I'm not exactly an expert but, do you have the latest Windows Updates for Windows ME? If you don't, your current windows doesn't even know what an XP machine is, and therefore has no clue how to communicate with one! Also, did you check for firmware updates for your switch (go to the website, you never know).
Also, check whether your Windows ME comp is "invisible" on the network. Lastly, how old is the ME machine? If its "newer", than upgrade it to XP and its almost guarunteed to work!
IP Addys, as long as they correspond properly among the computers, don't really make a difference. There is SOME protocol over what numbers constitute what, in terms of what are called "IP classes", see <a href = "http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question549.htm">"How IP Addresses Work"</a>.
This response is to tie you over until someone experienced can get their hands wrapped around your problem!!!
later, Romi Strub
While trying to build a peer-to-peer network of 3 PCs, I can't get a Windows ME PC to recognize an XP Pro PC. However, the XP can see the ME. I used a Phoebe switch with 5 ports and made sure all the cables were compatible with the switch. The IP addresses are similar, with only the last digit different on each machine. What else should I check?

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