How do I refresh My Network Places?

[Guest]

I am new to XP. I have 3 PCs connected with a wired network, 1 running XP Pro
and the other 2 running Win98 & Win98SE. Network runs fine, but while the
Win98 machines scan Network Neighborhood every time I start Explorer or Vcom
PowerDesk (which I prefer to use instead of Explorer), the XP machine
remembers ALL the shared drives in ALL machines, even if the other machines
are not switched on.
This causes PowerDesk to lock up when it launches. Explorer will launch, but
goes away for a while if a drive is selected in an off PC, and eventually
returns an error message.
How do I force XP to forget everything in My Network Places on, say,
Shutdown, and only scan the network when Explorer or PowerDesk looks at the
network?

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I am new to XP. I have 3 PCs connected with a wired network, 1 running XP Pro
and the other 2 running Win98 & Win98SE. Network runs fine, but while the
Win98 machines scan Network Neighborhood every time I start Explorer or Vcom
PowerDesk (which I prefer to use instead of Explorer), the XP machine
remembers ALL the shared drives in ALL machines, even if the other machines
are not switched on.
This causes PowerDesk to lock up when it launches. Explorer will launch, but
goes away for a while if a drive is selected in an off PC, and eventually
returns an error message.
How do I force XP to forget everything in My Network Places on, say,
Shutdown, and only scan the network when Explorer or PowerDesk looks at the
network?

By design, My Network Places searches for and remembers all of the
shared drives that it sees on the network. It doesn't check to see
whether the computers that host those drives are currently accessible.
I don't know of any way to make it act the way you want.

There's no need to use My Network Places. Since it's causing problems
for you:

1. Delete all of the shortcuts in My Network Places:

a. Click Edit | Select All.
b. Right-click one of the shortcuts.
c. Click Delete.

2. Prevent it from searching for shared drives:

a. Click Tools | Folder Options | View.
b. Un-check "Automatically search for network folders
and printers".

Here are some ways to access another computer without using My Network
Places:

1. Type the other computer's name in the Start | Run box in this
format:

\\computer

2. Create a desktop shortcut to the other computer, and click the
shortcut to access the computer. Specify the location of the item as:

\\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

 

[Guest]

Yes, this works, and is a good workaround. Thanks for the quick response.

I am used to the way WIn95/98 works; whenever Explorer or PowerDesk opens
Network Neighborhood it scans the network and shows only what is there at the
time. XP seems to remember everything that was there at some time and doesn't
expect the other computers ever to be off. This is probably a significant
enhancement for a large commercial network, but is not so good for a small
home network.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Yes, this works, and is a good workaround. Thanks for the quick response.

You're welcome. Lots of people have problems with My Network Places
and network browsing in Windows XP, as you can see by reading messages
in this news group.

I am used to the way WIn95/98 works; whenever Explorer or PowerDesk opens
Network Neighborhood it scans the network and shows only what is there at the
time. XP seems to remember everything that was there at some time and doesn't
expect the other computers ever to be off. This is probably a significant
enhancement for a large commercial network, but is not so good for a small
home network.

Actually, automatic searching for network drives is disabled on a
domain network, which is how large commercial networks are usually set
up. It only happens on a workgroup network.

Dave.

--
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

 

[Guest]

--
Hagar

You're welcome. Lots of people have problems with My Network Places
and network browsing in Windows XP, as you can see by reading messages
in this news group.


Actually, automatic searching for network drives is disabled on a
domain network, which is how large commercial networks are usually set
up. It only happens on a workgroup network.

--
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

Hi Steve

I agree with Dave - I have encountered the same problems, as I move my
Laptop from one network to another - It can truley "BOG DOWN" trying to find
all the places - I will now also tyr U'solution thanks!!!

Hagar

 

[JustUs]

Thanks!! I have been running into problems with My Network always showing all
the systems on the network. This is PERFECT!!

 

[Steve Winograd]

Thanks!! I have been running into problems with My Network always showing all
the systems on the network. This is PERFECT!!

You're welcome!! I'm glad to 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