Home Network Random Failure to see computers/files

[Guest]

Sometimes, I can get all 3 of my desktop computers to see each other and
share files and printers. Most of the time, at least one cannot be found. I
have stepped through the Network Wizard scores of times, usually with no
success. Strange to me...I have always had full internet connections on all
3, 2 of which are wireless access. Obviously, there is some constant
connection.

Is there a standard process to set up a home network? What are the steps?
What are some critical activities that would knock a computer off of the home
network?

My configuration:
#1pc XP Media, ethernet to Belkin router connected to cable modem for
internet service
#2pc XP Media, Belkin wireless USB adapter
#3pc XP Pro, Belkin wireless adapter
ipconfig/all: all appear appropriate except Node Type:
#1pc Node Type: Mixed
#2pc Node Type: Hybrid
#3pc Node Type: unknown

I have followed some instructions on from this newsgroup to change #3pc via
regedit but no success.

Would appreciate best guesses or direction to any further source?

Thanks, Graeb

 

[Chuck]

Sometimes, I can get all 3 of my desktop computers to see each other and
share files and printers. Most of the time, at least one cannot be found. I
have stepped through the Network Wizard scores of times, usually with no
success. Strange to me...I have always had full internet connections on all
3, 2 of which are wireless access. Obviously, there is some constant
connection.

Is there a standard process to set up a home network? What are the steps?
What are some critical activities that would knock a computer off of the home
network?

My configuration:
#1pc XP Media, ethernet to Belkin router connected to cable modem for
internet service
#2pc XP Media, Belkin wireless USB adapter
#3pc XP Pro, Belkin wireless adapter
ipconfig/all: all appear appropriate except Node Type:
#1pc Node Type: Mixed
#2pc Node Type: Hybrid
#3pc Node Type: unknown

I have followed some instructions on from this newsgroup to change #3pc via
regedit but no success.

Would appreciate best guesses or direction to any further source?

Thanks, Graeb

The most common cause of this problem, generally, would be a misconfigured or
overlooked personal firewall, or other security component. That's usually
consistent, not random though.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-visibility.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-visibility.html

With WiFi equipment involved, I'll bet that you have a segmented workgroup, and
a master browser conflict.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/browsing-across-subnets.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/browsing-across-subnets.html

Let's look at "browstat status" and "ipconfig /all" from each computer, and
diagnose the problem. Read this article, and linked articles, and follow
instructions precisely (download browstat!):
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp