Just for anyone whose interested me and chris had a convo about this yesterday - but I had to go give someone some PC lessons before we had chance to talk about it properly
Anyhow our conversation involved ARP and TCP/IP and I spent a LOT of time researching this problem last night, and I think I know what the problem is, I just havent had time or been able to resolve it properly yet.
Some of the things further things I have tried so far which havent worked.
~ I looked at the wireless problem - yes there is an open Netgear router very close, but it is on a different channel and it also uses a different IP range.
~ Tried Nbtstat -RR {sends name release packets to the WINS server and starts a refresh, thus re-registering all names with the name server }
Ive been doing a lot of reading on MS sites and how NT networking works.
I also had a convo last night with a networking bod who is strictly a non-Windows person at all but he also mentioned something called a PDC (primary domain controller) - yeah I had to ask too
Thanks Ross - who'd just got back from the pub and thought it was hilarious - you really had me going for about 5 seconds when you said I needed to re-install the OS - Funny!
Anyhow putting all the info I had together (and something that chris had mentioned) it was back to more research.
This problem can affect Networks which have a multi-homed PC (computer with more than 1 IP address) which would be the lappy since it has 2 IP addresses - One for the Network card and one for the Wireless adapter.
The fact that the network reverts back again after 10 mins or so (in actual fact according to MS it will be 12 mins) is even further confirmation that I have a problem with something called the
Microsoft Computer Browser Service.
Im still doing a bit more research - but the more I read the more Im 100% certain that this is my problem.
Ive downloaded the "Windows XP Service Pack 2 Support Tools for Advanced Users" and having run "browstat" this would seem to confirm it.
Ive so far managed to confirm that the laptop is the one with the problem and its setting itself up as the Master and Backup master on each interface.. therefore it thinks its a domain on its own.
Now that I know what the problem seems to be and what Im actually looking for this seems to be a lot more common that I first thought.
I think I know what I need to do - but brat was being a meany and wouldnt let me turn off her PC whilst I try resolve the problem.
Just need to find the time to sort it now - I'll let you know.