Network disappears

[Michael Leahy]

Hardware Configuration: Computer 1 - XP Pro, networked via
Home Phoneline Network (PNA) to Linksys Gateway to Cable
Modem.
Computer 2: XP Pro w/SP2, networked via Linksys Wireless
Access point (802.11b) to Linksys Gateway via ethernet.
Computer 3: Win98SE, networked via PNA.
Computer 4: Win98SE, networked via PNA. (Rarely turned on.)

Peer-to-peer using a Workgroup. Common accounts on each
system. Simple File sharing off on both XP machines.
Windows Firewall on SP2 computer, Zone Alarm on other XP
machine and both Win98 systems.
Problem:
Computer 2, the wireless machine, disappears from the
network without warning. Can no longer share files, cannot
see the network, cannot ping, but still has Internet
Access, so it is getting through the Wireless Access point
and the Gateway.
Bad solution to the problem, so far. Turn off everything
back to the cable modem. Turn on Gateway, turn on Access
Point, turn on Computers 1, 2, and 3 in that order. Now
everything works, until it doesn't. Help!

 

[Robert L [MS-MVP]]

sounds like master browser issue. quoted from http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How do I know I have a browser problem

When you open My Network Places, the computer list you see is obtaining from
the master browser of your network. You have a master browser issue if you
have the following symptoms. 1) If you can ping a computer name, you can
search it, you can map it, but that computer doesn't show or take long time
to show up on My Network Places.
2) Net view command shows no lists or shows "System error 6118 has occurred.
The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available".
3) when clicking on Computers Near Me in My Network Places or workgroup name
in Entire Network, the following error message may appear: "Cannot Access
'Computers Near Me' " or "Workgroup is not accessible" errors.
4) when click workgroup name under Entire Network Places, you get "Workgroup
is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network
resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have
access permission. The list server for this workgroup is not currently
available."
5) Windows Explorer or My Network Places take a long time to open.
6) Event logs on servers show many master browser election messages.


--
For more and other information, go to http://www.ChicagoTech.net

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.

Robert Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN, Anti-Virus, Tips & Troubleshooting on
http://www.ChicagoTech.net
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties.

 

[Chuck]

Hardware Configuration: Computer 1 - XP Pro, networked via
Home Phoneline Network (PNA) to Linksys Gateway to Cable
Modem.
Computer 2: XP Pro w/SP2, networked via Linksys Wireless
Access point (802.11b) to Linksys Gateway via ethernet.
Computer 3: Win98SE, networked via PNA.
Computer 4: Win98SE, networked via PNA. (Rarely turned on.)

Peer-to-peer using a Workgroup. Common accounts on each
system. Simple File sharing off on both XP machines.
Windows Firewall on SP2 computer, Zone Alarm on other XP
machine and both Win98 systems.
Problem:
Computer 2, the wireless machine, disappears from the
network without warning. Can no longer share files, cannot
see the network, cannot ping, but still has Internet
Access, so it is getting through the Wireless Access point
and the Gateway.
Bad solution to the problem, so far. Turn off everything
back to the cable modem. Turn on Gateway, turn on Access
Point, turn on Computers 1, 2, and 3 in that order. Now
everything works, until it doesn't. Help!

Michael,

You have a browser problem on your LAN.

The Microsoft Browstat program will show us what browsers you have in your
domain / workgroup, at any time.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188305

You can download Browstat from either:
<http://www.dynawell.com/reskit/microsoft/win2000/browstat.zip>
<http://rescomp.stanford.edu/staff/manual/rcc/tools/browstat.zip>

Browstat is very small (40K), and needs no install. Just unzip the downloaded
file, copy browstat.exe to any folder in the Path, and run it from a command
window.

For more information about the browser subsystem (very intricate), see:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188001
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188305
<http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winntas/deploy/prodspecs/ntbrowse.mspx>

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

Computer 2, the wireless machine, disappears from the
network without warning. Can no longer share files, cannot
see the network, cannot ping, but still has Internet
Access, so it is getting through the Wireless Access point
and the Gateway.

Michael,

please have a look at http://www.michna.com/kb/wxnet.htm.

Hans-Georg