Machines suddenly can't see each other

[Guest]

I have a large home network. 5 XP Home, 1 XP Pro, 1 Me, 1 Win2k & 1 NT4
(desktops) and 2 Win98 Laptops. This is the 3rd time I have had this
problem. For no reason I can detect all the XP machines in the home suddenly
can't find any other machines on the network. I have also observed the
same effect on my roomate's fathers much smaller home network. First time
was Dec 26th. Second time was about a week ago. And today it happened
again. Most of the machines have shared drives. 2 have shared pritners.
All are using the same network name, using DHCP (except the NT machine which
is set for a static IP) from a linksys router.

In the past 2 instances the only way I was able to restore the network's
connections was to change the name of the network. Originally it was set to
the default MSHOME. When I change it it restores the connections after the
reboot. and no, just a reboot doesn't do any good. I even took all the
mahcines down and the reouter and restarted them from cold. I even tried it
in several orders. At no time does this have any effect on the ability for
all the macines to access the internet.

Strangly the Me, 98 and NT machines do not suffer from this problem. They
can still see the XP and 2K machines even after the XP and 2K machines lose
their connections.

Just hoping someone can shed some light on this mess.

 

[Robert L [MS-MVP]]

it could be the master browser issue. this may help, http://www.howtonetworking.com/browser.htm

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.
I recommend Brinkster for web hosting!

I have a large home network. 5 XP Home, 1 XP Pro, 1 Me, 1 Win2k & 1 NT4
(desktops) and 2 Win98 Laptops. This is the 3rd time I have had this
problem. For no reason I can detect all the XP machines in the home suddenly
can't find any other machines on the network. I have also observed the
same effect on my roomate's fathers much smaller home network. First time
was Dec 26th. Second time was about a week ago. And today it happened
again. Most of the machines have shared drives. 2 have shared pritners.
All are using the same network name, using DHCP (except the NT machine which
is set for a static IP) from a linksys router.

In the past 2 instances the only way I was able to restore the network's
connections was to change the name of the network. Originally it was set to
the default MSHOME. When I change it it restores the connections after the
reboot. and no, just a reboot doesn't do any good. I even took all the
mahcines down and the reouter and restarted them from cold. I even tried it
in several orders. At no time does this have any effect on the ability for
all the macines to access the internet.

Strangly the Me, 98 and NT machines do not suffer from this problem. They
can still see the XP and 2K machines even after the XP and 2K machines lose
their connections.

Just hoping someone can shed some light on this mess.