I Hope somebody will save my hair. I have two desktop machines and one laptop that were all networked together and shared files without any problem. My main PC had a software problem that neccessitated that I reload Windows. I saved files and settings, formatted the disks [RAID 1], put back files and settings and all programmes. I ran the network wizard, but there is no way that this pc will see either of the other two machines. This I must say is typical windows stupidity, but can anyone tell me what to do to cure it. Thanks in hope!! Reynards

Might start with the xp help and support center. There is a network diag page. You would need to view all the network settings on the systems to compair. See workgroup name so that they are the same, use IP address's instead of names, if you have a firewall then you might have allow either an IP range and/or protocol. I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.

Thank you for your reply. I have gone through the help and support channel and as usual it is entirely useless for a specific problem unless that problem fits the parameters set by windows. I did not have to use IP addresses before, just the workgroup name. I run Norton Internet Security and I had that before, and did not have to allow usage then. I set up my networking exactly the same way every time, but it would appear that windows has different ideas. It's not where I put it!

search for the ip adress under search computers. it should come up just click on it and use it like a file. you will also find it is now in my network places dont ask me why this works but a peer to peer networks have some funny quirks. i think microlimp deliberately made them flakey all text needs typos. There there for the reader to find,to distract them from the total lack of content. google it! wasnt the answer to the question i asked so dont be dense and give me that repl

Thanks for that. This now gets very confusing.My laptop and No 2 Desktop see and talk to each other. No1 Desktop can ping both the laptop and No2. I can search & find No2 and add it as a network place. No1 can also find the laptop but when you try to add it as a network place it tells me that the address is invalid. Neither the laptop nor No 2 can ping No 1. Now is this typical of the stupidity of windows. I shall have to give up now as I am on holiday for ten days, but I shall take up the cudgells as soon as I get back. Hopefully by then some brilliant brain will have had time to sort it out. Thanks It's not where I put it!