Networking ME with XP

[Segwyne]

Hi,

I told by a friend last night that this is probably the place to get help. I just got a new computer with Windows XP, and my old computer has Windows ME. I have no problem networking two ME machines, but XP and ME don't seem to want to connect. I can get both of them to recognize my wired router, and both can access the internet, but I can't get them to network together. I tried tech support for my router and they were no help at all. It would have helped if the lady I spoke with understood the word "yes". I have a Linksys router if that makes any difference. Thank you so much.

Segwyne

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

New XP machines will come with the built-in firewall turned on, which will likely stop the ME machine from seeing it. In XP, under Control Panel->Windows Firewall, you'll need to turn on file and printer sharing under the 'Exceptions' tab. You can also turn it off while debugging the problem if that doesn't fix it.

Make sure both have IP addresses on the same subnet (eg, the first three numbers are the same, and the last is different) and that the subnet is correct. You can verify this by using the netconfig command in ME (I think) and the ipconfig command in XP. This all should be correct -- both computers should be getting the correct info from the Linksys router, but it never hurts to check.

You'll also want them to be members of the same workgroup (which can be set in Control Panel->System->Computer Name in XP; not sure where it is in ME -- might be under Control Panel -> Network Connections).

Then try pinging each machine from the other. If the IP address for the XP machine is 192.168.1.101, then from the command prompt on the ME machine, type 'ping 192.168.1.101'. Reverse the process and ping the ME machine from the XP computer.

Unfortunately, Windows ME is flaky as hell, and Windows 95/98/ME peer-to-peer networking was never the most reliable thing to begin with.

 

[ssampier]

Close. The IP command for Win9x system (95, 98, Me) is

winipcfg

Find your card at the top (it will usually say PPP adapter first, change it to the adapter labeled NIC or ethernet adapter). There is your IP address.

You should be on the same subnet with a router unless you have a specified IP address somewhere on either machine. To check if you have a specified IP address:

In Windows XP, click on Start, Control Panel, Network Connections. Right-click on Local Area connection, left-click on Properties. Click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). If there are numbers listed, change it to obtain IP address automatically. Click OK.

In Windows Me, click on Start, Settings, Control Panel. Click on Network. Find something labeled TCP/IP -> NIC or ethernet adapter. Click on Properties. If there are numbers listed, change it to obtain IP address automatically. Click OK.

 

[Segwyne]

Thank you so much. Once my husband is done playing some single player, I will try that. Thanks again.

 

[Segwyne]

That worked. Thank you. Now, though, we are having trouble getting Diablo II to connect for each computer. I tried the advice at the Blizzard website, but it doesn't seem to help. But thank you very much for getting my computers to connect otherwise.

Segwyne