Mac Mini waking up - can't see shared XP folders

[chi2flat]

Generally I am pleased as punch with addind a Mac Mini to my setup (XP Home Compaq Tower with a KVM - and I share folders under XP then map under OSX).

When I walk away form the computer for an extended amount of time then wake both machines up from their power-save modes, then the MAC loses the link to the shared files. Typically I have to restart the machine for OSX to recognize my PC's folders.

I also have notcied that it will lose the network connection (via wireless) more often than not. I am assuming this is probably why I lose connection to the folders.

Also - this time when I came back, the silly US Flag was suddenly back in the top menu bar. I've have corrected this...but along with the other issues, it just seems that I must be overlooking something completely obvious in either my setup or settings.

I also downloaded a program (home and Away) as a possible solution but I have not installed it yet.

Any thoughts?

 

[chi2flat]

Update - folders appeared after 10 minutes of use

Here is the update, instead fo restarting, I just continued surfing or whatever on the MacMini. After about 10-15 minutes, when I went back into Finder - my PC network was now appearing and I could re-map.

Again - not the biggest issue, but an inconveience.

Thoughts....