Win ME machines not connecting to server
 

Hi, I've set up a RH8 server at a friends house to manage the internet connection with the usual DHCP routing, samba, firewall etc. It immediately started working with the XP machines, they picked up the DHCP and got ip no.s fine, but for some reason the two ME machines arent playing ball. They can ping the server, but according to their ipconfig.exe they arent being assigned a ip in the subnet, and they're not picking up a default gateway. I've tried using the network wizard on them, but not much more. Could it be something to do with WINS, or should DHCP work irrespective of that particular module?

According to a book that I have, you should only have to setup the ME machines to "Obtain an IP Address Automatically" in the TCP/IP properties and then reboot. I assume that this is what you have done since you got the XP machines to work.

Also if you don't get the ME machines to work just tell your friend that Windows ME is the worst distrobution of windows ever released so its not your fault.

yeah ive set them up to obtain their ip automatically, that shouldnt be the problem.

Well Bob lets see if we can agree on this. This is a client side problem not a server side problem right? Would you agree?

My instincts tell me that if XP is working then the server is setup fine. You may have to get down and dirty in the depths of a Windows ME forum for some answers.

Please post the output from the ipconfig command. Your words suggest that they are being assigned an i.p. address from another subnet. Is this so?

hi, yeah im pretty sure its a client side problem, I spose linuxquestions isnt the proper place to deal with what is prolly a ME issue. Sorry I havent posted actual readouts, as its not my network, I am only helping out, and dont have constant access to the machines. However, I can tell you all of what ipconfig said: the first entry for dns was empty, the ip address assigned was one of the standard windows error ips, I think it starts 194. or soming, i cant quite remember, but i would expect it to be the error code for no dchp server found, sorry i cant be more specific. The default gateway entry was also empty. I will try to get my friend to email me the exact output so I can be more helpful.

I note that you are using a router. The DHCP request is a broadcast. Broadcasts will not pass through a router unless the router is specially configured to allow this.

Note that allowing broadcasts through routers can significantly increase traffic on the network.

no the router connects the cable modem interface (and of course the net also) to the internal network interface. The lan broadcast packets will be broadcast fine as they are not being routed, merely sent out from the server on the appropriate interface, hence the fact that the XP machines pick up a DCHP broadcast at all.