missing or corrupt microsoft windows network

[billrothe]

Have laptop and desktop, both WinXP Home,

Laptop wireless to router/AP laptop all OK

desktop Ethernet to router. when in any folder, tools button / map network drive/ browse for folder - microsoft windows network does not appear. Also at My Network Places / View workgroup computers nothing shows. Again, laptop is OK.

I can ping laptop from desktop, and see all shares on laptop from desktop. can open shares on laptop using "start run \\laptop\shares" I think my network is configured OK (has worked OK in past - able to see workgroop computers under microsoft windows network - don't know when it quit working , and NO I don't have a restore point

I have been all over the internet looking for solution. Have tried many potential fixes - all NG. My next step is a repair install unless some one out there can give me a better fix

TIA

Bill Rothe

[Tripredacus]

I am guessing that you (or something) changed a setting on the desktop. Make sure that File and Printer Sharing is still enabled, that you haven't changed any authentication settings (such as disable/delete the Guest account), didn't require a password or anything relating to user accounts. Verify that the share still exists and doesn't require a password.

[billrothe]

Thanks for te reply Tripredacus.

A repair instal did not fix the problem. Did a complete format and clean instal. All OK now.

If I remember, before clean install, FILE & PRINTER sharing was installed and working. I my have disabled or deleted the guest account - I did not know that the guest account was needed. is it? Guest account is OFF on laptop, and all is Ok.

all other accounts were ok - no passwords. all shares did still exist. again no passwords.

From a command prompt, the network looked fine. Only within the WinXP UI, "microsoft windows network" was not visible. Could not use the XP UI to see or Map drives or shares. Could do all above from command prompt.

Curious problem, but problem solved wit fress install - Just a lot of work finding install discs and licences.

Bill Rothe