I've got a 3-PC Microsoft network connected through a router/switch that I'm trying to add a laptop from my work to. I can get the internet (cable) on the laptop through the router, but I'm unable to browse the other PCs on the network or browse the laptop from the other PCs. When I select Network Neighborhood in Windows Explorer or on the desktop of the laptop the program stops responding. All the drives are set to be shared and I have print and file sharing turned on. I added the NetBEUI protocol to the laptop to match the other PCs on the network. They also have TCP/IP and IPX/SPX. The laptop has Novell protocols also. Could the Novell stuff be my problem? I am able to connect to a Novell network at work with this laptop. Any ideas? Thanks, Chip

When you say Microsoft, is it 9x or NT/2k? Do you log on to your network, or just boot up? If you have to log on, are you getting any error messages? I'm guessing from your description that is Windows 9x. Either way, check your TCP/IP settings on the NIC in the notebook and make sure that you are on the same subnet as the rest of your network. Also check and see if you need to add a gateway. See if you can ping the other computers in the LAN. If you are running an NT domain controller in the LAN, make sure that Microsoft Networking is set to join the domain and that the name of the notebook is listed in the controller's server manager. I wouldn't guess that NetBEUI or Novell would be an issue.

Make sure you have Client for Microsoft Networks install under Network properties.

Response #1 was good, but I have a feeling your running a simple network at home. I could be wrong though. Make sure the laptop is set to use the same workgroup as your other pc's. NetBEUI is necessary but I'm not too sure on IPX/SPX, I've never needed it. It would help if you could tell us more like what os your running, or your network layout/setup. Some problems occur with a cross-platform network. -Brian

Thanks for the responses. I'm running Win 98 on all except one desktop PC (Win ME). I do log on and don't get any errors. I have the same workgroup name on all PCs. I'm not running an NT domain controller in the LAN. Excuse my ignorance, but I'm not sure how to ping the other PCs on the LAN. Chip

First of all you will need to find out the Ip address of the machaine that you want to make contact with. To do this simply go to start -- run - -and type in winipcfg,and then click enter.This will then return the information ,ie the Ip address. Now to ping a computer ona network you do the following go to start - -programs - - ms dos prompt -- once you have opened the dos screen, type in ping followed by a space and followed by the IP address of the machaine that you want to ping. Regards jon

Also make sure file and print sharing are setup on laptop and other pcs.