Member Avatar for cyclone3211

Problem: My laptop on the network cannot access any information from the desktop due to an error message that indicates that there is not enough memory and a suggestion to reduce the number of programs.

The hardwire network has a desktop OS XP sp1 connected to a Linksys BEFSR41 and a Toshiba 460 CDX OS 98 SE with a Linksys PCM 100 running under the Win XP network.

The laptop has resources are at 63% available when this happens and memory is at 160 MB. The entire network is visible on the laptop.

The desktop can access the laptop and transfer files.

My underlining real issue is not the transferring of files but with this condition existing, the laptop cannot use the network printer. The HP printer is not the issue that prevents this.

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Dani AI

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Short expert note tying together and troubleshooting and next steps.

The pattern (Win98 laptop can see the network/Internet but fails when accessing the XP-hosted print share, while the XP desktop can reach the laptop) narrows this to two likely causes: local firewall/ZoneAlarm blocking SMB/NetBIOS traffic, or the Win98 client running out of “system resources” or failing to load a compatible printer driver when it tries to attach to the shared printer. Diagnose each cleanly so changes are reversible.

Basic checks to run on the laptop (use IP addresses to avoid name-resolution issues):

ping 192.168.1.10
net view \\192.168.1.10
  • If ping succeeds but net view (or browsing the desktop’s shares) fails, the SMB ports are probably being blocked.
  • If both fail, there is a more general connectivity problem to resolve first.

Firewall / ZoneAlarm guidance

  • Temporarily disable ZoneAlarm on the laptop and attempt to access the printer/share. If printing returns, re-enable ZoneAlarm and put the desktop’s IP into the trusted/local zone or explicitly allow “File and Print Sharing” on the LAN.
  • SMB/NetBIOS uses UDP 137–138 and TCP 139 (and TCP 445 for direct SMB). Allow these only for the LAN/trusted hosts — do not open them to the Internet.

Resources / driver guidance

  • The Win98 “not enough memory” message can come from low TSR resources or from a failure to load a remote printer driver. Install the correct Win98 driver for the HP printer locally on the laptop (Add Printer → Network Printer, or install driver first then connect to the share).
  • Reduce resident TSRs/services during tests, test with ZoneAlarm off, and test printing after each change. If resource exhaustion continues, consider increasing virtual swap or physical RAM for the Win98 machine.

Make one change at a time and note results; that isolates whether the fix is firewall configuration or a local resource/driver issue.

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Member Avatar for bentkey

I'm assuming your laptop is running windows98. 63% resources available is low, things start crashing around 50% and and it has nothing to do with the amount of physical memory in the machine. This is one of the biggest reasons to not run Win98 today. Try closing all unnecessary background applications until you get a resource near or above 90% then see if you can print. That will at least prove if it is really a resource problem at all.

Member Avatar for cyclone3211

Thank you for your reply and here are the results:

1. Went to MSConfig and unchecked all in the startup section. Resources went to 90% and lost the network. Went back and replaced the required network file.

2. Could not get back to my desktop but still had internet connection. Found out that the Laptop and Desktop are married through ZoneAlarm. Replace the ZoneAlarm Client on the Laptop and gain recognition with resources at 78%.

3. Still can not access the printer and receive the same message as before regarding the closing of programs. Current running programs are as follows:
Explorer; Vsmon; Systray; Zlclient; and Rundl32.

Any additional suggestions would be appreciated..........what are your thoughts?

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