Windows 7: Workgroup Computers come and go on Network

I could 'see' my shared XP machine and my MacBook from my Windows 7 computer over my wireless network last night be cannot see them now. I can 'see' the Windows 7 from the XP machine on Workgroup computers but I cannot 'see' any computers from my Windows 7 network now.

I have seen another post like this but the solution there was to buy another wireless router but I just bought a new Netgear 11n router and it is working fine for internet access.

This may be due to the changes in the network stack of windows 7 (and Vista), the changes require an update to XP to utilise the Link Layer Topology.

I believe this is included in later service packs and updates but it can be downloaded manually if needed.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

As for the MAC i'm not sure what updates are available there

Seems it would have something to do with this but nope, the XP has Service Pack 3 which has this. I can see the Win 7 computer from the XP but not vice versa.

And I was able to see it from the Windows 7 before.

So I rebooted the Win 7 machine and now I can see everything, including the MacBook.

Interestingly, for the first time, the Mac can see the XP and the Win 7 machine.

So, question is will this remain stable? We shall see.

I have also had this problem. I have made sure all machines (two xp desktops, one xp laptop, one 7 ultimate desktop and one 7 home premium laptop) all have the same workgroup. I have rebooted. I have (when I could see the respective computers on the network) mapped network drives. All machines can access any mapped drive. However, on the list of network computers, my Win 7 machines can see each other but not the xp machines, and vice versa. I suspect this has something to do with the domain/workgroup distinction thing, but don't know how to set this so that it does not happen again. Once again, I at one point could see ALL the computers on the list. Please help!!

Oh, and I can see one of my networked printers but not the other.