network intermitent

I have 2 win xp cpu's conected via a Linksys router. The problem is that I can see the 2 computers via My Network Neighborhood and the disks, etc. sometimes. It will work fine and then suddenly not allow access to the other computer. DSL is always working even when the other computer can't be accessed.

I've tried reboots on both sides to no avail. Sometimes after being off for the weekend Monday it will work fine and stay that way for weeks.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

This sounds like a NetBIOS problem as discussed in a number of other threads. See this thread for example.

First thing to point out is that browsing for a computer in Network Neighbourhood can be unreliable as you are finding. However, this does not mean that the underlying network is not working. All it means is that Network Neighbourhood isn't working as well as it could.

Therefore, as the underlying network is working, other access methods still work. You should be able to access another computer on the network by typing \\computername into the address bar of network neighbourhood (where computername is the name of the computer you are trying to access).

The main cause of the problem is that with a small network, there is no server to maintain settings, and each time you shut everything down and restart, all the configuration resets. There are a number of things you can do to lessen this effect:

• Leave the router on. The router gives out IP addresses. If it is left on, it will remember which computers it assigned each IP address and it is more likely to maintain a constant IP address mapping.
• If that doesn't work, you can either try moving to static IPs, keeping a PC on for long periods, or tweaking the master browser settings. Or, if none of those options appeal to you, get used to using the \\computer_name method.

 

Good suggestion.

I learned the hard way also. I was shutting down the Router and Modem. Now the Router, and Modem are on their own separate power source.

I started out with two machines. I now have three machines and a Printer plugged into the Router. Any machine can access the Internet or use the printer at any time regardlesss of the status of the other machines.

I have also had a case of two PCs playing a game and the 3rd on the Internet.

But I must add here that each machine was setup 100% independent of the other. The other two were OFF while the 3rd was being set up.

The printer also had to be installed on each machine but has been well worth it.

The games that my Wife and I play are installed on both machines. We play them over the LAN. But they can also be played on the individual machine.

Yes. I know that this is more work but it is WELL WORTH IT to have each machine independent.

Sharing is nice. But if something goes wrong it is not so nice.

BillyBob

 

Good point!

I have used this way to one of my customer who used linksys wireless router and encountered the same situation as glaw000 described above.

I just wonder if glaw000 using wireless or not.

 

Intermitent Network

Thanks for your replies.

I do leave the router on always. Perhaps that is why the network functions for long periods without problem. I have also noticed that Network Neighborhood will not show the other computer but a mapped drive is accessable.

The router is wired so no wireless issues.

Quote:
I started out with two machines. I now have three machines and a Printer plugged into the Router. Any machine can access the Internet or use the printer at any time regardlesss of the status of the other machines.

The printer is connected to 1 of the computers and this is the 1st I saw of the problem, can't print even though the printer had been installed. Is Billy Bob suggesting a printer sever connected to the router?

I am going to look at the NetBIOS thread and see if that has some leads.

Again thanks all.

 

No. ( unless the Printer itself contains one ) The printer ( HP5850 ) has its own separate cable plugged directly into the Router. And as I wrote before it does need to be installed on each machine.
I have an HP5550 connected to this machine and was shared but no one can use it if this machine was not on.
Again, that is why I have the Router, the Modem and the Printer on a separate power supply and are left on all the time.
The bottom line here ( at least for me ) is that no one machine depends on the other for anything.

BillyBob