Missing PCs in Network neighbourhood

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Guest

Hello all

My network has, at the moment, over 100 PCs and 8 servers. However, most of
of time, when I access network neighbouthood, I can see only a handfull of
PCs, neer anything like the full list. The are no losses of network access,
and I can ping any PC I want. I just can't see them on the network
neighbouthood list. I also can't remotely access many of those I cannot see.
Any ideas on what might be causing this?
All PC have Windows XP Pro SP2, server is Windows 2003.

Any help is apreciated
 
To list a computer in My Network places, you may need to enable file and printer sharing.

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
Hello all

My network has, at the moment, over 100 PCs and 8 servers. However, most of
of time, when I access network neighbouthood, I can see only a handfull of
PCs, neer anything like the full list. The are no losses of network access,
and I can ping any PC I want. I just can't see them on the network
neighbouthood list. I also can't remotely access many of those I cannot see.
Any ideas on what might be causing this?
All PC have Windows XP Pro SP2, server is Windows 2003.

Any help is apreciated
 
Hello all

My network has, at the moment, over 100 PCs and 8 servers. However, most of
of time, when I access network neighbouthood, I can see only a handfull of
PCs, neer anything like the full list. The are no losses of network access,
and I can ping any PC I want. I just can't see them on the network
neighbouthood list. I also can't remotely access many of those I cannot see.
Any ideas on what might be causing this?
All PC have Windows XP Pro SP2, server is Windows 2003.

Any help is apreciated
Click to expand...

Joao,

Do all computers run File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks? Do all
computers have shared folders?
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#Components>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#Components

The next time that this happens, run "browstat status" and "ipconfig /all" from
3 computers - your computer, one computer that you CAN see, and one computer
that you CANNOT, so we can 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

You can read about the browser (and I'm not discussing Internet Explorer), and
why you can have problems:
<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
 
If you aren't running Active Directory on your network, you are experiencing
a very common non-problem involving browsing and master browser elections.
In a workgroup one or more PCs get "elected" as the master browser or backup
browse masters and contain a list of all the other computers, shares, etc.
in the workgroup.

When a computer is started up or shut down, especially a dominant partner
like Windows Server 2003 in a Windows XP workgroup, a new election is held
and browsing can be disrupted for up to 15 minutes while the browser
election takes place.

Since you experience no problems with pinging, shares or such you clearly
are experiencing browsing issues as opposed to true network problems.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
 
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