Adding An Windows XP To a LAN

microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web

3 Aug 2006 12:49 AM

jaygreg

Need help getting one of 3 computers back onto my LAN please. Has a WIN95,
WIN98SE, and Windows XP tied together via cable, router, then switch with
these three machines plugged in. I set it up about two years ago so the
setup isn't fresh in my mind. The most used XP was hit by a virus so it was
debugged and reformatted then Windows XP Professional installed (originally
was HE). I've browsed the network setup help topics but am not sure which
ones I should be following. They appear to be focused on setting up a
network. I simply want to join the one I created long ago. There is mention
made of one computer becoming the host. I'm not sure if I did that with the
WIN98SE machine or the XP. I do know that when I go to the other two
machines, they still see each other on the LAN even though the XP no longer
appears. I'm trying to be as secure as practical this time. The XP is
running NOD32 antivirus but I just ran a wizard yesterday that I think
activated the XP firewall.

Q1) How do I check?

My plan was to replace that firewall with Zone Alarms so I'll have to delve
into how to remove XP's and install ZA as well. I mention that now in the
event it's a consideration in my getting the XP back on the LAN. I'm not
sure but it may have to be made the ICS (internet connection sharing) host .

Q2) Can someone point me in the right direction and/or give me a thumbnail
sketch of the steps I need to take please. I'm concerned about starting that
Network Connection wizard and finding I just created something I didn't need
and have gummed up the works.

3 Aug 2006 1:05 AM

Richard G. Harper

Just right-click My Computer and select Properties, then the Computer Name
tab, then the Change button. Change the workgroup name on the
newly-installed PC to be the same as the other two, then reboot. It may
take some time for the network to "settle down" after rebooting and browsing
should then work as you expect.

Show quoteHide quote

"jaygreg" <jaygre***@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:u2pLdbptGHA.1888@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Need help getting one of 3 computers back onto my LAN please. Has a WIN95,
> WIN98SE, and Windows XP tied together via cable, router, then switch with
> these three machines plugged in. I set it up about two years ago so the
> setup isn't fresh in my mind. The most used XP was hit by a virus so it
> was
> debugged and reformatted then Windows XP Professional installed
> (originally
> was HE). I've browsed the network setup help topics but am not sure which
> ones I should be following. They appear to be focused on setting up a
> network. I simply want to join the one I created long ago. There is
> mention
> made of one computer becoming the host. I'm not sure if I did that with
> the
> WIN98SE machine or the XP. I do know that when I go to the other two
> machines, they still see each other on the LAN even though the XP no
> longer
> appears. I'm trying to be as secure as practical this time. The XP is
> running NOD32 antivirus but I just ran a wizard yesterday that I think
> activated the XP firewall.
>
> Q1) How do I check?
>
> My plan was to replace that firewall with Zone Alarms so I'll have to
> delve
> into how to remove XP's and install ZA as well. I mention that now in the
> event it's a consideration in my getting the XP back on the LAN. I'm not
> sure but it may have to be made the ICS (internet connection sharing) host
> .
>
> Q2) Can someone point me in the right direction and/or give me a thumbnail
> sketch of the steps I need to take please. I'm concerned about starting
> that
> Network Connection wizard and finding I just created something I didn't
> need
> and have gummed up the works.
>
>

3 Aug 2006 3:14 AM

jaygreg

I didn't think it would be that easy, Richard. I hoped it would ... but it
wasn't. I've done nothing with the network setup wizards since reinstalling
Windows. I did notice when Windows XP Professional installed it
automatically assigned the computer a name and assigned it to a workgroup it
named "WORKGROUP". If I go to my WIN98SE machine and look at the network
group, I find not only the original group with the WIN98SE and WIN95
machines listed but another group called... WORKGROUP. When I click on that
one, I get a message telling me:

"WORKGROUP is not accessible. The computer or sharename could not be found.
Make sure you typed it correctly and try again."

