One workgroup pc suddenly not cooperating with the others

I have a four-computer network that generally works well. On each pc's desktop there are four icons for the four pcs that each contain icons that allow easy file transfer between the pcs. Mostly I back up audio and video files on more than one pc.

This backing-up process has worked very well for several years, but recently one pc has misbehaved. It began yesterday by displaying an icon for a folder that belonged on another pc, and today the icon for the pc concerned refuses to open at all, on any pc. Another issue is that the pc not being displayed properly is downstairs, which is most inconvenient.

I am now unsure exactly how I set up this convenient icon system and Google searching so far hasn't helped to provide any assistance.

My aim is to restore an icon for the downstairs pc on each pc that works again.

My apologies if my description of my network icon setup is unclear but it is a simple system that is hard to describe in words.

Does anyone have a similar setup and can help me to restore the icons for the offending pc?

I still can't fathom how to fix my network icon issue with one of my machines, but I have turned to TeamViewer as an alternative. I use 'TV' to turn off the computers not in my office and so I have turned to it for file transfer as well. Works just as well as using Explorer. Just open the remote pc and drop the file(s) being transferred.

But I still want to work out why my 'icon method' has failed.

stony41 said:

I have a four-computer network that generally works well. On each pc's desktop there are four icons for the four pcs that each contain icons that allow easy file transfer between the pcs. Mostly I back up audio and video files on more than one pc.

This backing-up process has worked very well for several years, but recently one pc has misbehaved. It began yesterday by displaying an icon for a folder that belonged on another pc, and today the icon for the pc concerned refuses to open at all, on any pc. Another issue is that the pc not being displayed properly is downstairs, which is most inconvenient.

I am now unsure exactly how I set up this convenient icon system and Google searching so far hasn't helped to provide any assistance.

My aim is to restore an icon for the downstairs pc on each pc that works again.

My apologies if my description of my network icon setup is unclear but it is a simple system that is hard to describe in words.

Does anyone have a similar setup and can help me to restore the icons for the offending pc?

give fixed ip address to each system . so that I will not pickup new ip address everytime you boot.

naikodi said:

give fixed ip address to each system . so that it will not pickup new ip address everytime you boot.

Thanks for the suggestion, naikodi. I have never had to use fixed addresses in the past, but will keep this in mind.

As I have said, I can carry on sharing files with this computer using TeamViewer.

I have discussed the issue briefly with a friend who used to run government networks and he will be taking a look at this issue on site.