Home network: can't see the other computer

[Guest]

I successfully set up a home network between my desktop and my laptop which
worked fine (printer sharing etc) with the laptop conneceted via a wireless
router. Then the other day I got an error message telling me the laptop
couldn't find the printer, and now no matter what I do I can't seem to join
the laptop to the network again, though the desktop can "see" the laptop.
Has anyone got any suggestions, please? Running Windows XP SP2.

 

[Chuck]

I successfully set up a home network between my desktop and my laptop which
worked fine (printer sharing etc) with the laptop conneceted via a wireless
router. Then the other day I got an error message telling me the laptop
couldn't find the printer, and now no matter what I do I can't seem to join
the laptop to the network again, though the desktop can "see" the laptop.
Has anyone got any suggestions, please? Running Windows XP SP2.

Alex,

One of the most common causes of this problem would be a misconfigured or
overlooked personal firewall, or other security component. There are several
other possibilities too, and any might be the cause of your problem. Read this
article with an open mind.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-visibility.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-visibility.html

Or look at "browstat status", "ipconfig /all", "net config server", and "net
config workstation", from each computer, and diagnose the problem. Read this
article, and linked articles, and follow instructions precisely (download
browstat!):
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp