15 pc network / strange happenings

[ausmark]

I have been asked to look at a friends office network to sort out some problems. It has about 15 pc's linked via 2 Intel hubs with no specific file server. Although 1 of the pc's has a cd which most of them need access to. This is where everything gets weird, Running a network search from the pc with the cd inserted lists about 7 of the systems. Not all running through the same hub. Not all of the pc's listed can access the cd and some of the ones that don't show up can. A couple of the pc's on the network list others but can't access anything and others show nothing but have no problems mapping to others.
I've gone through and checked protocols and network names etc. everything seems correct but obviously I'm missing something.
The network is a mix of win 95/98 and ME.

Any ideas

Thanks in advance

Mark

[Nukes]

How are the hubs linked? With a Uplink cable? if so is it attached correctly to the right sockets in the hub?
It should go as follows:
Normal Port -> Uplink port = Straight cable
Uplink -> Uplink = Crossover cable
Normal -> Normal = Crossover cable

To appear in network neibourhood, all the machines require File and print sharing enabled AND something shared from them.
You have alreadyt said they are all in correct workgroup etc.
Are there any duplicate IP addresses and IPX must be installed on the 98/ME machines to see the Win95 ones.

[kwebb]

"IPX must be installed on the 98/ME machines to see the Win95 ones"

Perhaps this solved a resolution issue for you but it is not true as fact at all. I prefer a hosts file for resolution issues on a LAN as small as the one mentioned in the post. Bottom line is, IPX is not required for anything unless you have legacy games that require it or a pre Netware 5 Novell server.

[Nukes]

Except 95 uses it for it's file sharing instead of TCP/IP that 98/ME/2k/XP use.

[kwebb]

Thats crazy bra. You can use either as your transmission protocol for file sharing on any of those OS's and neither is required for simple file sharing. YOu can use NetBEUI if you like. Only one is required. No specific one just to share files. TCP/IP is needed for internet sharing and if you have a Novell server or some legacay games IPX is sometimes required. Might want to look into getting some new knowledge references.

Edit:

The only exception might be XP. Not sure if you can remove IP or not. Never tried and if you wanna use NetBEUI you have to add from the CD. Who told you all this anyway? lol

[DVNT1]

Regarding the protocols, Kwebb is completely right (as usual).


As for your problem ausmark, if all the basics are in place then it is probably a Master Browser issue.

Basic's being... have MS File & Print Sharing enabled on all PCs; Having a common protocol installed (with the File & Print Sharing bound to it...which is the defualt setting; actually logging into the PCs at the network logon prompt (don't hit cancel or ESC); using the same Workgroup name is strongly recomended but not mandatory;


Master Browser issue...disable the Master Browser on all but one PC that should be on all the time. On that PC specifically enable the Master Browser. If you have a NT/W2K?XP machine on the LAN allow it to be the Master Browser.

In place of improving the Master Browser elections you could add NETBEUI to all PCs or use modify the HOST files on each machine and map the drives.

[ausmark]

Thanks for your help guys . I will try the master browse option and also set each ip address so as they don't get doubled up. I'll let you now how I go on Tuesday..

Mark