Not seeing workgroup computers

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jim
  • Start date Start date
J

Jim

I have had an office network of 3 computers using a Link
Sys BEFSR41 cable/router for a while now. The computers
are running XP Home, W98SE and XP Pro. Recently I
upgraded the W98SE computer to XP Home. I have been able
to get this upgraded computer and the one running XP Pro
talking to each other on the network. However, I lost the
original XP Home computer from the network. All 3
computers are configured for the same workgroup.

Let's call the computers:
A = the original XP Home computer
B = the XP Pro computer
C = The W98SE upgraded to XP Home computer

The symptoms are:
- B and C can see all 3 computers on the
network
- when I click on View Workgroup Computers in
A, I receive an error "the list of servers is not
currently available"
- I can ping B and C from A using IP but I
cannot ping them using their computer names
- I can ping A and B from C using IP. I can
ping B from C using its computer name. I cannot ping A
from C using its computer name.
 
Tried running the network setup wizard the XP computer
that works, and then making the network setup disk at the
end and installing that disk at least on the other XP
computer that isn't working (if not on both)?

Long shot, but worth a shot.
 
I am having a similar problem. I have a machine A,
Windows XP Home, and machine B, Windows 98, working ok.
Then I introduced laptop C, Windows XP Home, and it can
see the other machines in the workgroup, but I get access
errors. On the laptop, I get:
The browser was unable to retrieve a list of servers from
the browser master
in my event log (browser warning). From my browsermaster
(A), I get a "C is not accessible" dialog.

Anyone have ideas, or good websites to look at?

tia

Paul
 
One of your PCs needs to be elected MasterBrowser.
Windows Client OSs are set to not volunteer for the job.
On your main PC set the 'IsDomainMaster' value to TRUE.
The path is:
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Browser\Parameters

Let me know, whether this worked for you.
strip the x of my email address!

Bernie
 
"Jim" said:
I have had an office network of 3 computers using a Link
Sys BEFSR41 cable/router for a while now. The computers
are running XP Home, W98SE and XP Pro. Recently I
upgraded the W98SE computer to XP Home. I have been able
to get this upgraded computer and the one running XP Pro
talking to each other on the network. However, I lost the
original XP Home computer from the network. All 3
computers are configured for the same workgroup.

Let's call the computers:
A = the original XP Home computer
B = the XP Pro computer
C = The W98SE upgraded to XP Home computer

The symptoms are:
- B and C can see all 3 computers on the
network
- when I click on View Workgroup Computers in
A, I receive an error "the list of servers is not
currently available"
- I can ping B and C from A using IP but I
cannot ping them using their computer names
- I can ping A and B from C using IP. I can
ping B from C using its computer name. I cannot ping A
from C using its computer name.
Click to expand...

1. Permanently disable XP's built-in Internet Connection Firewall on
local area network connections -- it's for use only on a direct modem
connection to the Internet. Disable and un-install all other
firewalls while troubleshooting. Details here:

Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/ic_firewall.htm

2. Use only one protocol for File and Printer Sharing. If the network
needs more than one protocol, unbind File and Printer Sharing from all
but one of them. Details here:

Windows XP Network Protocols
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/network_protocols.htm

3. Make sure that NetBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled on all computers.
Details here:

Enable NetBIOS Over TCP/IP (NetBT)
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/troubleshoot/netbt.htm

--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
 
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