Networking Components Not Visible

A local peer-to-peer TCP/IP network including three W98SE
PCs is up and operating normally. Been like this for a
couple of years. Each of the network components was
originally configured in the usual way through Control
Panel, Network. No unusual issues.

This week, Control Panel, Network was opened on one of the
networked PCs, call it Alpha, for the first time in
months, to review settings for use with another PC. But
none of the network components are visible, only tab
available is Configuration, and the only logon is Windows
Logon. Keep in mind that there has been no change in the
way Alpha functions on the network. Each of the other two
PC's network configuration is viewable through its Control
Panel in the usual way. It's as if presentation of the
network configuration for Alpha has been switched off.

Does anyone know how to recover visibility of the network
components, identification of the PC, and access control
at Control Panel, Network for Alpha?

Thanks.