I've got a network consisting of NT Server 4.0 with 4 WS running Win 98 and 2 running XP Home Edition. My software vendor says Microsoft declares that XP Home does not work well with NT 4.0 and 98 and XP clash. My local network specialist says it should be no problem. I frequently have trouble printing and often suffer error messages. Have just recovered from data corruption and am looking for necessary solution without spending fortune for no gain. Any help?

Just a couple of things ....

1. Are you running this environment in a Domain context with the NT4 Server as a domain controller? If so, then XP home is "generally" unable to participate in a domain model.

2. Who has troubles printing? the 98 or XP home machines?

3. Anything in the event logs on either the NT server or the XP Home machines?

4. What machines are displaying this "data corruption" message?

5. Your network staff and your software vendor are both correct. But there are ways around everything .... supported and non-supported by MS.

6. Lots more details about what you wish to accomplish and answers to my questions above are needed so the members in these forums can help you.

1. No domain server mode
2. When have printing problems all machines are problematic :"When Mamma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy"!
3. Don't know about event logs. Will check that.
4. Encountered "run time" errors on 98 machines and after a couple of days ran a database maintainance program embedded in my software application program; then program would let me in but could not perform any functions. Software vendor subsequently performed a database fix twice which proved unsuccessful. Had to restore from backup and lost 1 days data. Then vendor ran database fix again; have performed OK with exception of some lockups and printing stalls. Sometimes getting in/out will fix print problem; other times must turn computer off/ on to fix. Warm and fuzzy security feeling not present.

Many thanks for replying and helping me with this vexing problem.

Will try the IP address as the answer for printing. Thanks.
While I have your attention peruse this situation: NT server 4.0 with 4- 98 machines and 2 xp home edition machines. Would you spend the money to upgrade to Win Server 2000 or 2003 and upgrade the machines to xp professional? This would also require additional RAM in 4 machines. I don't presently use the Internet and don't see it as a big feature anytime soon; my system speed and functionality is OK with NT and 98. The only bugaboo is when the software demands the next generation OS.

Just a quick post about 98 direct tcpip printing.... you will need to download the LPR printing utility from hp.com ... XP home will have it built in natively.

I will post more later.

ZZZZzzzzzzz time

In a non domain model XP home will do you fine for most things, an upgrade there should be unnecessary. If you go domain it will be a major pain with XP home. As for 98 and Xp clashing, I've not heard of it and I mix them without issues. For a lan this small I do reocmmend installing netbeui protocal on all machines, it's safe and reliable. and easy for setup. For the xp machines netbeui is in the valueadd folder you must folow the instrucitons to install it as m$ does not suport it anymore.

What are your thoughts about xp and NT 4.0 Server compatability? My software vendor says MS says they are not recommended together. I'm clueless as to who to believe.

Incompatibility in doing what? What does the NT server run? Is it a file/print server as well? Is it a backend to a RDMS system with the client residing on the XP machines as well as the 98 machines? What database application is causing these issues ... Oracle, Sybase, SQL, proprietary?

Does your printer server and DB reside on the same NT server, if so have you ..... changed the amount of space given to the print spooler server, moved it to a separate volume, upgraded your print drivers, reapplied service packs? ... just a few that come to mind.

These should start putting you towards the right direction