Network computers not visible

[Guest Ken]

XP Pro SP2

 

When viewing "Entire Network|Microsoft Windows Network|MSHOME" in My

Computer, from either of the two computers on my simple network, I can't see

the other computer.

 

From my desktop, only that computer itself shows up when MSHOME is expanded.

The laptop does not appear.

 

From the laptop, only the desktop shows up when MSHOME is expanded.

 

In other words, the laptop does not show up as a member of MSHOME on either

computer. The desktop shows up as a member on both computers.

 

Both computers are connected by cable to a Belkin router. They can ping each

others, and I can transfer files from one to another. (And yes, both are

indeed members of the MSHOME workgroup.)

 

I'm able to create on my desktop "Network Places" of shared folders residing

on the laptop by typing the complete path, but I can't do the simple thing

of browsing my way to the desired share.

 

It doesn't seem to be a firewall problem, because it persists even when the

firewall (Norton Personal Firewall) is turned off on both machines. FWIW,

I've configured both firewalls to trust the other computer, identifying it

both by MAC address and IP address.

 

Help?

 

Thanks.

 

Ken Isaacson

SILENT COUNSEL, a legal thriller

http://www.KenIsaacson.com

[Guest John John (MVP)]

Re: Network computers not visible

 

Check that the laptop isn't hidden from the Browse List. On the laptop

open a Command Prompt and issue the following command:

 

Net Config Server

 

Look to see if the server is hidden. If it is hidden issue the

following command to unhide it:

 

net config server /hidden:no

 

 

You can also check the same at:

 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanManServer\Parameters

 

Value Name: Hidden

 

0 = visible

1 = hidden

 

John

 

Ken wrote:

> XP Pro SP2

>

> When viewing "Entire Network|Microsoft Windows Network|MSHOME" in My

> Computer, from either of the two computers on my simple network, I can't see

> the other computer.

>

> From my desktop, only that computer itself shows up when MSHOME is expanded.

> The laptop does not appear.

>

> From the laptop, only the desktop shows up when MSHOME is expanded.

>

> In other words, the laptop does not show up as a member of MSHOME on either

> computer. The desktop shows up as a member on both computers.

>

> Both computers are connected by cable to a Belkin router. They can ping each

> others, and I can transfer files from one to another. (And yes, both are

> indeed members of the MSHOME workgroup.)

>

> I'm able to create on my desktop "Network Places" of shared folders residing

> on the laptop by typing the complete path, but I can't do the simple thing

> of browsing my way to the desired share.

>

> It doesn't seem to be a firewall problem, because it persists even when the

> firewall (Norton Personal Firewall) is turned off on both machines. FWIW,

> I've configured both firewalls to trust the other computer, identifying it

> both by MAC address and IP address.

>

> Help?

>

> Thanks.

>

> Ken Isaacson

> SILENT COUNSEL, a legal thriller

> http://www.KenIsaacson.com

>

>