Windows XP no pc names showing in "WorkGroup"

[probe3]

Hello,

A bit of history: I was supposed to setup a VPN connection to my
employer using a WatchGuard SOHO router, i had to change dns info for
it to work. The VPN worked successfully. Then after disabling VPN, and
trying to revert back to my Workgroup, no machines names are showing
up. This is true with all 5 Windows XP pc's on the network. I can
acess all shares only when I type in the IP address.

I followed Microsoft direction to enable NetBIOS over IP and to
restart Computer Browser service. Computer Browser Service restarted
successfully on all machines. But still no luck.

I have heard people here mentioning LMHOSTS file, that it might get
corrupt or non-updated. There is an option to IMPORT the LMHOSTS file
- but I do not know the the filename/extension for this file.

Also - would installing the Windows XP cd- doing a repair - fix this
problem without replacing my current settings?

[Jim]

When enabling NetBIOS over TCP/IP, it may take a while, this affects the
Computer Browser and works (roughly) based on the PCs in your neighborhood
broadcasting and exchanging their NetBIOS name tables. It only happens
periodically. And in a peer-to-peer network, not nearly as reliably as
client-server (e.g., using W2K server w/ WINS server and/or DNS).

The LMHOSTS file has no extension, it's simply a measure of LAST RESORT
(when all other solutions fail), but FIRST RESORT when specified. You can
simply added your NetBIOS names and IP address mappings to the file, and it
will always look their first. Of course, it's only as good as your ability
to keep it current! So when using DHCP, it can be problematic unless you
run 24/7 and/or use long leases. But it will work, if only because you're
TELLING the PC what the mappings are. The only other choice is to install a
local WINS server, or perhaps find a public WINS server you can all register
to! I have seen these from time to time.

Finally, when all fails, I just install NetBEUI and be done w/ it. Frankly,
in using Windows since '90, I've find the Computer Browser a royal pain and
terribly problematic, esp. on a pure P2P network. It's never clear WHO the
master browser is, so you end up w/ elections, and a whole lot of confusion.
Especially when machines are up and down all the time. And since I couldn't
care less about browsing Network Neighborhood or My Network Places for my
home networking (even when it works it's too slow), I ignore it. I just
reference the computers by IP address or keep an LMHOSTS file. You can find
a sample of LMHOSTS called LMHOSTS.SAM under
%systemroot%\system32\drivers\etc. Just copy to LMHOSTS, add your
mapping(s), then nbtstat -R to reload the name cache.

HTH

--
Jim
JAN, NCFADT, BDMF, PA, AANG



"probe3" > wrote in message
om...
> Hello,
>
> A bit of history: I was supposed to setup a VPN connection to my
> employer using a WatchGuard SOHO router, i had to change dns info for
> it to work. The VPN worked successfully. Then after disabling VPN, and
> trying to revert back to my Workgroup, no machines names are showing
> up. This is true with all 5 Windows XP pc's on the network. I can
> acess all shares only when I type in the IP address.
>
> I followed Microsoft direction to enable NetBIOS over IP and to
> restart Computer Browser service. Computer Browser Service restarted
> successfully on all machines. But still no luck.
>
> I have heard people here mentioning LMHOSTS file, that it might get
> corrupt or non-updated. There is an option to IMPORT the LMHOSTS file
> - but I do not know the the filename/extension for this file.
>
> Also - would installing the Windows XP cd- doing a repair - fix this
> problem without replacing my current settings?