Network problem with computer name!

[Sir_George]

To All,

Here's the situation;

I have a very small network, only two computers connected via a D-Link
router. Because security is not an issue they are setup to use "Simple File
Sharing." Both systems have Windows XP Professional retail version OS. Both
computers are in a workgroup and all shared folders have the "Allow network
users to change my files" setting enabled. There is no domain.

Yesterday, after making a change to one of the files in a network folder,
the computer which had been named "Rob" was mysteriously changed to
"Unknown." An attempt to rename it only produced a new listing in the
network without removing any prior names.

I have checked all the settings and they have not been changed or modified.
System Restore did not correct the problem. I noticed that "Unknown" has
standard folder icons when viewed in the Network, but still has its old name
"Rob" and the appropriate network icons when viewed in the workgroup.
Everything still functions normally, but I would like to have the "Unknown"
name replaced with the original name.

A Google search regarding the subject line produced the following post from
"yellowpike" dated Jan 7, 2004;

(begin)
As for the "Unknown"

I (and many others) have the same thing but I've never found an explanation.
Even Steve Winograd (A real guru who posts here and writes for
PracticallyNetworked) has the same thing and is unable to explain.
Hope this helps and Happy New Year
yellowpike
(end)

I'm hoping that since Jan 7, 2004 someone has found a solution.

 

[David Dickinson]

Where did you see that the machine which should have been named "Rob" was
renamed to "Unknown"?

What kind of file in what folder did you change and how did you change it?

Are you using fixed IP addresses for the machines (e.g., 192.168.0.1 and
192.168.0.2) or are you using automatic IP addressing (169.x.x.x). Use
192.168.0.x instead.

On the "unkown" machine, in Control Panel\System Properties\Computer Name,
what is its name?

Via what computer name on the other machine can you access the "unknown"
machine?

 

[Sir_George]

David,

See answers in line below.

--
Sir_George

Where did you see that the machine which should have been named "Rob" was
renamed to "Unknown"?

In the network. Either by double clicking the "Network" icon on the desktop
or scrolling the folders in the "Folders" list.

What kind of file in what folder did you change and how did you change it?

It was an Excel spreadsheet in a folder on Rob named "Shared files on Rob"
and was changed by opening said file in Excel on the other computer. I'm not
sure what you mean by "how did you change it?" but I used Excel to change
approximately 6 entries in the spreadsheet.

Are you using fixed IP addresses for the machines (e.g., 192.168.0.1 and
192.168.0.2) or are you using automatic IP addressing (169.x.x.x). Use
192.168.0.x instead.

Using TCP/IP with DHCP; automatic addressing.

On the "unkown" machine, in Control Panel\System Properties\Computer Name,
what is its name?

The computer is still listed there as Rob.

Via what computer name on the other machine can you access the "unknown"
machine?

The other computer still identifies it as Rob. It is also identified as Rob
on the original computer when you go to the Network and select "View
workgroup computers." I have tried to rename the computer, but that only
added an additional name in the Network list; ie, Powerspec (other
computer), Gateway (new name) and Unknown.

Thanks for replying to my request.