Knowledge Base

Windows NT Cannot Connect to Windows 95 Using IPX

Article ID: 154118

Article Last Modified on 1/19/2007

Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition
Microsoft Windows 95
Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition

This article was previously published under Q154118

SYMPTOMS

A Windows NT-based computer configured to use only the IPX/SPX protocol cannot connect to a Windows 95-based computer configured to use only the IPX/SPX protocol. However, the Windows 95 computer can connect to the Windows NT computer.

CAUSE

By default, Windows 95 uses direct hosting for the IPX/SPX protocol. This means that NetBIOS support for the IPX/SPX protocol is not enabled. Windows NT supports server-side direct hosting, but it does not support client-side direct hosting. Therefore, a Windows NT computer configured to use only the IPX/SPX protocol cannot connect to a client running only the IPX/SPX protocol.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, enable NetBIOS support for the IPX/SPX protocol on a Windows 95-based computer:

In Control Panel, double-click Network.
On the Configuration tab, click IPX/SPX-Compatible Protocol, and then click Properties.
On the NetBIOS tab, click to select the I want to enable NetBIOS over IPX/SPX check box.
Click OK, and then click OK.
When you are prompted to restart the computer, do so.

Enable NetBIOS over IPX on the computer running Windows 95 through the Control Panel Networks tool.

Additional query words: wfwg win31 win95 win98 net fail win9x

Keywords: kbnetwork kbprb KB154118