If one or more computers is not showing up in your My Network Places/Network Neighborhood folder, one of the computers is not configured properly. Here are some things to look for:
Make sure the computers are set up to use a "Windows NT Domain" or a "Business Domain."
All of the computers should have the same setting for "Workgroup."
All computer should have the same protocol, clients, and services installed (e.g. TCP/IP, File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks, and Client for Microsoft Networks). Note that these protocols you have slightly different names in different versions of Windows. If you're using Internet Connection Sharing, the NetBEUI protocol should not be used; otherwise, you may need NetBEUI in order to access other computers on your network.
No two computers should have the same computer name.
Some computer names supported by Windows 2000 and Windows XP are not compatible with Windows 9x/Me, such as names with spaces. Simplify all your computer names and try again.
Don't discount the possibility of a hardware malfunction or a bad network cable. New network adapters (NICs) are ridiculously cheap and easily replaced.
The most common cause is authentication. Windows 2000 and WindowsXP won't allow remote access to any computer without a valid username and password. Conversely, Windows 9x/Me has virtually no security, and does not enforce any sort of user authentication.
Make sure your Windows 9x/Me systems all have valid users logged in; if you don't see Log off (username) in the Start Menu, then you're not really logged in. (Note that some early versions of Windows 95 might be a little flaky here).
Also, make sure you've entered a password; although Windows 9x/Me allows blank passwords, Windows XP/2000 does not.
See this link:
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article04-108
Maxwell
