OS: Win XP Home, XP Pro, Win 7 - my problem is with window's seemingly weak network facility (I don't know the correct terms)This had bugged me for years now since I learned how to setup a small home network.I have 5 computers in my home-office all members of a WORKGROUP and all using the same DSL line for internet access; I use a DSL modem connected to a wired/wireless router where a Print Server is also connected: I did not have any problem with internet access and printer access to all (thank God for this).What bugs me a lot is that ONE computer is intermitently visible in the network: I have a desktop that serves as my main production machine, an old IBM T23 used as my Music Server, 2 other laptops (XP & W7), and an Apple Desktop. It is the Music Server/T23 that is intermittently visible/available - what in the world is happening here?For a time, I used Ubuntu & OpenSUSE and I never had this problem - i.e. all computers are ALWAYS visible and all shared folders are accessible - ALWAYS (which made me say above that window's network facility is weak).TIA,egay.e. "The test of a man's character is what it takes to stop him." Dr Bob Jones, Sr1 person needs an answerI do too

To access another computer, regardless of whether that computer is visible in My Network Places, Network Map, etc:1. Press WindowsKey+R .2. Type the other computer's name in the Open: box in this format: \\computer3. Press Enter .Boulder Computer MavenMicrosoft Most Valuable Professional

Often this is the result of a firewall program installed on any computer in the subnet. It could also be due to the power settings on that computer that will shut down the hard drive or network card if the computer is idle for a period of time. Try bringing up device manager (Start -> Run -> "devmgmt.msc") then double-click on the network adapter. Check the "power management" tab and see if you are allowing the computer to power down the network card to save power. If this should happen, the computer will seemingly disappear from the network.With such a small network and if you use this server often, you might find it more convenient to create a shortcut to the server rather than to depend on it showing up in the network neighborhood. When you do see it in the network neighborhood, simply drag it to your desktop with the right mouse button then select "Create Shortcut Here". Then double-clicking the shortcut should connect quickly so long as the server is awake enough to monitor the network.HTH, JW