network workgroup name not accessible AGAIN

[AB]

A couple of months ago, my workgroup name used for many years (let's call it
ABC) stopped working. I could access my networked computers by using their
paths \\mylaptop\downloads but not their network name. I rebooted but it did
not help.

So I changed the workgroup name to ABC2 and it worked for 2 months up to
today at 4 PM, when workgroup names were last used to share some files.

Suddenly, again, I could use the paths but not the workgroup. I rebooted but
it did not help. I changed the workgroup on 4 of my computers to ABC3,
rebooted, and I see the networks again.

What could be ruining my workgroups while allowing paths to still work? Any
suggestions for the future (since I've changed workgroup names for now)?

Thanks.

 

[Jack \(MS, MVP-Networking\)]

Hi
If you maintain one cohesive peer-to-peer network all computers should be
configured to the same Network /Work Group name and each one should have a
unique name.
Within this Network/Workgroup you do not need to use the Network name just
the \\computer name\drive\older.
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)