How can I fix windows workgroup problems

[dom_bow8]

My 4 commuters have problems seeing each other on my network. I used the network setup wizard, they are set up the same. Same work group and router. They are all running xp pro. If I change the workgroup name they will work for a little bit and be able to transfer files. I know at my work they have a program to connect the computers and fix this problem but I can find any.

[xfuuey]

Wait... so if you change them to different workgroups, they will work? :confused:

[dom_bow8]

They work until they decide not to work, which could be a day, a restart or a few hours.

[xfuuey]

i am confused. maybe i'm not understanding you correctly?

[maxhdrm]

Have you tried to "ping" the other computers? sometimes it list the error if it is network communication related.

Microsoft Also has a tool called MSD for Windows Workgroups which gives you an array of tools and print a list of the configuration for trouble shooting.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/wfw/6_ch13.mspx?mfr=true

It doesn't sound like a connectivity issue. have you checked to see if your SFS (Simple File Sharing) is turned on or the appropriate permission levels have been set up? Pass on sharing drives just share file and/or folders. If you want more control use Advance File Sharing.

*note it helps to have knowledge of NTFS and share permissions.

In Windows Explorer, click Tools, then click Folder Options.
On the View tab, in the Advanced Settings area, click to clear the Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended) check box.
1. Right click the folder you want to share, and then click Sharing and Security.
2. Click to select the Share This Folder check box.
3. In the Share Name box, enter the name of the share the way you want it to look on the network.
4. Click Permissions, and then edit the list of users who have access to the share. You can give each user or group full control of the share, permit them to change, or just read files.

You should now have complete control over how Windows XP Professional shares the folder on the network and who can access it.

Hope this helps.

[computoman]

I sure you do not have to worry about this , but for grins look at the dhcp lease time on your router. Make it the maximum. Also make sure the names of the computers are not identical. last of all. run winipconfig to make sure routing and ip configuration is correct. each machine should have a separate ip address that is is in the same subnet.

if the router address is 192.168.1.1 so all the computers should have the same first three bytes of 192.168.1
.