Can't access file/print server

[Rich]

We have a peer to peer network consisting of one f/p server running win2Kpro
and 5 client pcs running winxppro. Until Tuesday everything's been running
fine for two years. All of a sudden it seems that while the server computer
can see all of the client pcs the clients can't see the server. When
attempting to open WinExplorer on the client pcs it freezes and gives the
flashlight icon for up to a half hour before showing the contents of my
computer and the networked drives. Yet when I use a command prompt I'm able
to access all of the local drives instantly. This has happened
simultaneously on all the client pcs so I'm working on the theory that they
are not communicating with the server properly.

Things I've done.

reset the router
confirmed network settings
ran all Windows updates with the exception of sp4 on the server as it took
out the network when it was installed a year ago. Uninstalling it then
fixed the problems.
complete virus check
spybot and adaware found problems and removed them but did not fix the
problem
replaced cable from server to network

As the server can see all of the clients and the clients can eventually see
the server I figured that the NICs in the clients were all OK. I
disconnected all of the clients from the network and started adding them
back in one by one. With just one client on the network the problem still
persisted. I disconnected that one and added a different one. Same problem
leading me to believe that the issue is with the server, not the client pcs.
I haven't yet swapped out the NIC in the server PC which I'll do this
evening.

I am looking for any other pertinent suggestions as well.

Thanks much,
Rich

 

[Marina Roos [SBS-MVP]]

You should really apply SP4 and ms03-039 and ms04-007. Just make sure you
stop all 3rd party services like antivirus before installing a servicepack.