Hi, I've setup home networks with WinXP for a while now.
I've done successful installs of setting up file shares, sharing printers,
setting up hubs/switches and routers, firewalls, internet
connection, etc.

But  on some occassions when setting up XP and setting
up peer to peer networking, i can ping to the machine, but
cannot browse to it, even when all shares are setup, firewall
set to allow file/print sharing.

Either on the network neighborhood, it
is there, and when I click on it, it says it is not accessible.
Or it is not at the network neighborhood at all.
Many times, I end up reinstalling the OS.

On situations like this, how do I start troubleshooting?
Which diagnostics/tools do I need to use/run/understand?

Any help appreciated.
Thanks very much.

Tech guy in Austin