ScuzzBlog: Diaries October 2026
Entry 6th October 2026: Post 1: Win PC Network - XP to Win98 to Win95.
Win PC Network - XP to Win98 to Win95.
I discussed a couple of months ago how I lost my Win7 machine to
the deathstar. Sadly missed yet not forgotten. One of the joys of
the Win7 machine was the full access to my repository that I have
built up over the 15 years of using the Win7 machine. Whilst I
have the archive in various parts spread over several machines and
drives I do not have a comprehensive version. I have set up an XP
machine in place of the Win7 machine and am currently rebuilding
the repository on a Buffalo drive.
Where was I ?
I do have an active network of PCs with various parts of the
repository locked inside. Sadly some years back I decided to
disconnect the upstairs from the circuit as the Win7 machine was
covering that base and being on line I didn't connect to my local
Intranet. What I now needed to do was reconnect the cable from the
lounge and set up a small switch in here to connect to the XP
computer now sitting under this table.
One of the major computers holding a large chunk of the repository
is Fern. She is currently trapped in a block of PCs forming a wall
of machines in the workshop. She is still connected to the circuit
and has a mouse, keyboard and small monitor way on top of the pile.
Let me explain the networking era of the collection. The date was
late 1999 and I decided to buy a new Win98 machine. I was keen to
network the Win95 and Win98 machine and so had network cards fitted
and used NetBUI and a crossover cable. I did have a few of these
crossover cables which you should never mix up when using TCP/IP.
Important to remember that. I am always checking Ethernet cables to
make sure the male ends have exactly the same order of coloured
wires.
I expanded the network to embrace any number of machines that I was
gifted from my office. Each time kit was replaced I stored computers
to safeguard the data. I would fit a 'D' drive and use that for my
storage. At one time I had a run of two PCs and an Amiga on a bench
in the lounge together with Fern who sat on another bench. I used
a large RM server machine with big circular feet for my main Amiga
collection and copies transferred to Fern over the network. So my
first era of networking dates from 1999 to 2008 and the second
era starting in 2008 to 2014 when XP joined me along with broadband.
My focus today was on the first era machines and particularly Fern.
OK an explanation of names. I follow the Amiga tradition of names
for computers so always female. With the PC came two drives, a C
and a D drive generally. So I tended to give the computers two
names for each drive and this sometimes could be a first and second
name.
The Win98 machine is called Fern. The Win95 machine is called Lara
and the XP machine is called Vicni. All female names in the Amiga
tradition.
OK names explained I had to dig out the cable for the upstairs link
and found it surprisingly quickly. Given that Fern was the furthest
in the Workshop and used the first switch, I chose Lara Win95 as
the second using the second switch in the dining area. The cable
then goes vertical and through the floor into this room. I told
you it gets bonkers. I then connect the small NetGear to the XP
computer. I love the lights on switches. They light up the minute
the cable is connected if the PC has power to it.
So I tested the network and the three machines appeared on the
dedicated workgroup straight away. No problem.
Whilst there was archive stuff on Lara it was generally content
that I already had. Lara does have a SwapBay and ZIP so I may have
a further play.
The jewel is Fern cus she definitely had files that were not in
the main archive. I spent a very long time going through folders.
The archives were very old and had a lot of records from the birth
of the website including original photographs taken with the first
camera, the Epson. The pictures are much larger than the images on
the site which are remarkably small today. I also found folders
full of Ebay transaction files of computers and discussions with
the sellers. Fern is filled to the brim with Amiga stuff and for
the most part only Amiga stuff. The good news is that I can now
view the files whilst sitting up here.
I have run some large copies of folders and the transfer is
quite fast. I was worried have the NetGear on the circuit would
cause a data log jam being a slower transfer rate. I have bought
a few RJ45 Couplers Cat5e as a safeguard so I can simply connect
the end of the Ethernet together.
I have been in my element today given that I just love networking
and file management. The rolling lines of data appears like the
Matrix to some, but to me I can see what's behind the file name. When
I see the transfer in the file copier, doesn't matter how fast it
is going, I can generally work out what the content is. Yet another
facility that Win10/11 chose to waterdown. Why they can't leave
stuff alone I will never know.
I better go. I've been at this all day. I was at it till the small
hours last night. Dunno what it is about Ethernet but it never fails
to fascinate. The reason I bought a ZX81 in the early days was to
save my thoughts and memories. Its all I have been doing ever since
and I still have all my back-ups.
PPS Just a comment that XP, Win98 and Win95 ROCK. Seriously no better
place to be offline than your own personal Intranet. Total freedom.
Win PC Network - XP to Win98 to Win95.
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