can't see computer in workgroup

[Guest]

I have 4 computers (A, B, C, & D) on a network all running Windows XP Pro.
Computer A has two network cards, one for the network and one connected to a
DSL modem. Computers C & D are not set up to access the internet. But
Computer B connects to the internet through computer A via the network. The
problem is that Computer B sometimes dissappears from the network and cannot
be seen in the workgroup by the other three computers, but you can see and
access the other computers from computer B. When Computer B is re-booted, it
will show back up on the network and can be seen and accessed from all
computers. But within an hour or so, it will dissappear from the workgroup
again. Does anyone have any ideals? Thanks in advance for any help or
suggestions.

 

[Chuck]

I have 4 computers (A, B, C, & D) on a network all running Windows XP Pro.
Computer A has two network cards, one for the network and one connected to a
DSL modem. Computers C & D are not set up to access the internet. But
Computer B connects to the internet through computer A via the network. The
problem is that Computer B sometimes dissappears from the network and cannot
be seen in the workgroup by the other three computers, but you can see and
access the other computers from computer B. When Computer B is re-booted, it
will show back up on the network and can be seen and accessed from all
computers. But within an hour or so, it will dissappear from the workgroup
again. Does anyone have any ideals? Thanks in advance for any help or
suggestions.

The browser is a very common cause of problems like yours.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/04/nt-browser-or-why-cant-i-always-see.html>

The Microsoft Browstat program will show us what browsers (I'm not talking about
Internet Explorer here) you have in your domain / workgroup, at any time.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188305

You can download Browstat from either:
<http://www.dynawell.com/reskit/microsoft/win2000/browstat.zip>
<http://rescomp.stanford.edu/staff/manual/rcc/tools/browstat.zip>

Browstat is very small (40K), and needs no install. Just unzip the downloaded
file, copy browstat.exe to any folder in the Path, and run it from a command
window, by "browstat status". Make sure all computers list the same master
browser.

For more information about the browser subsystem (very intricate), see:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188305
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188001
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=231312
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q102878/
<http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winntas/deploy/prodspecs/ntbrowse.mspx>
<http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/win95/w95brows.mspx>