Small business network

[Guest]

Ok, let's try this again. i have a problem with my small business network.
Everything will be fine, all computers and see each other in the workgroup,
all devices can be shared and added, everything is working fine, and then on
a random day it will quit communicating completely. All computers can still
access internet, all computers can still access software database on main
computer, but only 1/2 can view all workgroup computers and ping all
workgroup computers, the rest can only ping the main computer, but still
cannot view the main in the workgroup. Absolutely NOTHING has changed in the
network settings. The only way I figured out to change it last time was to
set up a whole new network from scratch...it worked for about a week. I
can't setup a whole new network every week. Is there a conflict between
Windows XP Media Center and XP Pro? Does anyone have any ideas why it would
all of a sudden do this?

Also since the IE7 update I get and error every time i close and internet
window and it will close down all internet windows. I have the problem on
all network workstations and my laptop. Any suggestions?

 

[Chuck]

Ok, let's try this again. i have a problem with my small business network.
Everything will be fine, all computers and see each other in the workgroup,
all devices can be shared and added, everything is working fine, and then on
a random day it will quit communicating completely. All computers can still
access internet, all computers can still access software database on main
computer, but only 1/2 can view all workgroup computers and ping all
workgroup computers, the rest can only ping the main computer, but still
cannot view the main in the workgroup. Absolutely NOTHING has changed in the
network settings. The only way I figured out to change it last time was to
set up a whole new network from scratch...it worked for about a week. I
can't setup a whole new network every week. Is there a conflict between
Windows XP Media Center and XP Pro? Does anyone have any ideas why it would
all of a sudden do this?

Also since the IE7 update I get and error every time i close and internet
window and it will close down all internet windows. I have the problem on
all network workstations and my laptop. Any suggestions?

Katie,

What you're describing sounds like a master browser conflict. The browser
system (which has nothing to do with Internet Explorer) helps you "see" other
computers, in Network Neighbourhood ("workgroup"). The browser system is very
reliable, when tuned properly, but it does need tuning.
<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

When this problem comes up, look at "browstat status" and "ipconfig /all", from
(at least) 2 problem computers, 2 with no problem, AND the main computer, and
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

 

[Guest]

Thank you so much Chuck!!! You are a lifesaver. You were right on the
money. I've been about to pull my hair out trying to solve this for a couple
of weeks now and even our IT guys were stumped...time to get new IT guys I
would suspect. I'm still having difficulting finding the Services Controller
to disable the browser, but the important thing is our network is functioning
fully!!!

 

[Chuck]

Thank you so much Chuck!!! You are a lifesaver. You were right on the
money. I've been about to pull my hair out trying to solve this for a couple
of weeks now and even our IT guys were stumped...time to get new IT guys I
would suspect. I'm still having difficulting finding the Services Controller
to disable the browser, but the important thing is our network is functioning
fully!!!

That's great news, Katie! Thanks for the feedback. The browser is not the most
understood network component, even some helpers here don't understand it. The
Services Controller isn't too hard to use, though.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/12/controlling-and-watching-services.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/12/controlling-and-watching-services.html