Unused Serial Ports on both Computers
Also availiable: Connect ANY Windows Platform (index to this site)
Download RAS Upgrade from Microsoft
This procedure requires the RAS client upgrade from Microsoft. This improved client has the ability to answer incoming calls and is required for this procedure to work correctly. So click on the RAS panel below and save the upgrade while your reviewing this document. You might want to read more about it in KB article #111292. You must be using windows for workgroups version 3.11. Save the file in a temporary directory (or a floppy disk - ask America Online for a Free One).
Common Setup for Both Computers
If you did not install networking do so now.
Add Remote Access and you should also have Notepad to edit files later. You should now have RAS appearing in the Network Program Group
If you already have a network installed, you should consult your administrator before making the following changes. Click on the Remote Access Icon to add the appropriate drivers to your system.
Select YES and install Microsoft Networking
Select Null Modem for the COM Port You will be using. It is ok to configure more than one.
Enter your information for the Network ID. If this information already exists, I suggest leaving it alone as you might deconfigure other network sessions. Be sure to note your COMPUTER NAME to access files from the windows 95 computer.
Click Continue. You must now install the network divers in your config.sys. Add the line "DEVICEHIGH ... IFSHLP.SYS". Be sure to enter the location where your windows is installed. Also check to see if the file exists using file manager. If it doesn't you must use the expand.exe utility to copy it off of setup disk #7 in the windows for workgroups install set.
If you do not have a memory manager present, you may just enter
DEVICE=C:\{windows directory}\IFSHLP.SYS
RESTART YOUR COMPUTER NOW.
If you see the above display, verify that you entered the correct path for ifshlp.sys and also that the entry "NET START" is in your autoexec.bat, and the path statement points to the windows directory so as to be able to find the NET.EXE program. If these three conditions are met, you will have to go below and check out the knowledge base articles regarding the net command because it has failed.
Run the Program you Downloaded from Microsoft to extract the new files. You can click BROWSE to find the directory you used for downloading.
Install the Upgraded RAS Client (and now Server).
Run the "COPYPTP.BAT" batch file with the calling parameter of your Windows directory so it knows where to install the files. My windows is installed in the directory "WIN4WG31" since this is a dual boot computer. Yours is probably C:\WINDOWS.
Syntax: {location of files} \ COPYPTP.BAT {location of your Windows Directory}
Follow the upgrade instructions. The install batch file will ask for your windows directory information.
Using notepad, open the file "serial.ini" in the default windows directory.
Determine your system's maximum baud rate. If you are uncertain, enter 19200 as shown above. MAXCONNECTBPS and MAXCARRIERBPS should be set to your systems capability. InitialBps will determine the speed of your link. A Maximum of 57600 baud exists for the serial.386 driver, unless you have added a vendor provided driver.
Onlyshared resources are availiable on the other computer. To share files or entire disk drives Click on DISK / Share As:
You can share a directory or the entire drive depending upon what you want to access from the othercomputer. The example above shares the entire Drive C: with permissions for read and write.
Perform this Setup Procedure on the Other Computer
Host Computer Configuration
Files may be shared in both directions using the new RAS service, therefore, it does not matter which is the guest or host computer.
Click On Remote Access.
Configure to receive calls. Select the SERVER PORT where the cable will be connected to the Windows 95 computer. Be sure to Allow incoming calls to this computer.
Tip: This is where you change the port if you move the cable in the future.
Select Start Up in Answer Mode for sake of convenience. Click Answer if it is not Now Selected. The Windows 3.11 Machine is READY! (Your description field will not say Windows 95 DCC Host, this is ok)
Guest Computer Configuration
Click on Remote Access
Click Add (or Edit) to enter a new Phone Bool Entry. Select an appropriate Entry Name, and Description. Leave the phone number blank. Select the COM port on this computer that will be used to connect.
Click on the Little Modem to Set the Baud Rate for your Connection. The Initial Speed (bps) is the speed at which the link will operate. It must match excatly the value you entered for InitialBps in the serial.ini file on the other computer.
Establishing the Connection
Start Remote access on the HOST computer, verify that it is in the Answer Mode. It should indicate a status of Waiting for Call.
Start Remote access on the Guest computer, and select the entry we have just made and click dial. A series of connection messages will occur and then if all is correct you will have a panel similar to the one below:
(3.11 file manager)
Click DISK / Mount Network Drive
(3.11
display)
The path is your other computer name followed by the shared name as follows:
Related Sites
Connect Windows for Workgroups and NT4.0 Server/Workstation Using Serial Cable
