HOSTS file Advice Please

[Guest]

I have four PC's running XP Pro in wired peer to peer network, all have the
same workgroup name. At times one or all of the PC's cannoct 'see' the
others, if this happens I change the workgroup name on all PC's and once
again they can all 'see' each other. Its getting a bit tedious changing the
workgroup names. Would using the HOSTS file on each computer give more
reliability, if so how should the HOSTS files be used.

Mike

 

[Jerry]

The HOSTS file is not involved with the workgroup names in a network.

Is is used to resolve the web site 'name', i.e. www.microsoft.com with the
numbers used as an address to navigate the web, i.e. 207.46.197.32
windows.microsoft.com shows the numbers the system uses to get to the URL.

You will find that the HOSTS file is full of these xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx sequences
and various sites - nowhere is there a mention of the workgroup.

 

[Chuck]

I have four PC's running XP Pro in wired peer to peer network, all have the
same workgroup name. At times one or all of the PC's cannoct 'see' the
others, if this happens I change the workgroup name on all PC's and once
again they can all 'see' each other. Its getting a bit tedious changing the
workgroup names. Would using the HOSTS file on each computer give more
reliability, if so how should the HOSTS files be used.

Mike

Mike,

You have a master browser conflict, caused by a segmented workgroup. If this
problem is chronic, it's probably caused by one computer losing contact with the
current master browser, temporarily.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/04/nt-browser-or-why-cant-i-always-see.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/04/nt-browser-or-why-cant-i-always-see.html

It can also be caused by things like personal firewalls blocking the SMBs that
transport the browser advertisements. This shouldn't come and go though, nor
should it be corrected by simply changing the workgroup.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-visibility.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-visibility.html

When this happens again, look at "browstat status" and "ipconfig /all" 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