I have a Desktop and Laptop computers, both run Vista Home Premium 32 and Norton Internet Security 2010. All with latest patches and updates. I also run a Windows Home Server. This configuration has remained pretty much the same for years. Recently there have been times when I cannot access shared files on the HomeServer from the Desktop by name (\\HOMESERVER), but can using IP address (192.168.1.105). At the same time everything works fine from the Laptop. I've checked network config to deep levels. Both are Hybrid nodes using the Default NetBIOS settings and at the time of the problem, but report using NetBIOS over TCP/IP (ipconfig /all). The one difference bewteen the laptop and desktop is that I run StarCraft2 on the desktop. I also seem to run into this problem afterplaying SC2 (but not all the time). Sometimes I can fix this problem by shuting down everthing Desktop, Laptop, HomeServer, Router and switch. Sometimes this doesn't work (like today). The laptop works OK using its wireless connection or the wired connection thru the same network switch as the desktop.

Sorry to say neither fixed worked yesterday when the problem once again surfaced. The exact message displayed was Windows cannot access \\homeserver when I enter \\homeserver in the Start Search box. Clicking the Diagnose button yielded a message to check spelling, etc. This seems to be some sort on name resolution problem as I can always get to the shares by using the actual IP address. Repeated reboots did not fix things. Shutting down everything, then bringing up the router, switch, Desktop, then Homesever (in that order) resolves the problem. I will try other combinations and orders when the proble resurfaces.