XP & Networking (idiot newb)

[Tomteriffic]

Ok, I've finally been forced to quit boycotting M$ and build a couple of XP boxes. One is for a client and it's a fairly simple proposition, but it needs to be as painless and transparent as possible, since this box is going a couple of hundred miles away and will be in the hands of a college student who's not real computer savvy.

Anything I should know about that install? I think I've found the quick fix for maximizing performance and turning off a lot of the eye candy and such, but I'm just wondering about admin accounts, passwords, etc. Does she need that stuff? It'sll be XP Pro in order to have the best chance of interfacing with the college's network.

Next! I gotta build a machine for myself. XP Pro again. I have a whole gaggle of Win98 machines set up in a Peer to Peer network. No usernames and no passwords, just computer names. How do I get to where everybody will still "see" everybody, do file and printer sharing, etc?

Also, this machine will be set up NTFS, since I'll be using a Remote Desktop connection to telecommute to work and it just makes things easier in terms of permissions and stuff at that end.

So, how will the Win98 machines see the NTFS partition, or can they? Or what? This is the part that really has me befuddled.

Thanks for any responses, I understand XP is a good OS, but I'm a complete twit about even the most basic stuff.

[NotQuiteHere]

oooh.... as far as I now.... 98 can't understand NTFS... so I'd think the 98 machines wouldn't be able to see it.

[John Prophet]

the ntfs or fat32 etc etc doesnt matter over a network...that basically only matters in dual boot systems etc.

the main thing is to make sure they have the same "workgroup" name on all comps...on W98 it is "workgroup" by default..whereas on xp it is "mshome"....so one of em will have to change.

also make sure the xp firewall is off.

also...w98 etc can chug right along with comp names with spaces in them...like "bobs comp"....but Xp wont handle the spaces.....thats just another thing to keep in mind.....if u have a w98 box named "bobs comp"..then you will probably have top change it to "bobscomp"

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You MIGHT have to have the w98 machines use "client for microsoft networks" as the "primary network logon" ....(right click network neighborhood/properties) if so, then you will have the little name/password screen pop up on bootup.

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on w98 u have to manually turn on file and printer sharing....on xp it is already on by default.

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those r the basics.

JP

[NotQuiteHere]

hmm.... learn something new everyday....

[John Prophet]

oh yeah...ntfs and fat32 dont really affect networking issues much. Once its onto a network its not fat32 or ntfs anymore...those are file systems for hard drives...after its on a netwrok its all about network protocols etc.

Now if you have a dual boot system...with a win98 fat32 partition and an WinXP ntfs partition....the Xp would be able to read the win98 partition (cuz XP handles ntfs and fat32 etc)...but the w98 fat32 partition wouldnt be able to "see" the ntfs stuff.

JP

[Tomteriffic]

Hey John,

Thanks! Let me make sure I have this straight. Over a local network, the Win98 machines will still be able to see the NTFS drive, right? Even though its P2P and all that? Just checking, many thanks!

[jmichna]

Originally posted by Tomteriffic
Hey John,

Thanks! Let me make sure I have this straight. Over a local network, the Win98 machines will still be able to see the NTFS drive, right? Even though its P2P and all that? Just checking, many thanks!

Yes, because you are accessing the files using TCP/IP (or IPX/SPX, NetBUI, whatever protocol you select) -- independent of the native file system on the client machine.
Another John, butting in

[John Prophet]

one john is as good as another! lol

[Tomteriffic]

Originally posted by John Prophet
one john is as good as another! lol

Especially in an emergency!

Thanks guys. Stay tuned for further idjit Luddite questions!