sounds like master browser issue. this page may help, http://www.chicagotech.net/browser.htm

Don't send e-mail or reply to me except you need consulting services. Posting on MS newsgroup will benefit all readers and you may get more help.

Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
How to Setup Windows, Network, Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties.
I recommend Brinkster for web hosting!

 I have 8 clients and a server, acting as a peer-to-peer network.  SOMETIMES,
 on 2 xps, when I try to view the workgroup, it tells me something like "Can't
 view, maybe you don't have permission'.  there's only 1 workgroup, called
 MERGERARB.  Right now, I can view it, but couldn't before.  I do have the
 ability to get into the members of that workgroup, however.  It's only when I
 selected "View Workgroup" from My Network Places that I'd get the red error
 flag.  I suspect it has to do with a "Browse Master", which I don't
 understand.  Another user reported the same thing, but when she logged off
 the quasi-server, said she was able to view the workgroup again.  What's
 going on?

 thanks

Michael,

Are all the computers on your network running Windows XP (or NT / 2000)?

The Microsoft Browstat program will show us what browsers you have in your
domain / workgroup, at any time.  You can run it on any Windows NT / 2K / XP
system.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188305

You can download Browstat from either:
<http://www.dynawell.com/reskit/microsoft/win2000/browstat.zip>
<http://rescomp.stanford.edu/staff/manual/rcc/tools/browstat.zip>

Browstat is very small (40K), and needs no install.  Just unzip the downloaded
file, copy browstat.exe to any folder in the Path, and run it from a command
window, by "browstat status".  Make sure all computers list the same master
browser.
For more information about the browser subsystem (very intricate), see:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188001
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188305
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=231312
<http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winntas/deploy/prodspecs/ntbrowse.mspx>
<http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/win95/w95brows.mspx>