ME Networking Problems

[TBOB]

Have a network with 1 98SE machine, 1 XP machine, and 2 ME machines. All connected on a switch. Good physical connectivity. The problem is the 2 ME machines. One can see the workgroup, but I can not get it to access the Internet. It keeps displaying 'the page cannot be displayed'. The other ME machine gets on the Internet fine, but I can't see the workgroup under EntireNetwork. I can find the other pc's when I type the UNC from 'run'. Tell me what other info you may need to help. Been through a ton of forums to try and find this, but can't seem to find the one. Thanks in advance.

Tony

 

[mattjurado]

First, make sure you assing a static IP, DNS, and Gateway on all 4 machines. This should get all 4 connected to the web. If not, then from the machine with the problem, ping 4.2.2.1, and then try ping

http://www.google.com.

Post back with the results you get of each.

As for browsing, I would typically just slap NetBEUI on a workgroup of this size.

Matt J.

Please always take the time to backup any and all data before performing any actions suggested for ANY problem, regardless of how minor a change it might seem. Also test the backup to make sure it is intact.

 

[wolluf]

My approach with 9x/ME networking is to completely remove & reinstall it if its not working properly (don't use either much now - but reached this opinion after spending many hours trying to 'fix' network.

How are the machines connected to the internet? You say you have a switch - so is it ICS via the XP machine, or do you have a router?

If you've been trying for ages, you've probably been given usual checklists:-

Client for Microsoft Networks installed
TCP/IP installed (preferably no other network protocol)
If using ICS or a router which acts as DHCP server, machines set to pick up IP address automatically
Machines in same workgroup.
File (and optionally printer) sharing installed on the LAN connection.

As I said at the top - I'd remove all networking elements, then let windows find and reinstall - making sure its set up as above.

If your setup is unusual in any way (eg, you're using static IP addresses or have netbeui as well as TCP/IP or both), please post back wioth details.

 

[TBOB]

OK, got the one ME to "see" the network. Both ME's had IPX/SPX on it. I removed those protocols, re-booted and that seemed to have done it. Either that it or it heard me threaten to replace it with XP. Had those on because another forum said ME needed it to be. I think the problem with the non-Internet machine lies in the network adapters listed. When I run winipcfg, the only adapter that shows up is the NDIS 5.0 with the IP Routing Enabled. The ethernet adapter is not there, but it is in the network configuration window. The NDIS 1394 Net Adapter is there too. Tried to delete it but it gets restored upon bootup. Did a little poking around on the web, but haven't anything helpful. Mostly similar complaints and questions. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Tony

 

[wolluf]

So you've got one machine working ok, the other sees the network but can't connect to internet? Is that right? And winipcfg is showing no details for the ethernet adapter on this machine? This machine now has only TCP/IP protocol - and is set to pick up ip address automatically? (you still haven't given us details of how the network is configured - router/ICS/static or auto IP addresses).

 

[TBOB]

Ok, we have Sprint DSL Router -> Switch -> PC's. All PC's set to Obtain IP Automatically from DHCP server of the DSL router. Client for MS Networks, TCP/IP, NetBeui, & File/Print Sharing. Workgroups all the same on each.

Tony

 

[mattjurado]

I still say for a network that size you should assign static ips. Having said that, I don't think its the cause of your problem. If the network adapter does not show in winipcfg, something is wrong. I think wolluf's original idea of removing ALL network components on that one computer is the way to go. I would even reinstall the driver for the network card while you are at it. If that fails to resolve it, please post back if that machine can ping anything or not (try both and ip outside in the real world, and a domain name)

Matt J.

Please always take the time to backup any and all data before performing any actions suggested for ANY problem, regardless of how minor a change it might seem. Also test the backup to make sure it is intact.

 

[wolluf]

Are you actually using netbeui? (you don't need it for what you are doing). I'm just wondering if just netbeui is working on the problem machine - that would explain it seeing the network but not the internet.

With your setup, I'd just have TCP/IP installed on each machine (extra network protocols are just an overhead, apart from anything else). The only reason I could see for using netbeui as well would be if you were using fixed ISP supplied IP addresses on each machine (ie, external internet ones). You'd then need another protocol for the LAN - netbeui. But as you've got a router serving local IP addresses, TCP/IP is all you need (we have a similar setup to you at home - though only one (test) ME machine, and it runs no problem with just TCP/IP).

 

[dbMark]

I found that sometimes I lose the IP if the computer hasn't been used for a few days. Have you tried:

IPCONFIG /RELEASE_ALL
IPCONFIG /RENEW_ALL

Also, IPX/SPX was mostly used by Novell networks. If you don't have a specific need for them, then remove those protocols. TCP/IP is more common today.