/IP for you r network card.

[Boy]

Hey, you may weant to verify that both have the same protocol selected as default protocol. if that is different or file and printer sharing isnt bound to that protocol, you may not see one of the machines.

-k-

[eicken]

Try this link has a lot of info on troubleshooting networks
http://www.helmig.com

[Quacker]

Try using just TCP/IP with these settings:
ON computer "a" tci/ip of 100.100.100.10
and on computer "b" use 100.100.100.11
and for the subnet use 255.255.255.0 on both and don't mess with anything else.
You can also put IPX/SPX for gamming in DUKE3d type games, TCP/IP for games like QUAKE, but that should do it. But make sure
that the workgroup is the same and computer names are different.
Don

[cobain1crt]

If nothing else works there is a last solotion, there is a program called Ghost that alows you to copy a hard drive (partions, files systems, os, and all) to another identicle hard drive. So take maching 'A' copy the hard disk to the one from 'B' and put the hard drive from 'B' back in system 'B'

[ridefree]

Woa, the last suggestion would only work if they are identical computers. You didn't say that they were, only that they were set up the same. If you copy everything off of A and put it into B, all of the hardware registry settings go along for the ride. You will also wind up with 2 computers with the same name!

If they ARE identical computers and the thought of tranfering a working network configuration to the other appeals to you, you should be able to just extract the registry from A and import it to B. Don't forget to rename B.

The registry is a mysterious thing and I can guarantee you that you can loose your network
and not be able to find anything obviously wrong. A botched attempt to install IE5 took out my system and I had to uninstall IE4 to reinstall Win95. I am running Lantastic for networking. In the process, I lost my dial-up networking and Lantastic. A check of the properties for both showed nothing wrong. I got both back simply by importing a month old copy of the registry. I did not have to reload anything else. Everthing was back with one click.

So an option if all else fails...try deleting your network setup on computer B and reload it.

[Jin Vitas]

Okay... first of all I would use only one protocol.. since.. there is only two systems I would only bind netbeui to the NICs.. (if u play games use IPX/SPX). if netbeui does not show the other computers in the network but u can do a FinD|Computer , then the prob is the master browser.. it takes up to 15 minutes and sometimes 51 minutes to show it up.. in network neighborhood... If this is the case go to properties of file and printer sharing and.. change the master browser to ENABLED on one computer.. and DISABLED on the other computer.. so each does not get confused.. see if that helps.. if use IPX make sure u have the correct frametype, 802.3

[augidog]

i've found that some NIC's work best with specific IRQ's and resources.

personally, i always set my cards to IRQ 11 and I/O to 300.

believe it or not, it has made the difference in some cases similar to your's.

augidog

[This message has been edited by augidog (edited 04-14-99).]