98/XP Lan problem - computers no longer visible to each other

[Hugo Chesshire]

Hi there,

I have two computers, one running 98, one running XP, both connected to a
hub which is connected to a cable modem. Both machines access the internet
through the modem just fine. Until recently, they were also able to share
files and printers. However, one morning each computer had become unable to
"see" the other on the network and believed it was alone. No other computers
appeared in the Network neighbourhood, whereas before the other PC would be
there complete with all its shared files and folders. Internet access was
still fine. I tried releasing/renewing IPs, reinstalling NICs, disabling
firewalls and antivirus software but nothing has changed. I've also tried
enabling NetBIOS over TCP/IP, as has been suggested to me - no change.

Any ideas what is causing this, or what I can do to get more information?

Thanks!

 

[CJT]

Hi there,

I have two computers, one running 98, one running XP, both connected to a
hub which is connected to a cable modem. Both machines access the internet
through the modem just fine. Until recently, they were also able to share
files and printers. However, one morning each computer had become unable to
"see" the other on the network and believed it was alone. No other computers
appeared in the Network neighbourhood, whereas before the other PC would be
there complete with all its shared files and folders. Internet access was
still fine. I tried releasing/renewing IPs, reinstalling NICs, disabling
firewalls and antivirus software but nothing has changed. I've also tried
enabling NetBIOS over TCP/IP, as has been suggested to me - no change.

Any ideas what is causing this, or what I can do to get more information?

Thanks!

I think the failure is probably in the WINS service. Perhaps you were
using WINS via DHCP and that's no longer activated, or the WINS server
(presumably on your XP machine) has somehow failed?