Win98se won't show a login screen

This is driving me nuts! I've done this a hundred times without a problem, this time I'm stumped.
I have 4 computers networked (Windows) , one win95, the rest 98se. Had problems with one of them, reinstalled windows, lots of grief etc, but now up and running. It has the same NIC (Kingston/Realtek)as before the reinstall. It's on Irq3 now, was on Irq11. TCP/IP protocol. Device mangager settings all reinput, no conflicts, computer name, workgroup, IP address, subnet, bindings, etc. etc. all same as before.
Primary login is Client for Microsoft Windows. File and print sharing enabled.
Now the weird stuff:
No login window on boot, but it boots OK to the desktop.
I can ping this and all other computers, router and jetdirect printer from this machine.
I can see this machine's files in Windows Explorer on other machines.
If I change the computer name on this machine to one already on the network, I get an error that the name is already in use (This is a good thing).
In Windows Explorer on this machine, if I click on Network Neighborhood, I get an error that MPREXE has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
What am I missing?

1. RE: Win98se won't show a login screen
lbyard Mar-04-02 01:02 PM
In response to message 0

The steps in this article: Error Message: MPREXE Not Responding (Q178084)at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q178084.
An easier fix may be to disable COM2 in the motherboard CMOS Setup (http://duxcw.com/faq/irq/irq.htm). Larry

2. RE: Win98se won't show a login screen
abnormal Mar-05-02 06:57 AM
In response to message 1

Larry:
Renamed password file, no luck.
I don't have a choice in the CMOS to disable COM ports.
Noticed that at the bottom of the Start menu, I have a "Log Off" choice. Tried it and then got a Login window. Entered the password, and it seemed to log me in to the network. However, only this machine shows up in Windows Explorer. I'm leaving it alone for awhile. Maybe the other computers will show up.

3. RE: Win98se won't show a login screen
abnormal Mar-07-02 09:52 AM
In response to message 1

Larry:
I don't have an option in my CMOS to disable COM ports.
I tried a couple of things, like renaming the password file.
Then I made things worse.
The other 3 computers were working OK. All could see the network printer, all could see each other.
The offending machine could only see the printer (and print to it) and itself.
I thought maybe starting from scratch might work, so I deleted all of the protocols and adapter info, shut down, removed the card, and rebooted. Seemed OK. The printer showed up in Win Explorer (odd), but of course was unreachable.
Reinstalled the card and booted. Win98 found the card, install went OK. Restarted OK.
Went to network neighborhood and wanted to create an entirely new workgroup. My prior settings were already there. My card was already bound to TCP/IP and my computer name, workgroup and description were filled in. (Where do they come from?) Created a new workgroup name, new computer name etc. Restarted. Still no login screen.
Went to one of the other computers (Win95), changed the workgroup to the new one. Restart wouldn't even boot. Hung on Login window. Went in safe mode, changed the workgroup back to original. Rebooted. Now it boots OK, but it doesn't see anything.
How do I get rid of all the prior settings and start over? I'd like to do this on all machines, except the printer. There are obviously some register settings I should delete. Do you know what they are? Other things?
TIA

4. RE: Win98se won't show a login screen
lbyard Mar-07-02 01:38 PM
In response to message 3

>There are obviously some register settings I should delete.
No, I have never had to do that, and you are asking for trouble. Just change workgroup and computer names, restart, and change them to what you want. Be sure you are using names that don't cause problems: http://duxcw.com/faq/network/names.htm.
What does the Network Configuration on the offending computer look like? Larry

5. RE: Win98se won't show a login screen
abnormal Mar-13-02 08:38 AM
In response to message 4

Larry:
Sorry to be so long getting this stuff. I've been working on this thing, checking cables, re crimping connections, going to the MS Knowledgebase, (found a corrupt dll), renamed the password file, etc. etc.
I've gotten it down to one problem.
When this machine ("Desktop") boots, it doesn't get a login screen, but seems to connect to the others on some level. I can ping everyone, but I can't see them in Win Explorer. If I click on Network Neighborhood, I get an error and mprexe shuts down. However, if I go to Start/Log Off XXX, it will log off, then I do get a login screen. I log on and everything's normal.
Win98 SE
Network settings:
Client: Client For Microsoft Networks (Primary logon)
File and Print Sharing For Microsoft Networks
Adapter: Realtek RTL8029 PCI Ethernet
Protocol:TCP/IP -> Realtek RTL8029 PCI Ethernet
Specify an IP Address: IP Addr = 192.168.123.170
Subnet = 255.255.255.0 (same as all others)
Disable Wins Resolution
No gateway
Disable DNS
Bindings: Client for Microsoft Networks
File and Print Sharing for Miscrosoft Networks
Advanced:
Allow Binding to ATM = Yes
Set this Protocol to be the default protocol - checked
Netbios - I want to enable Netbios over TCP/IP - checked/grayed
Advanced:
Browse Master - Automatic
LM Announce
General:
Logon and restore network connections - checked
Identification:
Computer name: Desktop (upper and lower case as typed)
Workgroup: capstone (all lower case)
Computer Description: Norm's Desk (upper and lower case as typed)
Access Control:
Share level access control - checked
Running IPCONFIG shows:
Host name - DESKTOP (all upper)
DNS Servers - blank
Node type - Broadcast
NETBIOS Scope ID - blank
IP Routing enabled - unchecked
WINS proxy enabled - unchecked
NETBIOS Resolution Uses DNS - unchecked
Ethernet Adapter info:
Realtek RTL8029 Ethernet Adapter
Adapter Address - 52-54-00-DB-9D-B4
IP Address - 192.168.123.170
Subnet Mask - 255.255.255.0
Everything else is blank
Release and renew buttons are grayed
Release all and Renew all - active
If I try to Renew All I get a popup:
IP Configuration Error 32: Renewing Adapter '"' but I don't know if it's referring to this adapter or the AOL adapter or the VPN adapter.
No conflicts in Device Manager.

6. RE: Win98se won't show a login screen
lbyard Mar-13-02 01:14 PM
In response to message 5

As you have found out, and according to Microsoft, and simply put, one cannot do Microsoft networking unless the computer is logged onto Windows or the Client for Microsoft Networking.(period) The logon can be automated so the user does not have to do it or even see the logon prompt, but it has to take place or none of the Microsoft Networking (browse the network neighborhood, share files, etc.) can take place.
Ok, do the registry thing… http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q141858 Larry

7. RE: Win98se won't show a login screen
abnormal Mar-15-02 07:38 AM
In response to message 6

Thanks, Larry that did the trick. I looked all over the knowledgebase, but never found that article.

8. RE: Win98se won't show a login screen
BBATES Mar-29-02 10:00 AM
In response to message 7

I had the exact same problem and this thread helped me! I ended up having to edit the regestry as well to fix my problem. Nothing else would work.

9. RE: Win98se won't show a login screen
lbyard Mar-29-02 01:08 PM
In response to message 8

I'd appreciate it if someone would elaborate tell us which registry entries in the Microsoft article fixed the problem. Larry