All computers not visible on home network

[Charlie]

I have 2 Vista machines and 1 XP media center machine which were all visible
to each other and between which files could be shared. Today I installed the
MS updates for the Vista machines and could not see other computers on one of
the Vista machines (Desktop Vista machine), nor could the other two machines
see the Desktop Vista machine. I system restored back to a day previous and
the same situation prevails. Strangely, the other Vista machine (Laptop
Vista) can see the XP machine, and the LT Vista was updated and remains so.
All machines are discoverable and all have shared folders.
Thanks.

 

[Chuck [MVP]]

I have 2 Vista machines and 1 XP media center machine which were all visible
to each other and between which files could be shared. Today I installed the
MS updates for the Vista machines and could not see other computers on one of
the Vista machines (Desktop Vista machine), nor could the other two machines
see the Desktop Vista machine. I system restored back to a day previous and
the same situation prevails. Strangely, the other Vista machine (Laptop
Vista) can see the XP machine, and the LT Vista was updated and remains so.
All machines are discoverable and all have shared folders.
Thanks.

Charlie,

I'd look at logs from "browstat status", "ipconfig /all", "net config server",
and "net config workstation", from each computer, and diagnose the problem.
Read this article, and linked articles, and follow instructions precisely
(Download browstat, and run the command window in Vista as an admin!):
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp

Then, I'd look at all personal firewalls and other security components. This
problem is generally a case of blocked SMBs.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.

 

[Charlie]

Chuck:

OK, I'm working on this but am snagged on browstat. I downloaded it,
created a c:/utility folder and stuck the executable in there. Then I
changed my environmental variable like you directed. It didn't work, so I
chdir'd to c:/utility and tried to run it and still could not.
I'd like to provide output all at one time, i.e. ipconfig, netconfig and
browstat, so I'm going to hold off until I can figure out how to run
browstat...do you see what I may have done wrong?
Of course the overarching question for me is...what changed and what caused
a change on this computer only, not allowing it to be seen on the network?
Thanks a lot.

Charlie
--
Charlie

I have 2 Vista machines and 1 XP media center machine which were all visible
to each other and between which files could be shared. Today I installed the
MS updates for the Vista machines and could not see other computers on one of
the Vista machines (Desktop Vista machine), nor could the other two machines
see the Desktop Vista machine. I system restored back to a day previous and
the same situation prevails. Strangely, the other Vista machine (Laptop
Vista) can see the XP machine, and the LT Vista was updated and remains so.
All machines are discoverable and all have shared folders.
Thanks.

Charlie,

I'd look at logs from "browstat status", "ipconfig /all", "net config server",
and "net config workstation", from each computer, and diagnose the problem.
Read this article, and linked articles, and follow instructions precisely
(Download browstat, and run the command window in Vista as an admin!):
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp

Then, I'd look at all personal firewalls and other security components. This
problem is generally a case of blocked SMBs.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.

 

[Chuck [MVP]]

Chuck:

OK, I'm working on this but am snagged on browstat. I downloaded it,
created a c:/utility folder and stuck the executable in there. Then I
changed my environmental variable like you directed. It didn't work, so I
chdir'd to c:/utility and tried to run it and still could not.
I'd like to provide output all at one time, i.e. ipconfig, netconfig and
browstat, so I'm going to hold off until I can figure out how to run
browstat...do you see what I may have done wrong?
Of course the overarching question for me is...what changed and what caused
a change on this computer only, not allowing it to be seen on the network?
Thanks a lot.

Charlie,

Yes, knowing what changed would be helpful. Barring that, knowing what's going
on right now is a good compromise. Logs from browstat can be very helpful in
this case. Did you open the command window as an administrator?

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.

 

[Charlie]

Yes, I am the only user of the PC and there are no other accounts. And when
I encountered the error message, I went back to your instructions, and opened
the cmd window per the Vista process, although the end result is the same.

Thoughts?
--
Charlie

Chuck:

OK, I'm working on this but am snagged on browstat. I downloaded it,
created a c:/utility folder and stuck the executable in there. Then I
changed my environmental variable like you directed. It didn't work, so I
chdir'd to c:/utility and tried to run it and still could not.
I'd like to provide output all at one time, i.e. ipconfig, netconfig and
browstat, so I'm going to hold off until I can figure out how to run
browstat...do you see what I may have done wrong?
Of course the overarching question for me is...what changed and what caused
a change on this computer only, not allowing it to be seen on the network?
Thanks a lot.

Charlie,

Yes, knowing what changed would be helpful. Barring that, knowing what's going
on right now is a good compromise. Logs from browstat can be very helpful in
this case. Did you open the command window as an administrator?

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.