G
Guest
I usually find it challenging to solve my own computer problems, but I have a
networking problem that has got me stumped.
I have a small home Ethernet network (via a DLink router and Linksys switch)
consisting of 4 computers (3 of which run Windows XP SP2, and the fourth
running Windows 95). I also have a networked printer and a Simpletech NAS
device, all of which have been living together comfortably. No networking
problems whatsoever.
One of the XP machines was in serious need of a clean reinstall of its
operating system, so I did a clean reinstall of XP SP2. That went without a
hitch. I had a nice fresh Windows installation, did all the upgrades, and
got the system all set up. I ran the Network Wizard on that machine, in the
hopes of reconnecting to my little home network, which I’ve name HOME,
followed all the rules and naming conventions, and I got some rather
interesting results.
The machine in question can see all the other machines on the HOME network,
connect to their shared drives, and to the NAS device; however, it does not
appear when I select Show All Workgroup Computers, either on itself or on
other machines, nor does it show in Windows Explorer when I go to view the
Entire Network. Oddly though, I can search for the errant computer using
Windows Search, find the computer (in a folder called, what else, HOME), and
I can access its shared folders. In short, it seems to be accessible on the
network, can share network resources, but it is quite invisible!
I’ve done all the regular hardware checks, did all the pings, checked things
out using IPCONFIG, and I haven’t encountered anything that I could spot that
would indicate anything out of the ordinary.
One exception: When I select View Network Connections (from My Network
Places) all the other machines indicate LOCAL AREA CONNECTION 2, while the
machine in question shows LOCAL AREA CONNECTION – I’m assuming, indicative of
the computers being on different LANs! Can someone help me unravel this
mystery? I would even be willing to create a new network (using the default
MSHOME) and run the Network Wizard on the all the machines and reconfigure
all the devices. Anything to restore order on my network!
Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide. Please feel free
to embarrass me with a simple solution; if I read another networking article
on the Internet, I think I’m going to explode!
networking problem that has got me stumped.
I have a small home Ethernet network (via a DLink router and Linksys switch)
consisting of 4 computers (3 of which run Windows XP SP2, and the fourth
running Windows 95). I also have a networked printer and a Simpletech NAS
device, all of which have been living together comfortably. No networking
problems whatsoever.
One of the XP machines was in serious need of a clean reinstall of its
operating system, so I did a clean reinstall of XP SP2. That went without a
hitch. I had a nice fresh Windows installation, did all the upgrades, and
got the system all set up. I ran the Network Wizard on that machine, in the
hopes of reconnecting to my little home network, which I’ve name HOME,
followed all the rules and naming conventions, and I got some rather
interesting results.
The machine in question can see all the other machines on the HOME network,
connect to their shared drives, and to the NAS device; however, it does not
appear when I select Show All Workgroup Computers, either on itself or on
other machines, nor does it show in Windows Explorer when I go to view the
Entire Network. Oddly though, I can search for the errant computer using
Windows Search, find the computer (in a folder called, what else, HOME), and
I can access its shared folders. In short, it seems to be accessible on the
network, can share network resources, but it is quite invisible!
I’ve done all the regular hardware checks, did all the pings, checked things
out using IPCONFIG, and I haven’t encountered anything that I could spot that
would indicate anything out of the ordinary.
One exception: When I select View Network Connections (from My Network
Places) all the other machines indicate LOCAL AREA CONNECTION 2, while the
machine in question shows LOCAL AREA CONNECTION – I’m assuming, indicative of
the computers being on different LANs! Can someone help me unravel this
mystery? I would even be willing to create a new network (using the default
MSHOME) and run the Network Wizard on the all the machines and reconfigure
all the devices. Anything to restore order on my network!
Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide. Please feel free
to embarrass me with a simple solution; if I read another networking article
on the Internet, I think I’m going to explode!