Question : Can ping, but cannot see computers on the network

Hi Everyone,
I have 2 computers networked via a wireless network...both run windows xp mce...both can connect to the access point, access the internet, and ping the gateway and each other no problem...however, when I go to the my network places area, and go view workgroup computers, i get nothing on my desktop computer and on my laptop I get the laptop name, but thats it...I tried the obvious things, made sure both were in the same workgroup, resetting tcp/ip, checking to make sure file/print sharing was on, and disabled my firewalls...I also went to control userpasswords2 and made sure I had at least 1 account on both computers with matching username and password...any ideas still...thanks in advance...

Answer : Can ping, but cannot see computers on the network

In order to be able to see all computers by name on a LAN without a WINS or DNS server (which I assume you do not have) you need to enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP. To do this,

1 - Go to the properties of you wireless connection
2 - Go to properties of the Internet Proptocol (TCP/IP)
3 - Click on Advanced
4 - Click on the WINS tab
5 - Change the NetBIOS setting from Default to Enable over TCP/IP

(The default setting will be OK if your router, that I assume allocates your IP addresses (DHCP), is not setting the NetBIOS option for you. This is the case on most routers.)

Make sure you have done this on all machines on the network and make sure you REBOOT all the machines after changing this setting. You should then be able to explore 'My Network Places'  and select the Microsoft Windows Network\Workgroup and you should see all the machines. You should also be able to to use the UNC of \\computer name in explorer.

If you have sharing enabled you will be able to browse to the machine and if you do not have direct rights you will be prompted for a username and password to access the shared resources on that machine.

Also...

Have you got UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) installed?
If not it's worth installing from the 'Add/Remove Windows Components' --> 'Networking Services' in the 'Add/Remove programs' in control panel.
Also make sure that UPnP is enabled on your wireless switch/router. Whether this will sort out your problem or not depends on how clever your router is. However this will allow both machines to communicate with the router more effectively anyway.