The ping utility and the “net use” utility use different methods for name resolution.Ping uses the DNS for name resolution. Do you have a DNS server configured within the boot menu? If you disable DNS, then the ping utility cannot resolve the name as it won’t use the lmhosts file.”net use” uses the lmhosts file for name resolution. If it is not in the lmhosts file, then it should broadcast out and look for the machine. If the machine is on the same subnet, then it should find it and be able to connect. I only need to use the lmhosts file for machines that are on a different subnet than the client PC.
So, PING Name Resolution => DNS
NET USE Name Resolution => lmhosts, then broadcast.
Ping will not resolve via broadcast.
via Universal TCP/IP Network Bootdisk :: View topic – Help, lmhosts / NET USE issue.