my network places

[MIKE C.]

I have 3 computers (Main, Wife, Fam Room) networked through one Linksys router. All are WinXP pro. After setting up a home network I can get them to see each other and it works well.

THE PROBLEM IS:
After a few days of not using the network, it stops working. I have gone through this process many times with the same result.

I think I have isolated the problem to the main computer but have no idea what to look for.

When it stops working it's the main that can't see or be seen on the network. The others still see each other.

[TazUk]

Do you have a software firewall, including the built in Windows one, installed on that PC?

[MIKE C.]

WinXP firewall is turned on on all 3 computers.
There is no other firewall on any of the computers.
Don't forget that it does work for a day or two with the XP firewall on.

[TazUk]

Just to rule it out can you go intro Control Panel, Windows Firewall, Exceptions and make sure File and Printer Sharing is ticked on all three computers.

[MIKE C.]

Yup...File and Printer Sharing is ticked on all three computers.
For ease on typing:
Main = 1
Wife = 2
Fam Rm = 3

I turned off WinXP Firewall
Also running Eset smart security which does have a firewall.

This is really crazy... Now I have it working as follows:
1 sees 2 & 3
2 only sees 1
3 sees 1 & 2
NUTS!!!
Please stay tuned. Without changing anything I predict it'll go away in a day or two

[TazUk]

Windows networking has something called the master browser, basically the PC's on the network have what Microsoft term an election and one of the PC's is designated the master browser. the other PC's then refer to this to find out what other devices are on the network. If the master browser doesn't have a complete list of the PC's on the network then when the others query it you can end up with the situation you're in whereby not all the PC's can see each other. You can get around most of the issues with Windows networking by assigning static IP addresses on all the PC's and configuring the LMHOSTS file on each PC with a list of the other PC's.

[MIKE C.]

Just as I thought would happen. It's changed on it's own.
Now:
Computer 1 sees no other computer
Computer 2 only sees computer 1
Computer 3 only sees computer 1
Isn't this the craziest thing you ever heard of?

And as far as TazUK's suggestion.....
Messing with IP addresses and LMHOSTS files is above my pay grade (knowledge)

[TazUk]

When you ran through the networking wizard on the PC's did you say yes to sharing files/printers on all the PC's?

[MIKE C.]

Yes, I said yes to sharing files/printers on all the PC's.
All file sharing between all 3 computers works well for a day or two then changes by itself.