Workgroup Problem... Please Help!

[Keith]

Hi,

I have 6 laptops all the same model, I am connecting them through a standard
netgear switch (no DHCP).

The TCP/IP configuration is as follows:

Laptop1 - 192.168.0.2
Laptop2 - 192.168.0.3
Laptop3 - 192.168.0.4
Laptop4 - 192.168.0.5
Laptop5 - 192.168.0.6
Laptop6 - 192.168.0.7

The subnet mask for all are 255.255.255.0, I haven’t set any gateway or dns
configuration. Each has the same Workgroup name.

The purpose of the workgroup is to use ICS so all 6 can share the internet
connection which will be using a express card mobile broadband service.

I can ping all computers, I can see 5 computers but not one, it’s as if its
holding a token and wont display, if I turn the computer off that is unable
to be seen or see any of the other computers the workgroup stops working...
this is really frustrating, does anyone know what I have done wrong?

ICS and express card has not been enabled or installed at this point as I
want to get the workgroup working and reliable!

 

[Keith]

Forgot to post the error message:

Workgroup name is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this
network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you
access permissions.

The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available.

OS is XP Pro SP2

 

[Keith]

Sorry forgot to include the error message:

Workgroup name is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this
network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you
access permissions.

The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available.

OS is Windows XP Pro SP2

 

[Keith]

Hi,

I like responding to myself

More information that maybe of use, the computer that fails to be visable on
the workgroup is the one running msbrowse, now I need to know whether it can
be seen or not?

 

[Robert L. \(MS-MVP\)]

Sounds like master browser issue. Do you have an error in the event viewer?
Also you may want to use browstata to troubleshoot it. These search result
may help too.

Computer BrowserThe master browser has received a server announcement from
the computer <computer ... You have a master browser issue if you have the
following symptoms. ...
www.chicagotech.net/browser.htm


--
Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
http://www.HowToNetworking.com

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

Hi
Did you check that your Mobile card allows sharing?
Some of these cards do not support Routing applications.
Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[Keith]

Thanks for this, I am starting to think I might not have a problem, I can
access all laptops by computer name and IP no issues, so the only thing that
doesnt seem correct is not seeing the masterbrowser laptop in the workgroup
list... other than that it all works... I am going to live with it and focus

 

[Keith]

A very good point, and one that has brought me concern... I am going to call
support for the card and find out... I thought I might be able to bridge the
connections and then share?

ICS does work with a static IP doesnt it? I know it needs to be 192.168.0.1