Win98SE ICS works but computers do not see each other

LAST EDITED ON Feb-21-01 AT 06:43 PM (GMT)
Larry,
I had set up Win98 SE ICS on my two AMD K6/MVP3 chipset puters (host has Linksys LNE100TX and NC100 NIC's, client has NC100 NIC) several months ago and ICS and file/printer sharing worked fine. I recently bought a new 40 GB ATA 100 hard drive for my host puter and did a clean install of a new Win98 SE that I bought with the new drive. I also installed the VIA miniport & AGP update in Windows.
I did all the same steps that I did in the previous installation for the network (Client for MS Networks, TCP/IP & NetBEUI binding to the NIC's, File & Printer sharing for MS networks, etc) in the host (also tried without the NetBEUI binding), but I am unable to get the two puters to see each other in the network. They can only see themselves. Doing a search for the other computer just turns up a blank. Ditto with refreshing screens, logging out & then in to MS networking. Just for the heck of it, I installed ICS and was surprised to find that it works fine/fast in the client puter.
I did not reinstall the network in the client because I did not think it should matter.
And I can plop my old hard drive back into the host and the network as well as ICS work fine.
Would appreciate any suggestions.

1. RE: Win98SE ICS works but computers do not see each other
lbyard Feb-21-01 07:56 PM
In response to message 0

Well, we know the problem is on the new hard disk drive. Check the work group names. Are the LEDs showing a LINK and Activity? Share the new hard disk. Larry

2. RE: Win98SE ICS works but computers do not see each other
copperpipe Feb-22-01 07:18 AM
In response to message 1

Larry,
I feel so dumb - Zonealarm that was blocking my network! I do not remember having this problem earlier, but then my memory is not as good as it used to be either. I configured the local zone properties to allow ICS and the network NIC, and then everything worked fine.
I also have a new problem now: my 3D gaming (standalone games, not online gaming) has slowed down significantly although I have yet to confirm that the larger hard drive is the culprit. I know the K6 chips are not good for gaming. But then this discussion topic belongs in another forum.
In any case, thank you for your help. I know that helping others here takes a lot of your time and effort.

3. RE: Win98SE ICS works but computers do not see each other
lbyard Feb-22-01 03:14 PM
In response to message 2

I must be getting forgetful also. I've seen the ZoneAlarm problem before. The VIA AGP driver may have something to do with games slowing down. Be sure DMA is turned on for the new hard disk. Larry

4. RE: Win98SE ICS works but computers do not see each other
copperpipe Feb-22-01 04:47 PM
In response to message 3

Thanks for the suggestion about the VIA AGP driver - I will try some experimenting with that.
DMA was enabled in BIOS and in Windows, so I don't think that is the problem. The sluggishness in gameplay doesn't seem to be symptomatic of slow drive access/transfer rates. It seems to be more like a memory/CPU/video type of slowdown. So I think your suggestion about the VIA AGP driver might solve the problem.