How to netwok NT4.0?

[andonis]

I just threw together an old 486 out of junk parts and loaded NT on it with SP3. It works great so far but I am not able to get it running on my network. I am running an SMC 8 port router with DSL. I have it set for DHCP which for many other PC's on my netwok, works excellent, even on wireless thru a Linsys AP. I've got machines with 95,98, ME and 2000 all of which I set for automatic settings and they always work great. But I'm not familiar with NT and it seems quite different than the other OS's. I have it with a basic ISA network card and default NE2000 driver which seem fine. The first time I connected up to my network with DHCP set to auto I got connected and was assigned an IP but was not able to get connect to the internet or to see other PC's in network neigborhood. But other PC's showed the 486 in network places but where unable to see anything on the machine. Drive C is set for sharing. Seems to me all other machines I set up I had to install the "client for microsft networks" which I can't find in NT.
Funny thing is it's hit or miss when I do get the machine to get on to the network, usually after a startup I get a message "dhcp server not found" but sometimes is does log on. Strange... I also tried to manually set an open IP and the subnet and gateway and that didn't get me on the network either. Tried "refresh and renew" with no success either. The hub's link lite is on when the machine is on. I suspect my NIC driver is ok since I have actually connected a few times. Any ideas anyone? This machine from the router, thru a switch and then a hub (it's in the garage)with other systems on the same hub working perfect. am I just missing some simple setting somewhere?

[M_Six]

I would strongly suggest you go to SP5 or 6a. Many problems were solved by those two SP's. SP3 was not that great.

[DVNT1]

Another place to check is the patch cable to that workstation. It may have a poor connection within the RJ45 coupler or a slight break in the wire someplace. The hub light isn't always accurate to show a good/bad cable.

[Imanage]

A couple of things to try....

Make sure you only have the IP protocol loaded and configured for DHCP. Apply the service pack again after you loaded the drivers for the NIC and see if you can get service pack 4 or higher.

Make sure all of your pcs are in the same "workgroup" name

Check the NT permissions on your share to be set for everyone. Make a new share besides the default administrative NT share which is C$ and is hidden in network neighborhood.

Hope this helps...