Doug and Brian already responded before I got to the message. Both are
possibilities. In line with what Brian wrote, if you are not using
static ip addressing, then the order that the computers are booted in
may affect their network operation. I agree that static ip would make
things simpler. If you are already using static, and the cables and
connections are good, then we can probably blame Microsoft since it
seems to be blamed for all computer problems anyway :)

Peter ____________________________________________________________
Peter Shkabara - Computer Science Instructor
Columbia College - 11600 Columbia College Drive - Sonora, CA 95370
(209) 588-5156 - [log in to unmask] - http://gocolumbia.org/pesh



-----Original Message-----
Peter: here's one for you.  I have a Win Me and Win 98SE network at
home. I have an SMC 4-port router/switchbox.  I can always get on the
Internet with both machines, but only intermittently can I share files
and printers. I have no idea why both computers can see each other and
share on bootup today, but not tomorrow when I fire them up.  File and
printer sharing works perfectly some days, but not others (no changes
have been made).  Both computers can use the networked printer even if
they can't see each other.  Sometimes if I reboot each one a couple of
times they will see each other, and sometimes not.  The settings for
networking must be correct since it will work perfectly until they are
shutdown.  Where do I look for the problem?  The SMC router/switchbox is
only a few months old, and I can always log onto it from either
computer.  It shows both computers connected even when they can't see
each other. Any suggestions are welcomed.

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