Gosh and golly! A Windows XP Home networking problem!!!!!!!!!

[TomYoung]

Hi all:

I have 3 computers connected in an ethernet network:

Compaq running WinSE
Dell running WinXP Home
Homebuilt running WinME

My network has run fine for a year or so until about 2 or 3 weeks ago
when I removed a print server which required NetBUEI. As a result, the
network stopped working so well. After 2 or 3 days of thrashing about
and running "Network Wizards" (A Complete and Utter Waste of Time, btw)
I finally got things running again.

Well the problem has cropped up again, and I'm stumped, again. So, I
thought I'd throw myself on your tender mercies.

All computers have access to the internet (cable modem and router
setup.)
All computers can ping one another.
Compaq and Homebuilt play well together.
Dell machine can't see the other 2 computers on the network.
Compaq and Homebuilt can't access the Dell.

One odd thing: the Compaq has 2 harddrives which are shared; the Dell
can "see" and browse one(!) of the hardrives but can't see the other.

Clicking on "My Network Places" then "View Workgroup computers" on the
Dell results in:

"My Network Places"
"<Workgroup name> is not accessible..."

Clicking on "My Network Places" then "Entire Network" then "<Workgroup
Name>" then "Dell" results in both computers reporting back that the
Dell is not accessible.

Sounds like the typical "Master Browser" screw-up, doesn't it?

However, the Homebuilt, being on the most, is set as the Browse Master,
and Browse Master is disabled in the Compaq and Dell.

I've gone cross-eyed assuring myself that computer names and workgroup
names are correct on all the boxes.

Only running one protocol - TCP/IP - print and file sharing enabled,
something shared on all computers, etc., etc., etc.

Can anybody suggest something here?

TIA.

Tom Young

 

[TomYoung]

Well, when you're not sure of what you're doing and you're forced to
thrash about - something Windows prompts me to do A LOT, sometimes you
stumble into the answer by more-or-less sheer luck.

Norton Internet Security was "enabled" - by my daughter, I guess - and
that took the Dell box out of the game.

Disabling Norton Security if the "fix" here, though it's one of those
things that makes you go "Huh?"

Tom Young