This is probably due to the fact I changed the computer name to what it was
before I reformated the hard drive and I changed the name of the workgroup
to the name of the only one I had prior to the appearance of "WORKGROUP".

Back on the XP machine, after I made the cahges you suggested, I attempted
to check My Network Places and got this message:

"(name of original workgroup; the target one) is not accessible. You might
not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator
(that's me) to find out if you have access permission." ... and it's
certainly OK with me it gains access. That's the objective!

I'm back to square one. Anything here give you a better insight, Richard?

Show quoteHide quote

"Richard G. Harper" <rghar***@email.com> wrote in message
news:uXw%23ojptGHA.2088@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Just right-click My Computer and select Properties, then the Computer Name
> tab, then the Change button. Change the workgroup name on the
> newly-installed PC to be the same as the other two, then reboot. It may
> take some time for the network to "settle down" after rebooting and
browsing
> should then work as you expect.
>
> --
> "jaygreg" <jaygre***@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:u2pLdbptGHA.1888@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> > Need help getting one of 3 computers back onto my LAN please. Has a
WIN95,
> > WIN98SE, and Windows XP tied together via cable, router, then switch
with
> > these three machines plugged in. I set it up about two years ago so the
> > setup isn't fresh in my mind. The most used XP was hit by a virus so it
> > was
> > debugged and reformatted then Windows XP Professional installed
> > (originally
> > was HE). I've browsed the network setup help topics but am not sure
which
> > ones I should be following. They appear to be focused on setting up a
> > network. I simply want to join the one I created long ago. There is
> > mention
> > made of one computer becoming the host. I'm not sure if I did that with
> > the
> > WIN98SE machine or the XP. I do know that when I go to the other two
> > machines, they still see each other on the LAN even though the XP no
> > longer
> > appears. I'm trying to be as secure as practical this time. The XP is
> > running NOD32 antivirus but I just ran a wizard yesterday that I think
> > activated the XP firewall.
> >
> > Q1) How do I check?
> >
> > My plan was to replace that firewall with Zone Alarms so I'll have to
> > delve
> > into how to remove XP's and install ZA as well. I mention that now in
the
> > event it's a consideration in my getting the XP back on the LAN. I'm not
> > sure but it may have to be made the ICS (internet connection sharing)
host
> > .
> >
> > Q2) Can someone point me in the right direction and/or give me a
thumbnail
> > sketch of the steps I need to take please. I'm concerned about starting
> > that
> > Network Connection wizard and finding I just created something I didn't
> > need
> > and have gummed up the works.
> >
> >
>
>

3 Aug 2006 2:01 PM

bkboudreau

Follow Richard's steps and change the workgroup name to whatever you
named your network that the win 95&98 uses.

If you want your computers to be on the same network they have to all
have the same network name (for ease of use).

To turn off the windows XP firewall I first suggest you get zonealarm
installed. Then go to Start->Control Panel->Security Center->Windows
Firewall. There is a radio button for On or Off, just click off and
you have shut the windows firewall down.
jaygreg wrote:
Show quoteHide quote

