home network

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Arnie

Any way to network two home pc's, first one is a Compaq
running XP home edition and the other is an IBM running
95.
Thanks
 
Arnie said:
Any way to network two home pc's, first one is a Compaq
running XP home edition and the other is an IBM running
95.
Thanks
Click to expand...


Yes. All versions of windows can network with each other.
There are many websites, but here are some pointers to get started.
( I seem to be in a mood for a lecture... )

Networks are built up in layers, and we need to get
each layer right before we can move on to the next.

1) Hardware.
Install the network card in each machine, and ensure the
latest drivers are loaded. Look in device manager, and
ensure there are no problems listed against the network card.
Proceed no further untill this is the case.

2) Cabling.
Connect the 2 machines directly with a special 'crossover' cable,
or via a hub/switch/router using a pair of regular 'straight-through'
cables.
This needs to result in a 'link' light on each network card.
Proceed no further untill this is the case.

3) Protocols.
Here's where we may need to work a bit.

The 2 machines need to talk the same 'language' or 'protocol'.
And the default protocol has changed since 95.
XP uses TCP/IP by default, and 95 used NetBEUI
( If I Recall Correctly. )
We will use TCP/IP.

Let's start with XP.
Go to the control panel, network connections folder.
The network card installation should show as a 'Local Area Connection'.
R-click the Local Area Connection, select Properties.
In the list of items, scroll down if necessary, and double-click TCP/IP.
Change the setting to "Use the following IP address".
Enter:
IP Address: 192.168.0.1
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Leave the rest blank.
OK your way out.
In the Local Area Connection properties, on the Advanced tab,
ensure both firewall and sharing are disabled.

That's all you need to do on XP.

Now, on 95:
R-click Network Neighbourhood, Properties.
You need to see:
Your Network Card;
TCP/IP;
Client for Microsoft Networks;
File And Print Sharing for MS Netowrks;
And nothing else.

Most likely, you have:
Your Network Card;
NetBEUI;
Client for Microsoft Networks.

First, we must install TCP/IP if it's missing.
( Working from memory here: )
Click Add | Protocol | Microsoft | TCP/IP.

Now, remove NetBEUI ( if present. )
Select it, and click Delete.

Now, to enable F+P sharing.
Click the F+P sharing button, check both boxes.
That should bring up F+P sharing.

Now to configure TCP/IP.
Dbl-click TCP/IP.
On the 'IP Address' tab, enter:
IP Address: 192.168.0.2
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

OK out of that.
No doubt, you will have re-booted 95 100 times by now :-)

The 2 machines are now set up to work with TCP/IP.
As a check, go to a command prompt ( ms dos window )
on each machine.

On XP, ping the 95 box with this command:
ping 192.168.0.2

On 95, ping the XP box with this command:
ping 192.168.0.1

These should give 4 replies each.
Proceed no further untill this is the case.

4) Configure NetBIOS stuff.

On each machine, ensure it has a network name.
Use 15 characters, or less.
Use only letters or numbers, no spaces or wierd characters.
A dash is OK.

On XP:
R-click My Computer, Proprties.
Computer Name tab.
Change button.
Enter a sensible name.
like WINXP-PC.

Also enter a sensible Workgroup name.
like HOME.

OK that.

On 95:
R-click Network Neighbourhood, Properties.
Identification tab.
Enter a sensible name:
like WIN95-PC

Enter the same Workgoup name.
like HOME.

OK that.
( mandatory reboot later... )

Check NetBIOS is working by pinging the names, rather than the addresses
now.
GO back to the command prompts.

On XP, ping the 95 box with this command:
ping WIN95-PC

On 95, ping the XP box with this command:
ping WINXP-PC

These should give 4 replies each, like before.
Proceed no further untill this is the case.

5) Check browsing is working.
If it all worked up to here, then :

On XP:
go into "My Network Places"
Select 'View Workgroup Computers' on the left.

On 95:
Go into Network Neighbourhood.

These should show both computers.

You should now be able to right-click folders
on each machine, and share them.
Note: Use Share Names of 12 characters or less.

Then , when you browse the workgroup, you can
double-click the machine to see the shared folders on it.

And that's about it :-)
 
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