Windows XP to Windows 98 Networking Problems... 98 Can't Ping XP!!

I have a Linksys router and 2 PC connected to it, one Windows 98 and another Windows XP.

Both PCs can access the internet just fine. The Windows XP system can ping the Windows 98 system just fine. The problem is that the Windows 98 system cannot ping the XP box.

I am using numeric IP addresses to remove any possible DNS problems. From the XP box everything seems to be fine: I can ping localhost, ping it own IP, ping the 98 box IP, ping remote (Internet) hosts, ping the router, use "net view \\winxppc" and see a printer being shared, etc.

Now, from the 98 system I can ping localhost, ping it own IP, ping remote (Internet) hosts, ping the router, etc. But I CANNOT ping the Windows XP system, either by numeric IP or by hostname (it does resolve the hostname correctly). What's even more strange is that I was able at one point to ping the XP box. I then had to reboot because the system "hung" when I tried to "browse the network". After I rebooted, I got a login screen in Windows 98 (I didn't use to get this) and it had "default" as a username. I hit "OK" and continued the startup. I also had some old dial-up adapters that I removed since I am not using dial-up anymore.

I've tried tracert (Windows "traceroute") and ping. They work fine for external remote hosts, but they do not work for a system inside the LAN (only once PC in this case, the Windows XP system).

Any ideas on what might be causing this problem? How can I debug it? :confused: Any tips? Should I just go back to FreeBSD? :D Help! :(

Thanks! :)

Make sure the built-in firewall of XP has been disabled.

Have you disabled Windows XP's built-in firewall? If it's enabled and configured with its default settings, it'll prevent the Windows XP computer from responding to ICMP requests such as the PING command.

Right-click My Network Places and select Properties. Then select your Local Area Network Connection, select Properties, and go to the Advanced tab. From here, you can uncheck the box under "Internet Connection Firewall" to disable the firewall.

If you don't want to completely disable Windows XP's firewall for some reason, then click the Settings button at the bottom of the window. On the ICMP tab, place a checkmark in the box next to "Allow incoming echo request". That should allow your XP box to be pinged. (If you still can't ping it, you might want to fiddle a bit with other settings in the ICMP options.)