> I didn't think it would be that easy, Richard. I hoped it would ... but it
> wasn't. I've done nothing with the network setup wizards since reinstalling
> Windows. I did notice when Windows XP Professional installed it
> automatically assigned the computer a name and assigned it to a workgroup it
> named "WORKGROUP". If I go to my WIN98SE machine and look at the network
> group, I find not only the original group with the WIN98SE and WIN95
> machines listed but another group called... WORKGROUP. When I click on that
> one, I get a message telling me:
>
> "WORKGROUP is not accessible. The computer or sharename could not be found.
> Make sure you typed it correctly and try again."
>
> This is probably due to the fact I changed the computer name to what it was
> before I reformated the hard drive and I changed the name of the workgroup
> to the name of the only one I had prior to the appearance of "WORKGROUP".
>
> Back on the XP machine, after I made the cahges you suggested, I attempted
> to check My Network Places and got this message:
>
> "(name of original workgroup; the target one) is not accessible. You might
> not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator
> (that's me) to find out if you have access permission." ... and it's
> certainly OK with me it gains access. That's the objective!
>
> I'm back to square one. Anything here give you a better insight, Richard?
>
>
> "Richard G. Harper" <rghar***@email.com> wrote in message
> news:uXw%23ojptGHA.2088@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> > Just right-click My Computer and select Properties, then the Computer Name
> > tab, then the Change button. Change the workgroup name on the
> > newly-installed PC to be the same as the other two, then reboot. It may
> > take some time for the network to "settle down" after rebooting and
> browsing
> > should then work as you expect.
> >
> > --
> > "jaygreg" <jaygre***@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:u2pLdbptGHA.1888@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> > > Need help getting one of 3 computers back onto my LAN please. Has a
> WIN95,
> > > WIN98SE, and Windows XP tied together via cable, router, then switch
> with
> > > these three machines plugged in. I set it up about two years ago so the
> > > setup isn't fresh in my mind. The most used XP was hit by a virus so it
> > > was
> > > debugged and reformatted then Windows XP Professional installed
> > > (originally
> > > was HE). I've browsed the network setup help topics but am not sure
> which
> > > ones I should be following. They appear to be focused on setting up a
> > > network. I simply want to join the one I created long ago. There is
> > > mention
> > > made of one computer becoming the host. I'm not sure if I did that with
> > > the
> > > WIN98SE machine or the XP. I do know that when I go to the other two
> > > machines, they still see each other on the LAN even though the XP no
> > > longer
> > > appears. I'm trying to be as secure as practical this time. The XP is
> > > running NOD32 antivirus but I just ran a wizard yesterday that I think
> > > activated the XP firewall.
> > >
> > > Q1) How do I check?
> > >
> > > My plan was to replace that firewall with Zone Alarms so I'll have to
> > > delve
> > > into how to remove XP's and install ZA as well. I mention that now in
> the
> > > event it's a consideration in my getting the XP back on the LAN. I'm not
> > > sure but it may have to be made the ICS (internet connection sharing)
> host
> > > .
> > >
> > > Q2) Can someone point me in the right direction and/or give me a
> thumbnail
> > > sketch of the steps I need to take please. I'm concerned about starting
> > > that
> > > Network Connection wizard and finding I just created something I didn't
> > > need
> > > and have gummed up the works.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >

3 Aug 2006 3:36 PM

jaygreg

Thanks BK. So it's OK to have ZA up and running before I disengage the
WindowsXP firewall. I'll follow those instruction. But first, I have to get
onto my old network. I've done what Richard suggested but I'm still not on.
Last night I changed the name of the XP computer to what it was before the
reformat project, removed the name WORKGROUP as the Workgroup name and added
the name of my old network. When I checked my work, "My Network Places"
(MNP)was blank and when I stepped down further to "View Workgroup Computers"
(VWC) I found nothing. However... I just repeated that cycle through MNP and
VWC an got different results. It's as thougsomething magically appeared. The
renamed XP now appears in MNP/VWC. I 'm getting closer. I read lastnight
that sometimes these networks take a little time to "settle down". I have
withnessed this delayed appearance before.

I also noticed on the XP workgroup properties that Primary Network Logon is
set to "Client for Microsoft Networks". In the past, when I would have a
network problem (which was very rare), I'd check this on all three computers
and inevitable find one out of sync. The other two on the old network are
set to "Windows Logon" (WL), not "Client for Microsoft Network". I clicked
the down arrow on the XP setting but there's no option for WL.

I don't want to complicate matters but somewhen in my exploration last
night, I say the XP set to access the network direct. But then... I shown
there is a LAN connection running.

I'm at a loss as I search for my next step.

