One PC keeps dropping from Workgroup but internet still working

[PaultheITGuy]

Hello All,

This one has been driving me mad for a few months now - it started suddenly after 4 years of perfect running.

I have a workgroup called HOME with four PCs - 2 wireless laptops called L1 & L2, and 2 desktops called D1 & D2.

All are installed from the same installation CD - Windows XP Pro and are updated to the same latest automatic updates (SP3).

All of a sudden D1 has started dropping out of the 'View Workgroup Computers' screen and all the other PCs cannot ping or connect to it to view shared folders. However, on D1 the internet still works and D1 can ping the other three and connect to shared folders on them.

All 4 PCs have Zone Alarm Firewall with the ip range covering all 4 in exceptions. All 4 have AVG.

Restarting D1 will fix the problem temporarily, but it will suddenly drop out again after about 30 minutes.

Any ideas?

Let me know what other info you might need.

Thanks

P

 

[IllogicallyLogical]

Could be a "master browser" issue. Do you see any errors popping up in the event logs? Have a look at the following links and see if they offer any resolution to your problem. The first link presents a description that sounds very similar to the issue you are experiencing, the second link provides access to other links which will help in troubleshooting computer browser problems. Alternatively, you may try completely disabling Zone Alarm on the problematic system and see if the symptoms return when the firewall is taken out of the picture.

- Can't share after 15 minutes

http://www.chicagotech.net/troubleshooting/browsingissue1.htm

Q: We just installed Windows 2003 server in our network. We can share files and printers. However, we will experience a connection issue after 15 minutes. When we try to access the server, we receive the server is not accessible or no longer accessible messages. Rebooting the server may work for another 15 minutes. What’s the problem?

A: Sound like master browser issue. The master browser is responsible for collecting host or server announcements, which are sent as datagrams every 12 minutes by each server on the network segment of the master browser. If one of the computers takes over the master browser role from the Windows 2003 server, that may cause the computer browsing problem.

To confirm that, use browstst to check the master browser status. Also check the event ID 8021 and 8032.

- Computer Browser

http://www.chicagotech.net/browser.htm

Joey
CCNA, MCSA 2003, MCP, A+, Network+, Wireless#

 

[PaultheITGuy]

Hmmm - Master Browser could be the issue because the only thing I noticed in the event viewer was the Computer Browser service stopping and starting itself every few minutes.

I'll look into that tonight when I get home.

Thanks

PC

 

[xwb]

Is the link dropping when the screen saver cuts in?

Could it be the power saving options - pop up the network details dialog, click on configure, advanced, untick "switch off network to conserve power" (or something similar sounding).

 

[PaultheITGuy]

Thanks for the reply XWB - screen saver and power saving are turned off so it's not that.

PC