Computer will not Stay connected to Workgroup

[Bruce]

Any help would be appreciated. I have a small workgroup set up.
Initially, when I reboot one of the PC's, it
shows up while browsing the network on all of the other PC's.

Some time later, it just seems to disappear.

If I browse the Microsoft Windows Network -> Workgroup the PC is
listed and I have access to it. Later (at a time frame I have not yet
figured out) it just disappears even though the PC is working just
fine.

The PC which disappears still has full access to the other computers
browsing using the same method.

I am not sure if it is related but I am also unable to use the Network
ID button from the Computer Name tab of the System properties. it is
grayed out.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Robert L [MVP - Networking]]

Sound like master browser issue. This search result may help,

Computer BrowserHow do I know I have a browser problem How to disable Master Browser in XP, 9X, W2k How to fix browsing problem in a mixed OS workgroup ...
http://www.chicagotech.net/browser.htm


Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
Any help would be appreciated. I have a small workgroup set up.
Initially, when I reboot one of the PC's, it
shows up while browsing the network on all of the other PC's.

Some time later, it just seems to disappear.

If I browse the Microsoft Windows Network -> Workgroup the PC is
listed and I have access to it. Later (at a time frame I have not yet
figured out) it just disappears even though the PC is working just
fine.

The PC which disappears still has full access to the other computers
browsing using the same method.

I am not sure if it is related but I am also unable to use the Network
ID button from the Computer Name tab of the System properties. it is
grayed out.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Bruce]

Thanks Bob,

I think this is the cause of the problem. I have two nic's on the
particular PC. It has a dedicated DSL line and a second nic which
connects to the workgroup.

I am disabling the Master Browser on the PC. If it does not work, do I
understand correctly that I can disable the WINS service on the Nic
which connects to the DSL and that should also solve the problem?

Bruce

 

[Robert L [MVP - Networking]]

If disabling the WINS on the NIC doesn't work, you can try this link,

name resolution and connectivity issues on RRASSelect a Topic, VPN How To, Network How To, Remote Access How To ... Case Study - Name resolution and connectivity issues on a RRAS that also runs DC, DNS ...
http://www.howtonetworking.com/casestudy/rraswithdcdnswins1.htm


Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
Thanks Bob,

I think this is the cause of the problem. I have two nic's on the
particular PC. It has a dedicated DSL line and a second nic which
connects to the workgroup.

I am disabling the Master Browser on the PC. If it does not work, do I
understand correctly that I can disable the WINS service on the Nic
which connects to the DSL and that should also solve the problem?

Bruce

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Any help would be appreciated. I have a small workgroup set up.
Initially, when I reboot one of the PC's, it
shows up while browsing the network on all of the other PC's.

Some time later, it just seems to disappear.

If I browse the Microsoft Windows Network -> Workgroup the PC is
listed and I have access to it. Later (at a time frame I have not yet
figured out) it just disappears even though the PC is working just
fine.

The PC which disappears still has full access to the other computers
browsing using the same method.

I am not sure if it is related but I am also unable to use the Network
ID button from the Computer Name tab of the System properties. it is
grayed out.

Thanks for any help.

In my experience, browsing computers through XP's "My Network Places"
is inherently unreliable, and I recommend not using it. You can spend
a lot of time troubleshooting it, but I don't think it's worth the
effort.

To access another computer directly, without using My Network Places,
type the other computer's name in the Start > Run box in this format:

\\computer

To access a shared folder directly, type the computer name and the
folder's share name in the Start > Run box in this format:

\\computer\share

You can also create a desktop shortcut to the another computer or
shared folder specifying the location of the item as:

\\computer

or

\\computer\share
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

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