Show quoteHide quote

"bkboudreau" <bra***@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:1154613714.063467.120650@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
> Follow Richard's steps and change the workgroup name to whatever you
> named your network that the win 95&98 uses.
>
> If you want your computers to be on the same network they have to all
> have the same network name (for ease of use).
>
> To turn off the windows XP firewall I first suggest you get zonealarm
> installed. Then go to Start->Control Panel->Security Center->Windows
> Firewall. There is a radio button for On or Off, just click off and
> you have shut the windows firewall down.
> jaygreg wrote:
> > I didn't think it would be that easy, Richard. I hoped it would ... but
it
> > wasn't. I've done nothing with the network setup wizards since
reinstalling
> > Windows. I did notice when Windows XP Professional installed it
> > automatically assigned the computer a name and assigned it to a
workgroup it
> > named "WORKGROUP". If I go to my WIN98SE machine and look at the network
> > group, I find not only the original group with the WIN98SE and WIN95
> > machines listed but another group called... WORKGROUP. When I click on
that
> > one, I get a message telling me:
> >
> > "WORKGROUP is not accessible. The computer or sharename could not be
found.
> > Make sure you typed it correctly and try again."
> >
> > This is probably due to the fact I changed the computer name to what it
was
> > before I reformated the hard drive and I changed the name of the
workgroup
> > to the name of the only one I had prior to the appearance of
"WORKGROUP".
> >
> > Back on the XP machine, after I made the cahges you suggested, I
attempted
> > to check My Network Places and got this message:
> >
> > "(name of original workgroup; the target one) is not accessible. You
might
> > not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the
administrator
> > (that's me) to find out if you have access permission." ... and it's
> > certainly OK with me it gains access. That's the objective!
> >
> > I'm back to square one. Anything here give you a better insight,
Richard?
> >
> >
> > "Richard G. Harper" <rghar***@email.com> wrote in message
> > news:uXw%23ojptGHA.2088@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> > > Just right-click My Computer and select Properties, then the Computer
Name
> > > tab, then the Change button. Change the workgroup name on the
> > > newly-installed PC to be the same as the other two, then reboot. It
may
> > > take some time for the network to "settle down" after rebooting and
> > browsing
> > > should then work as you expect.
> > >
> > > --
> > > "jaygreg" <jaygre***@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > > news:u2pLdbptGHA.1888@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> > > > Need help getting one of 3 computers back onto my LAN please. Has a
> > WIN95,
> > > > WIN98SE, and Windows XP tied together via cable, router, then switch
> > with
> > > > these three machines plugged in. I set it up about two years ago so
the
> > > > setup isn't fresh in my mind. The most used XP was hit by a virus so
it
> > > > was
> > > > debugged and reformatted then Windows XP Professional installed
> > > > (originally
> > > > was HE). I've browsed the network setup help topics but am not sure
> > which
> > > > ones I should be following. They appear to be focused on setting up
a
> > > > network. I simply want to join the one I created long ago. There is
> > > > mention
> > > > made of one computer becoming the host. I'm not sure if I did that
with
> > > > the
> > > > WIN98SE machine or the XP. I do know that when I go to the other two
> > > > machines, they still see each other on the LAN even though the XP no
> > > > longer
> > > > appears. I'm trying to be as secure as practical this time. The XP
is
> > > > running NOD32 antivirus but I just ran a wizard yesterday that I
think
> > > > activated the XP firewall.
> > > >
> > > > Q1) How do I check?
> > > >
> > > > My plan was to replace that firewall with Zone Alarms so I'll have
to
> > > > delve
> > > > into how to remove XP's and install ZA as well. I mention that now
in
> > the
> > > > event it's a consideration in my getting the XP back on the LAN. I'm
not
> > > > sure but it may have to be made the ICS (internet connection
sharing)
> > host
> > > > .
> > > >
> > > > Q2) Can someone point me in the right direction and/or give me a
> > thumbnail
> > > > sketch of the steps I need to take please. I'm concerned about
starting
> > > > that
> > > > Network Connection wizard and finding I just created something I
didn't
> > > > need
> > > > and have gummed up the works.
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
>