Windows 98 dropped out of workgroup and will not rejoin

Have a network of 3XP and 2 98 machines. Had the 2 98
machines working fine in the same workgroup.

Then added my first XP. Around that time (may be
coincidence) one 98 machine dropped out of the home
network from the perspective that the other 2 machines
can't see it (no configuration changes, it still has the
same workgroup name, etc.). It can still access the
Internet, and the other two machines although they are
registered to the same workgroup and work together fine,
but do not see this one W98 machine.

I have tried changing workgroup names, changing PC names,
etc. Nothing can make this one machine see the others.

I have since added to more XP machines, and they too join
the workgroup fine. Again, they all have the same
workgroup name, and all can access the Internet. Very
frustrating.

Any suggestions?

In article <067001c37a5d$62d3a2d0$(E-Mail Removed)>, "Al"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>Have a network of 3XP and 2 98 machines. Had the 2 98
>machines working fine in the same workgroup.
>
>Then added my first XP. Around that time (may be
>coincidence) one 98 machine dropped out of the home
>network from the perspective that the other 2 machines
>can't see it (no configuration changes, it still has the
>same workgroup name, etc.). It can still access the
>Internet, and the other two machines although they are
>registered to the same workgroup and work together fine,
>but do not see this one W98 machine.
>
>I have tried changing workgroup names, changing PC names,
>etc. Nothing can make this one machine see the others.
>
>I have since added to more XP machines, and they too join
>the workgroup fine. Again, they all have the same
>workgroup name, and all can access the Internet. Very
>frustrating.
>
>Any suggestions?

Some possible fixes:

1. Use only one protocol for File and Printer Sharing. If the network
needs more than one protocol, unbind File and Printer Sharing from all
but one of them. Details here:

Windows XP Network Protocols
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/..._protocols.htm

2. Make sure that NetBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled on all computers.
Details here:

Enable NetBIOS Over TCP/IP (NetBT)
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...hoot/netbt.htm
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
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Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - Windows Networking
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm