Problem setting up network.

I have 2 PCs at home and want to network them. I have LAN cards in both and a router connecting the 2 and giving internet access. One PC is running Win98SE, the other is running XP Pro. I've run the XP network wizard on both PCs, enabled file sharing, and can "see" my other PC (98SE) in "my network places" on this computer (XP Pro) but can't access anything on it. I haven't tried accessing this one from the other one yet. Anyone got any suggestions? The help program on both computers pretty much suck!

 

Sharing is enabled, but you still need to actually share a folder or a drive. On your Win98 machine, open Explorer and right-click on a folder that you want to share. The context menu should show an item called Sharing... which you can then select. The default setting is Not Shared, but you change the radio button to Shared As. Then the Access Type is available to you to fill in as you wish. Once you've hit Apply, this folder should now show up as a shared resource displaying the familiar share "hand" under the folder in the Explorer view. Back on the XP Pro machine, explore the network places area once again and you should now see that shared folder under the Win98 machine name.

 

OK, got 98SE access from the XP machine, now how about the other way?

 

You can try this:
Start=>Run=>compmgmt.msc
Then under
System Tools=>Shared Folders=>Shares -right click to get the context menu. Select New File Share. The Create Shared Folder Wizard pops up where you can input your desired "share". I usually just click on browse and go from there. You'll get all the usual "types" of sharing you want to do. Most NT\XP sharing, requires that you create an account on the XP machine - for each Win98 logon account that you currently use. For instance, if you log on the Win98 machine as JASON, then have an account named JASON on your XP machine.

 

well I downloaded a network setup guide from MS and everything's working fine now. A little slow on the 98SE PC, but maybe I'll just move the icons for the "other" PCs to the desktop or "My Computer" to eliminate having to go through "Network Neighborhood" or "My Network Places" to access them.

 

Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network settings, http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html

As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what is allowed to be shared.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040

Win98SE Sharing, http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.aspx?i=92