Cross-over cable and Win98SE

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David_UK

New Member
Can 2 PC's both running 98SE be networked with a cross-over cable? Neither of mine see the other in 'Network Neighbourhood'. I have checked LAN is installed in windows on both machines, the NIC is recognised and enabled in 'System' and the cable was plugged in before the PC's were switched on.
I'm grateful for any advice.
(The cable is ok - it was successfully used to copy files between an XP and a 98SE machine using the copy wizard.)
 
i have the same question, you could mostlikely use software but can i use a serial cable or printer cable instead of lan, i dont know, someone help!
 
Yes. Your version of Windows is irrelavent. If the crossover cable isn't working then something is wrong with your configuration. Make sure you have the same protocols installed on both machines and that you have file and printer sharing turn on.
Also, even though they aren't showing up in network neighborhood type get the computer name from the other computer and type \\<computer name> in the address bar or your explorer window. It may come up that way. Windows 98 is retarded like that.

For example if your computer's name is BOB on the network type \\BOB

If you'd like you can go straight to the shared folder like this. If your C: drive is shared and you have its shared name as "c" you can type \\BOB\c and it should go straight there if it's configured correctly.

But the crossover cable is moot. Your computer doesn't know the difference.
 
Super_Nova
Ok. I didn't know about setting the file sharing bit. Both PCs have many protocols on common, but are not identical. Both have Microsoft File Sharing.
One PC will open the network when i click the network neighbourhood icon, but only shows itself. The other gives an error when clicking the neighbourhood icon saying 'the network cannot be browsed'.
I am a complete beginner at networking so I may be missing something fundamental. One of the PC's is second hand and I dont have the login for the previous user - I have made a new user which I select at startup - will this interfere with the networking?
Thanks
 
Ok. I found a couple of online tutorials which sorted me out. This is what I did to network 2 pc's using a crossover cable.
1. Install network cards in both pc's with drivers. Do not connect them yet.
2. Check LAN networking is installed as an optional windows component.
3. Network neighbourhood > properties. Check that 'Client for windows networking' is listed. If not click 'add' then 'microsoft' and choose from list. Check too that 'NetBeui' is listed in the protocols. It prob wont be so 'add', 'microsoft' to install it. Remove NetBeui for dial up adapter and any other listed. Only have it for the NIC card. Remove TCP/IP for the NIC if it is listed (you can always add it again'. OK all of these and you will prob be prompted for the win98 CD. If it cant find the files it wants, tell it to look in D:\win98 (if D is CD drive). In the logon field choose 'Client for windows/microsoft networking'. In file and printer sharing select what you want. You will need to restart. At the first reboot you'll be asked to enter password for networking - leave it blank if you dont want one. OK this alert - dont cancel it. Subsequently you wil have to logon at this stage using the same USER and Password.
4. Do the same for the other Pc. NetBeui is a simple protocol which does not need further setting up. Both PC's need the client and the same protocol.
5. Shut both machines down fully. Connect cable. Start one PC and allow to bott up fully, and logon. Then start other PC.
6. You should be able to see the other PC in network neighbourhood. You can only see folders which are SHARED. Right click a folder on your PC, select sharing > shared. Then the other user can see it.

This is basic stuff and most people here will know it all, but it took me a while to achieve a simple connection so it might be useful for others.
 
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