WinMe isolated from network

[juanfd]

Hello I have a network that includes 2 winxp home machines, 1 win98 machine and today i tried to set up a win me machine.
I am using static IPs, so i assigned 192.168.1.4 (which was free) to the Me machine. Assigned also de subnet mask as the other machines, the workgroup is set ok too... i restarted and... then it asked me for the ms network pwd... which i have no idea what it is, so i tried to put anohter username and assigned a pwd to that username. I had no access to the network, i could'nt see the other pcs and when i tried to see all the network, it said it can't browse it.
So now i think i am stuck, should I create a lmhosts file? that's what i did on the win98 machine for it to work correctly... there is a pc that has a firewall but the port have been opened... or maybe there are some that haven't, can anybody tell me what ports should be left open to allow ms file/printer sharing to work properly?
thanks in advance for any help, tip or trick provided!

 

[wolluf]

' then it asked me for the ms network pwd' - did you Escape or cancel out of this box, or actually supply a username/password? (you can supply any username/password - if it doesn't exist as user on ME machine already, you will be prompted to agree it as a windows username/password too).

Basically, you need to supply logon details to this box - because its where you are connecting to the network. If you escape/cancel out, you just log on locally.

If did actually log on - can you ping the other machines?

 

[juanfd]

Wolluf, thanks for your response. Yes I did supply the details, but nothing. I cannot ping the other machines, but the other machines can see the Me machine on my network places, but can't access it or ping it... weird uh?

 

[wolluf]

I'd try the tactic I always use(d) with 9x/ME networking (don't have much to do with 9x/ME now) - remove and reinstall networking on the problem machine. Its solved similar problems on a number of occasions for me (I don't know why - but it can work).

 

[juanfd]

Wolluf thanks for your advice but unfortunately it didn't work. Now, I do have access to the network but even as the workgroup name and the subnet mask are the same in all the machines, and that the ip is free... the Me machine just shows the workgroup and within it only its own name... "Aslender" and thats it.
I cannot ping from the me machine nor from the other machines to it, but the other machines DO see the "Aslender" name under my network places... but can't connect...

PLEASE HELP! I am going nuts with this and they are putting a lot of pressure on me ;(

thanks!

 

[mattjurado]

Question, do you have xp firewall on? If so, this is the likely culprit preventing your pinging.

Also, whatever name/password you are using on the me machine, you need to create on the xp boxes.

An lmhosts file is always a plus, but I think the above need to be looked at first.

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]

You have got all IP addresses in the same range/ same subnet?

The NIC in the ME machine is ok/configured properly (if you have a spare, I'd certainly try it. The fact that ME machine is showing up on network from other machines shows something is working! But, if card is partly defective, not configured correctly. You also don't mention how network is physically set up - presuming you have a router/switch/hub which all machines connect to. Are there any speed compatibility issues - eg, is everything 10/100mbs, or do you have older NIC/hub which is only 10?).

As you can't ping 98 machine, XP firewall is unlikely to be the issue. Also XP home uses simplified sharing, which doesn't require matching logons from 9x/ME machines, so that shouldn't be problem either.

I'd try swapping NIC from one of other machines and try just 2 machines connected to hub/switch/router - ME and one other (and makes sure both have at least one resource - drive/folder/printer - shared of course). If you get that connection working, you should be well on your way!