[TerryNet]

If it's a firewall issue it is not Windows'. It most likely is a firewall (security suite) that was uninstalled, but didn't go cleanly, or was just forgotten and is still sitting around.

Try these two ways to see the shares:

Start - Run - \\chucksdesktop - OK
Start - Run - \\192.168.1.100 - OK

Don't bother with the second if the first works. Note the backslashes (\) are not forward slashes (/).
Make sure the following services are running (Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Services). The Startup Type on my machine is 'Automatic' except for the one indicated.

Computer Browser
DHCP Client
DNS Client
Network Location Awareness (Startup Type 'Manual')
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
Server
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Workstation

[daniels012]

\\chucksdesktop - ok
worked to get on the computer!
I will check the startup type in awhile.

Michael

[daniels012]

TerryNet,
I checked all of the items you listed. Everything checks out just as you have listed.
Any other ideas?

Michael

[TerryNet]

I'm pretty stumped because when a computer refuses to appear in My Network Places or in Vista's Network usually Start - Run - \\computer_name just verifies the problem and may give a hint as to what is the cause. Since that works for you it should be appearing.

I can think of nothing except my second sentence of post #16. What firewall or security suite or "network manager" is or was ever on that XP machine?

Wait; I see I was pretty ambiguous about the Services. You checked them on the problematic XP machine, right?

[TerryNet]

When you 'view workgroup computers' in My Network Places of the problematic XP machine does it show there? If not, it almost has to be a firewall or Services issue.

[daniels012]

I did check them on the XP machine with problems.
I had to reformat that hard drive on that machine. So there
was no firewall or security suite installed on this machine.
I did download AVG 8.0 as my antivirus.

Michael

[TerryNet]

Check the length of the Computer Description. One that was too long gave somebody some kind of problem a long time ago (sorry, can't remember the specifics).

[daniels012]

I did that. Changed to 3 letters, still no luck.
I appreciate your assistance so far. If anyone else has any ideas,
feel free to chime in!
Michael

[TerryNet]

Even though you've verified no firewall, I'd still like to know "When you 'view workgroup computers' in My Network Places of the problematic XP machine does it show there?".

Please show for that machine ...

Start, Run, CMD, OK to open a command prompt:
(For Vista type CMD in the Search box after Start)

Type the following commands:

nbtstat -n

IPCONFIG /ALL

[Note that there is no space between the slash and ALL.]

Right click in the command window and choose Select All, then hit Enter.
Paste the results in a message here.

If necessary use a text file and removable media to copy the results to a computer with internet access.

[highspeed]

Hey i think it's an Antivirus firewall which is blocking that network sharing, check your antivirus.
I have experienced the same problem but got it fixed when i checked my Eset Smart Security Antivirus.

[daniels012]

I use AVG and it works with other network computers in the office.
Just this one that does not show???

[Courtneyc]

Your settings are fine. You can ping the computer by IP address and by NetBIOS name.

You mentioned that you created a folder for sharing files. Did you actually share the files or just create the folder?

If you want to see if everything is set up and the computer is sharing something, do this: Go to any other computer on your network. in the Run box, type \\chucksdesktop (or whatever the name of the computer is). If an explorer window comes up, you are fine.

Keep in mind, My Network Places (or Network in Vista) actually have nothing to do with the actual network. Its only purpose is to make finding resources for us humans easier. The computers themselves don't use it.

For it to work, you need at least three things operational: (1) All computers participating must be running WINS or have NetBIOS over TCP/IP enabled. (2) The computer must have something shared (Network Neighborhood is an advertiser). (3) The master browser (exactly one of the machines on your network) must receive the advertising request. That is the only machine that actually makes the list that shows up in Network Neighborhood.

Courtney

[daniels012]

Courtney,
I can definately see the all shared folders on chucks computer when I type:
\\chuckscomputer - ok
1) All are in compliance
2) Done as you can see I have checked by doing the \\chuckscomputer check
Not sure on 3)?

Michael

[daniels012]

Is there a reason this would happen sometimes? Sometimes the computer shows up... then usually it does not??

MIchael