Network newbie, Windows-98SE

I have a desktop and laptop (with Netgear wireless card)
both with Windows 98SE (up-to-date with patches). I
installed a Netgear 802.1b router for DSL connection last
Dec (rural area and just became available).

I would like now to provide print and file sharing between
the two. I followed the MS knowledge base articles (814235-
814242) on setting up a network with the exception of
assigning IP addresses (I left the assign automatically
option checked).

If the desktop is on and the laptop is powered off, the
desktop can see itself in the network neighborhood. If the
laptop is then powered on the network for neighorhood goes
into search mode and can not find any computers. The
reverse is true if the laptop is powered up first.

Winipcfg for the laptop = 192.168.0.2 and 192.168.0.3 for
the desktop.

I'm sure it's something simple; but, I've been around the
barn (Windows help, MS knowledge base, web pages, etc.)
and back to square zero....

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jim Tinder

You could try installing NETBUEI like I did on my computers. I had a similar problem I could see my computer but not the other computer and sometimes not anything at all. Check this site out it may help you out
http://www.duxcw.com/digest/Howto/ne...t2pc/intro.htm



"Jim Tinder" wrote in message ...
I have a desktop and laptop (with Netgear wireless card)
both with Windows 98SE (up-to-date with patches). I
installed a Netgear 802.1b router for DSL connection last
Dec (rural area and just became available).

I would like now to provide print and file sharing between
the two. I followed the MS knowledge base articles (814235-
814242) on setting up a network with the exception of
assigning IP addresses (I left the assign automatically
option checked).

If the desktop is on and the laptop is powered off, the
desktop can see itself in the network neighborhood. If the
laptop is then powered on the network for neighorhood goes
into search mode and can not find any computers. The
reverse is true if the laptop is powered up first.

Winipcfg for the laptop = 192.168.0.2 and 192.168.0.3 for
the desktop.

I'm sure it's something simple; but, I've been around the
barn (Windows help, MS knowledge base, web pages, etc.)
and back to square zero....

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jim Tinder

On Thu, 29 Jul 2004 11:13:09 -0700, "Jim Tinder"
wrote:

If the desktop is on and the laptop is powered off, the
desktop can see itself in the network neighborhood. If the
laptop is then powered on the network for neighorhood goes
into search mode and can not find any computers. The
reverse is true if the laptop is powered up first.

Go into file and printer sharing properties.

The machine which is on most of the time set master browser to
enabled. The other one set to auto.


Jim.

I second James' advice. The symptoms you describe are caused by a browser
election on the network. If you turn on both computers and then walk away
for fifteen minutes you'll see that you can browse everything normally, so
designating the "always-or-almost-always-on" PC as the master browser will
eliminate this problem.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Jim Tinder" wrote in message
...
I have a desktop and laptop (with Netgear wireless card)
both with Windows 98SE (up-to-date with patches). I
installed a Netgear 802.1b router for DSL connection last
Dec (rural area and just became available).

I would like now to provide print and file sharing between
the two. I followed the MS knowledge base articles (814235-
814242) on setting up a network with the exception of
assigning IP addresses (I left the assign automatically
option checked).

If the desktop is on and the laptop is powered off, the
desktop can see itself in the network neighborhood. If the
laptop is then powered on the network for neighorhood goes
into search mode and can not find any computers. The
reverse is true if the laptop is powered up first.

Winipcfg for the laptop = 192.168.0.2 and 192.168.0.3 for
the desktop.

I'm sure it's something simple; but, I've been around the
barn (Windows help, MS knowledge base, web pages, etc.)
and back to square zero....

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jim Tinder