Connecting two laptops
 

Does anyone know how to connect two laptops, one has Windows 98, the other XP. I have tried via ethernet using a crossover cable but no dice. Thought about serial connection but can't figure how to set up the port on the 98 machine. Anyone?? TIA. SmileWavy

Wayne C.

Crossover is tough to set up.

If you have a router, just connect them both to the router, and share the resources you want to share.

Crossover should be a breeze as long as both machines are on the same subnet, although 98 could potentially be a little iffy.

Both machines should also be in the same workgroup.

The XP firewall that shipped in XP SP2 could cause problems as well, so you might want to disable it for troubleshooting purposes.

You're not too specific about what you've tried and what your problems were, so add more and we'll try to get you sorted out.

ianc

It's been a couple years now, and desktops with a crossover.....as memory serves I had to disable/remove the M98's native networking and setup the 98 machine with a floppy made from the XP machine.
I think I got alll the directions from the XP networking help menus.

On the Windows 98 computers, open up a command prompt, type winipcnfg. What do you see in the IP address field?

Om the Windows XP computer, open up a command prompt, type ipconfig. What do you see in the IP address field?

The 98 command did not work.

For XP IP 192.168.1.101.

Thanks guys, I'll think I'll try the router and share resource, see if that will work.

Wayne

sorry about that. Its WINIPCFG.

Been a little while since I have touched an 98 box.... :)

btw, if you can plug both computers into your local router, that can make it easier. If they are left to the defaults, windows boxes will automatically get their address from a local DHCP server.

Translation? Both computers will be on the same network, so you don't have to screw around with giving them addresses.

If your trying to move data from the old machine to the new machine, go to your local computer store and buy a 2 1/2" USB hard drive enclosure - $20-$30.

Mount the old hard drive in the enclosure and connect to a USB port on the new machine. It will be recognized as mass storage device and will be assigned a drive letter ( E: drive for ex.).

Then just move the files from the old drive directly to the new drive. No cables, software or drivers needed.

I found a USB hard drive, 250 gig, on sale for $60 or so at Frys. Use it when a network or WiFi is not available. Also works as a good stand alone backup unit.

JoeA

Windows 98 wants to use NetBIOS as its default protocol. Windows XP uses TCP-IP by default. Make sure you have a common protocol. You may have to either add TCP-IP to '98 or NetBIOS to the XP machine.

I think what you mean is that 98 uses Netbui as its default protocol. Netbios provides name resolution.

I can't recall if Windows 98 installs TCP/IP by default, but XP does not support Netbui.

LOL, right you are about netbeui and netbios. Too bad it wasn't routeable because it is fast and easy.

But you can run netbeui on XP: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;301041&sd=tech

Pretty sure you have to add TCP to '98 and that is clearly the easier way unless Curlesw doesn't understand segment and subnets. Then Netbeui is just plug and play between 2 PC's.

Thanks guys...got it connected via the router...not sure why I didn't think of that the first time.

Wayne C.