Question : can't ping a computer on the network

I have a two computer network, one is XP the other W98.  The W98 can ping the XP system but the XP system can't ping the W98 system.  Both can reach the internet  How could this be and how can I correct it?  The real question being that I need both systems able to be accessible on the network.

Could it be that no share is seen on the W98 system even though I'm set sharing for the C drive?  I also enabled file and printer sharing as well as allowing access to my files by others.  I also installed the XP networking wizard on the W98 system.  Out of desperation I even put netBEUI on the W98 system.  Big clue, I just reformatted the W98 system before the problem showed up.

Answer : can't ping a computer on the network

Try these steps: (assuming XP Pro?)

Disable all firewalls for testing.  This includes Zone Alarm, Norton Internet Security, etc.
  Including XP's ICF...
  From Control Panel, open Network Connections.
  Right-click Local Area Network from Control Panel's Network Connections and choose Properties
  Click the Advanced tab and deselect (remove the checkbox from) "Protect my computer..."
  Click OK and close out of Network Connections & Control Panel

Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP:
  XP utilizes DNS for communication by default.  To enable the systems to communicate via NetBIOS,
  proceed as above to enter Network Connections.
  Right-click your Local Area Connection and click Properties
  Scroll down in "This connection uses the following items:" to find Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
  Select it (highlight it) and click properties
  Click the Advanced button on the General tab.
  Click the WINS tab.
  Under NetBIOS setting heading
   Click Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
  Click OK, OK, OK and close out of Network Connections & Control Panel

Disable Simple File Sharing:
  Right-click the Start button and click Explore
  Click Tools then Click Folder Options
  Click the View tab
  At the bottom of the Advanced Settings list, deselect (remove the checkbox from):
   "Use simple file sharing (Recommended)"
  Click OK

Let Everyone's permissions apply to anonymous users as well:
   Click Start->Run->SECPOL.MSC /S
     Navigate to Local Policies/Security Options.
     Double click "Network Access:Let Everyone permissions apply to anonymous users"
     Click Enabled and click OK

Test your connectivity:
 Click Start->Run->CMD
    At the prompt that appears, type IPCONFIG
    Do you have an IP address listed (i.e. 192.168.1.100)?
    If so, try pinging the other machine by IP address:
      PING 192.168.1.101
    If you get a Reply successful, then try connecting to them...
      NET USE * \\192.168.1.101\C$ /USER:192.168.1.101\Administrator Password
    (where Administrator is an administrative account on the machine you're trying to get to)
    (and where Password is the appropriate password for that account).

Check these links for more information:
  http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/troubleshoot/
  http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/addxp.htm
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308007

For windows XP Home edition: http://www.wmwoods.edu/ULIS/helpdesk/xpinstruct.htm
 How to Network Windows XP Home Edition (8 pages) http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=813936