networking problem... can anyone help???

[alaskan49]

I am running three computers at home on a LAN with Windows XP. One Desktop, Laptop A and Laptop B. I am using a Linksys Etherfast DSL Router with a Nortel DSL modem.
All was well until last week when we left for vacation, and shut down all three computers. After we fired up all three computers, the Desktop and Laptop A was showing in the view as workgroup computers, but Laptop B was not. On Laptop B, only Laptop B was the only one showing in the view as workgroup computers.

I tried repeatedly to redo the network settings on Laptop B and restarting this computer, but Laptop B is not seen on the LAN by the other two computers.

The following items are missing on Laptop B under the Network Connection Details, which is present with the two other recognized computers:

Default Gateway
DHCP Server
DNS Servers

Hope can I get this Laptop to be recognized and be part of the network again? I am not a teckie, but I can do some things on my own, when instructed.

Thanks for your help!

[njovin]

Strange problem. First thing I would do is run a system restore back to before you went on vacation.

If that doesn't work, make sure they are all members of the same WORKGROUP. If they are, then find out what the IP address of Laptop B is (start->run->cmd->ipconfig) and see if you can PING (start->run->cmd-> ping xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx) the ip address of Laptop B from Laptop B and Desktop.

Let me know what the results of the pinging are.