Computer not appearing in workgroup

[Guest]

I am having a problem with a small home network. I have 2 W98 machines and a
Windows XP machine networked via a router/hub. Only one of 98 the machines is
visible in the workgroup icon (MSHOME) on the XP machine although if I search
for the other by name it is found within the workgroup and accessible. Both
98 machines see eachother and the one that is visible from the XP machine can
see the XP machine itself.

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to what is going on?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[Robert L [MS-MVP]]

sounds like computer browsing issue. quoted from http://howtonetworking.com.

How do I know I have a browser problem

When you open My Network Places, the computer list you see is obtaining from the master browser of your network. You have a master browser issue if you have the following symptoms. 1) If you can ping a computer name, you can search it, you can map it, but that computer doesn't show or take long time to show up on My Network Places.
2) Net view command shows no lists or shows "System error 6118 has occurred. The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available".
3) when clicking on Computers Near Me in My Network Places or workgroup name in Entire Network, the following error message may appear: "Cannot Access 'Computers Near Me' " or "Workgroup is not accessible" errors.
4) when click workgroup name under Entire Network Places, you get "Workgroup is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permission. The list server for this workgroup is not currently available."
5) Windows Explorer or My Network Places take a long time to open.
6) Event logs on servers show many master browser election messages.



Don't send e-mail or reply to me except you need consulting services. Posting on MS newsgroup will benefit all readers and you may get more help.

Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
How to Setup Windows, Network, Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties.
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I am having a problem with a small home network. I have 2 W98 machines and a
Windows XP machine networked via a router/hub. Only one of 98 the machines is
visible in the workgroup icon (MSHOME) on the XP machine although if I search
for the other by name it is found within the workgroup and accessible. Both
98 machines see eachother and the one that is visible from the XP machine can
see the XP machine itself.

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to what is going on?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[Chuck]

I am having a problem with a small home network. I have 2 W98 machines and a
Windows XP machine networked via a router/hub. Only one of 98 the machines is
visible in the workgroup icon (MSHOME) on the XP machine although if I search
for the other by name it is found within the workgroup and accessible. Both
98 machines see eachother and the one that is visible from the XP machine can
see the XP machine itself.

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to what is going on?

Thanks,
Paul

Paul,

Check for a browser conflict between the WinXP computer and the Win98 computers.
I"m not talking about Internet Explorer here. The browser is the program that
allows any computer to see any other computer on the LAN. The browsers for
WinXP (WinNT/2K/XP) and Win98 (Win95/98/ME) don't work well together on the same
LAN.

Stop the browser service on the WinXP computer. Control Panel - Administrative
Tools - Services. Verify that the Computer Browser service shows with Status =
Stopped and Disabled.

After checking / disabling / enabling as above, power all computers off to reset
the browser settings on each. Once ALL computers have been powered off, power
them back on.

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>

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia is not necessarily a bad thing - it comes from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.