networking two 98se computers. password problem?

Have two computers running 98se and want to share all files and printers. Bought an etherlink kit and used the "how to" guide net2pc I got from duxcw to get connected. tried everything I can think of and no joy. cannot find the other computer. Tried another kit and still no joy. Frustrated!!! Have worked carefully through the guide several times
Then thought of th network password I get when booting. I think these are set to blank, but not sure. (failing brain?)
How can I tell if this is the problem. How can I reset the password if I do not know the original.
help would really be appreciated
Don

1. RE: networking two 98se computers. password problem?
lbyard May-02-02 10:25 AM
In response to message 0

>How can I tell if this is the problem.
Are you being prompted to log into Windows or the Client for Microsoft Networking? Larry

2. RE: networking two 98se computers. password problem?
don mitchelmore May-02-02 10:24 PM
In response to message 1

Hi Larry
Both computers come up with dialog box
"enter your network password for Microsoft networking"
Hope you can guide me on this
regards
Don Mitchelmore
NSW, Australia.

3. RE: networking two 98se computers. password problem?
lbyard May-03-02 10:55 AM
In response to message 2

You do not click the cancel button when it does that, do you? If you get past that point without canceling, logging in is not the problem. Many Ethernet adapters have a Link LED. Is it on solid? Others have a combination Link/Activity LED. It should be on solid most of the time and blink when there is network activity? Larry

4. RE: networking two 98se computers. password problem?
don mitchelmore May-03-02 05:56 PM
In response to message 3

Hi Larry, thanks for your reply. Can get past the opassword, so thanks, not that! That was really a combination of frustration and lack of knowledge!
The LEDs on both cards are on solid, all the time.
Have spent a lot more time trying to understand my problem, and find the following:
On booting both machines, SOMETIMES I can find the other computer, and sometimes not. This is true in both directions.
When I CAN find the other computer, sometimes I can get as far as the C drive and printer, but they will not open – the message is ”The network name is either not found on the running network, or is incorrect” Coming out of that, I get “The network name cannot be found”, Then “(Valspc) is not accessible. The computer sharename could not be found” or “The network is not accessible” .
Sometimes only one computer can find the other, and sometimes they will both find each other.
On ONE memorable occasion, I was able to access the files in the other computer and play a Wav !!!!!
The only other strange thing is that when I do get access to the other computer, both computers are listed under “Network (or neighbourhood network)” as well as Entire network --- Workgroup ---PCs
Can you guide me?
Regards
Don Mitchelmore

5. RE: networking two 98se computers. password problem?
lbyard May-03-02 09:35 PM
In response to message 4

Look for exclamation marks beside the network adapters in the Control Panel, System, Device Manager. See if http://duxcw.com/faq/network/brreq.htm has the answer. Larry

6. RE: networking two 98se computers. password problem?
don mitchelmore May-04-02 05:13 PM
In response to message 5

Hi Larry
Both network adapters are free of exclamation marks in device manager, and are "working properly".
Worked through "http://duxcw.com/faq/network/brreq.htm"; and am sure both machined are properly configured for Net BEUI.
browsmaster is set to automatic.
Read "Unable to browse network with the NetBEUI Protocol" and think I may have the "known Windows 98 problem" (Microsoft indicate it applies to W98 and me, and so presumably to 98se, which I am using),as I am getting similar messages to thopse quoted when I can (sometimes) connect and share computers , folders and files.
Should I configure TCO/IP as Microsoft advise?
If so can you point me to step-by-step instructions?
hey, many thanks for this
regards
Don Mitchelmore
(On the glorious South Coast of New South Wales in Australia)

7. RE: networking two 98se computers. password problem?
lbyard May-04-02 11:27 PM
In response to message 6

Actually, the symptoms better fit a problem with/defective network hardware component. Please describe the Etherlink kit or provide a link to the appropriate page on 3COM's site. Larry

8. RE: networking two 98se computers. password problem?
don mitchelmore May-05-02 04:07 PM
In response to message 7

Good morning Larry!
OK
My setup is:
Two PCs – a Celeron 433/128Mb/40 gig and my wife’s P133/32/2.0
Two NICs, both second hand 3Com etherlink111 ISA (3c509 /3c509b)
The network properties say that the one on the 433 is in ISA mode, and the one on the 133 is in PnP mode. The LEDs on both are on solid whilst the PCs are running.
The NICs are connected with a commercial crossover cable. I have tried two different cables without solving the problem.
I really appreciate for your perseverance, but would I best be advised to just go out and buy myself a couple of new fast NICs? I just got these second hand units as I thought it would be useful to share files and an iternet connection with my wife, but it's turning into a bigger deal than I thought.
On the other hand, if you think it's worthwhile, I'm happy to keep trying - I do enjoy the challenge of trying and learning.
Lovely day here.
Regards
Don Mitchelmore
I
Regards
Don Mitchelmore.

9. RE: networking two 98se computers. password problem?
lbyard May-06-02 09:50 AM
In response to message 8

>… would I best be advised to just go out and buy myself a couple of new fast NICs?
Although we can probably get them to work, I would suggest buying new ones. Get 100BASE-TX adapters. DLINK 530-TX+ adapters (http://duxcw.com/digest/Reviews/Network/dlink/dfe530txplus.htm) work well and cost little.
I was under the impression that the network kit was new. The problem is probably one of the following.
1. A bad crossover cable. Bad crossover cables account for, I would guess, at least 90% of these problems.
2. The ISA adapters are Novel compatible and Windows has erroneously set the Interrupt to 3, but the adapters are set for a different IRQ (http://duxcw.com/faq/network/combonic.htm).
3. The adapters are combo twisted-pair/coax adapters and they are set to use coax.
Larry