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Comps disapeared from Network Neighbor.?

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9 replies

by dburton

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I have a network that is peer-to-peer, with 12 computers. Last week all of them disapeared from Network Neighborhood. Nothing has changed. I can goto Find/Computers and find each on them, map drives to them, etc.

It is the strangest thing. Any advise?

9 replies

by dmiles

Check all cables to computers to make sure that they are still making good contact.
Then go back and check the proxy server settings plus the file and print sharing if they are still configured to your specs.If this is all good then it will be difficult to troubleshoot until it happens again.

by dburton

Cables are good because I can manually find other computers and I can manually map a drive to them. I just cannot see them in "Network Neighborhood."

There is not a proxy server.

by tomsal

First of all I have no idea why someone even suggested the term "proxy server" in this scenario. A proxy has no role in this situation. Second I could provide you with better help if you tell me the OS for each of the 12 computers. Third, network neighborhood is just a nice pretty interface to something called the "browser service". The browser is inherently innaccurate and its only real purpose is to give you an "idea" of the current network in a pretty way. As you pointed out even with out the browser, in a functional network you can still share files/printers/etc.

I have several ideas but they rely on what OS you are using and what Networking protocol(s). But for now if you are running straight IPX/SPX (in a small network this is advisable unless you need Internet). If you're running IPX then you should be running NETBIOS over IPX as well on ALL machines...

Right click network neighborhood, properties, highlight IPX/SPX in the protocol list box, select properties - check thebox next to "I want to enable NETBIOS over IPX" then reboot. Do on all machines. When done on all try Net Neighborhood again. My wording may not be exact, but you'll get the idea when you see it.

Hope this helps.

-later

by Former member

Network Neighborhood. Worthless. Hands down. Don't use it.

Otherwise if you insist, Force one computer to be a Master Browser. I suspect the master browser is either off-line or changed. Everyone in the same workgroup? File and Print sharing enabled? Check LMAnnounce settings. PLay with these settings. What protocol are you using. TCP/IP? Netbeui? Netbeui is good for peer-to-peer, non-internet network. Better even if you wnat consistent browsing.

by travkinlaw

"Cables" and a "proxy server"..Geez...
Might as well try to "format" and "fdisk" while you're checking the proxy...just kidding

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