Empty "My Network Places"

[Ken Knecht]

I have a two desktop LAN. One machine is set to Master Browser and the
"My Network Places" window shows all the shared drives on the LAN system.
The other machine shows nothing in the "My Network Places" window, but if
I type in a network destination or use one preset as an icon I can see
and interact with the other machine, so that part of the network seems to
be working.

Any suggestions how to get the "My Network Places" window populated again
as it should be?

I 'm pretty sure this worked correctly at one time, but I can't remember
for sure. I use the LAN little, mostly for backing up a few files every
day.

Both machines are running XP Home.

TIA

 

[Chuck]

I have a two desktop LAN. One machine is set to Master Browser and the
"My Network Places" window shows all the shared drives on the LAN system.
The other machine shows nothing in the "My Network Places" window, but if
I type in a network destination or use one preset as an icon I can see
and interact with the other machine, so that part of the network seems to
be working.

Any suggestions how to get the "My Network Places" window populated again
as it should be?

I 'm pretty sure this worked correctly at one time, but I can't remember
for sure. I use the LAN little, mostly for backing up a few files every
day.

Both machines are running XP Home.

TIA

Ken,

How is one computer "set to Master Browser"? Are both computers running the
browser service?
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/04/nt-browser-or-why-cant-i-always-see.html>

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I have a two desktop LAN. One machine is set to Master Browser and the
"My Network Places" window shows all the shared drives on the LAN system.
The other machine shows nothing in the "My Network Places" window, but if
I type in a network destination or use one preset as an icon I can see
and interact with the other machine, so that part of the network seems to
be working.

Any suggestions how to get the "My Network Places" window populated again
as it should be?

I 'm pretty sure this worked correctly at one time, but I can't remember
for sure. I use the LAN little, mostly for backing up a few files every
day.

Both machines are running XP Home.

TIA

Click Tools | Folder Options | View and make sure that "Automatically
search for network folders and printers" is checked.

You can manually create a shortcut to a shared disk/folder: click "Add
a network place" and follow the prompts.

Browsing in My Network Places is so unreliable (as shown by the number
of problems that people report in this news group) that I don't rely
on it. I prefer to use a direct shortcut to the other computer or to
type the other computer's name in the Start | Run box in this form:

\\computer
--
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

 

[David Kelsey]

Steve - would you be kind enough to say how you set up a shortcut as you
suggest, and what the effect of this is on screen? Same with using the run
box? Do you know why my network seems to come and go at will, and very
slowly at that? I have a USB2 VPN on host with XP Home SP2 and client XP
Pro SP2.

David Kelsey

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Steve - would you be kind enough to say how you set up a shortcut as you
suggest, and what the effect of this is on screen? Same with using the run
box? Do you know why my network seems to come and go at will, and very
slowly at that? I have a USB2 VPN on host with XP Home SP2 and client XP
Pro SP2.

David Kelsey

To create a shortcut in My Network Places, click "Add a network place"
and follow the prompts.

To create a shortcut on the desktop:

1. Right-click a blank place on the desktop.

2. Click New.

3. Click Shortcut.

4. For the location of the item, type one of these forms, to create a
shortcut to a computer or to a shared disk/folder:

\\computer
\\computer\share

5. Click Next

Clicking a shortcut or typing a name in the Run box opens a window
showing the computer or shared disk/folder.

I'm sorry, but I don't know what a "USB2 VPN" is or why your network
comes and goes. As I've said, network browsing (My Network Places) in
Windows XP is unreliable and I recommend not using it.

If you'll post a new message, with a descriptive subject title and
full details of your questions, someone can probably help.
--
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

 

[David Kelsey]

Thanks Steve

David

To create a shortcut in My Network Places, click "Add a network place"
and follow the prompts.

To create a shortcut on the desktop:

1. Right-click a blank place on the desktop.

2. Click New.

3. Click Shortcut.

4. For the location of the item, type one of these forms, to create a
shortcut to a computer or to a shared disk/folder:

\\computer
\\computer\share

5. Click Next

Clicking a shortcut or typing a name in the Run box opens a window
showing the computer or shared disk/folder.

I'm sorry, but I don't know what a "USB2 VPN" is or why your network
comes and goes. As I've said, network browsing (My Network Places) in
Windows XP is unreliable and I recommend not using it.

If you'll post a new message, with a descriptive subject title and
full details of your questions, someone can probably help.
--
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