I've got a simple network at home:

An Access point router: 192.168.2.1
Three PC's
Client Host Name IP Address
Desktop W7, UTP: c2d 192.168.2.101
Laptop XP, UTP: BENQ 192.168.2.102
Laptop XP, WiFi:Dell 192.168.2.110

On C2D, all three are 'visible' i.e. they show up under (Explorer)Network
BENQ can be reached and shows a number of shared folders
with DOS I can connect the drives:
net use v: \\benq\benq-C$ *** /user:cb /persistent:no - connects the c-drive
net use w: \\benq\benq-D$ *** /user:cb /persistent:no - connects the d-drive

Dell used to be similarly reachable and its c-drive connectable,
use y: \\Dell\dell-C$ ** /user:cb /persistent:no

I must have done something with either Dell or C2D, but now I cannot open Dell via (Explorer)Network, neither link up with the c-drive with DOS (system error 53 has occurred. The network path was not found)

use y: \\192.168.2.110\dell-C$ ** /user:cb /persistent:no WORKS, (even without ** and /user)!
However under (Explorer) Network, still no drill-down (to shared folders) possible.

===================
'Net view' yields:
Server Name Remark

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\\BENQ CB's Notebook
\\C2D
\\DELL Dell-CB
The command completed successfully.
====================

I'v Googled:
(http://www.chicagotech.net/systemerrors.htm#System%20error%2053%20-%20The%20network%20path%20was%20not%20found.)

System error 53 - The network path was not found.

Symptom: when using net view \\ip or \\computername, you get system error 53.

Resolutions: 1) if it is domain environment, check your WINS; 2) if it is peer-to-peer workgroup, enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP; 3) make sure the machine is running; 4) make sure file and Printer Share enabled on remote computer; 5) make sure client for ms networks is enabled on local computer; 6) make sure you type the correct name. 7) Make sure no firewall running or any security setting. 8) If your computer is loaded NetWare IPX or NWLink, you may receive system error 53. You may want to disable the NWlink or move it lower than TCP/IP in in network binding order.


There does not appear to be some sort of problem with the name, I've used ABC instead of Dell, to no avail.
As BENQ basically faces the same issues as C2D with connection to Dell, I suppose it is something in the setting of Dell, but what?

Thanks for suggestions where to look (and how)

Christiaan

Have you tried to use shared drives/folders to accomplish this task?

Please check and see if you have firewalls turned on. This will cause network pc's to see each other on a home network.

I switched off the firewall of Dell and indeed, now this laptop can be connected using its name.
Thanks!