I posted this query earlier in the Windows XP forum, but then realized that that was not the appropriate place to post it. So moderators, if you would please forgive me and delete the post over there and let this one stay, I would really appreciate it.

I have home network with two computers both hardwired to a Linksys Cable/DSL 4-port router which connects to my DSL modem. Both computers are running Windows XP. One (the HP Pavilion) is running the media edition and the other (the Dell Optiplex GX-260) is running professional edition. Neither have a fire wall running on them as I have the firewall in the router. I have run the network setup wizard on both computers.

When I go the My Network Places> Entire Network> Microsoft Windows Network> myhomegroup on either computer the name of the Dell computer is displayed but the name of the HP computer is not displayed. Same thing if I run net view from a command prompt, only the Dell computer shows in the list on both computers. I can do a SEARCH for the HP computer from the Dell computer and it will be found. After doing the search for the HP, I can access files on the HP from the Dell. So I know that it is accessible. Neither computer has any trouble accessing the internet. I have CHECKED the TCP/IP information on both computers, it is identical, both have Obtain IP address automatically, Obtain DNS server address automatically and Automatic private IP address set.

At one time, long ago, when the predecessor to the Dell was connected to the network I could see both computers in the workgroup, but one day I noticed that the HP computer had disappeared from the list. Even though the HP computer was gone from the list I could still access files on it from the other computer and of course I could access the other computer from the HP. So I am thinking that either I did SOMETHING or I ran a program that did something on the HP computer to prevent it from being visible in the workgroup list; but I don't RECALL having done any messing around with the network immediately prior to noticing the HP's disappearance. I seem to recall that it may have disappeared after my son-in-law connected his laptop to the network via a cable (I have no wireless in the house), but I could be mistaken about that. Other than that I have no idea what could have caused the HP to disappear from the list or how to make it reappear in the list.

Has anyone in this forum encountered this before? If so, can you tell me what may have caused this to occur and, more importantly, how to fix it? I would really like to be able to browse to the files on the HP from the Dell.

Also, since connecting the Dell to the network I cannot access it from the HP. I GET that annoying error message telling that I don't have rights to access the Dell computer and to contact my network administrator. Well, I am my network administrator and I have no idea how to resolve the situation. I have enabled file and printer sharing on the Dell. Do I need to reboot either one or both computers before that takes effect? If rebooting is not the answer, what else do I need to do?Quote from: binghamjc on July 31, 2010, 01:16:27 AM

I seem to recall that it may have disappeared after my son-in-law connected his laptop to the network via a cable (I have no wireless in the house), but I could be mistaken about that.