For windows XP there are several troubleshooting tools that can come in handy

as noted by Bradley Mitchell (2011);

Ping helps in verifying whether the TCP/IP is installed properly and correctly on a PC, that a PC has successfully joined the network, that the PC can access the internet, that a remote computer or website is correctly responding and also verify that a PC name resolution is working.

IPconfig helps in showing the configuration of the TCP/IP. It displays the IP address, the network/internet gateway address and the network (subnet) mask. It helps verify that the TCP/IP configuration has been correctly set up.

Hostname always helps in displaying computer name and is a tool use on a PC to check on the name when mapping network drives fails.

Traceart sends a test network message from a PC to a specified remote host then it tracks the path taken by the message. It displays the name of the IP address of each intermediate router that the message goes through. Traceart is very important especially when carrying out a diagnosis of connectivity problems within corporate network, school...

The arp maintains a list of computer names and their IP addresses.
The 'route' tool helps in viewing and manipulation of the computers route table. It can be used to diagnose cases where one computer cannot reach another computer within the LAN.

References

Chris Brake, (2011). How to Practice the 5 Steps of Computer Troubleshooting.

http://www.ehow.com/how_6052666_practice-5-steps-computer-troubleshooting.html

Computer Hope, (2011). Basic software troubleshooting.

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsoft.htm

Joseph D.S. (2001). Network Troubleshooting Tools.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/15490266/Network-Troubleshooting-Tools-by-OReilly-

Media

Shah Newaz, (2011). Computer Hardware Troubleshooting.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/computer-hardware-troubleshooting.html

Quin Street Inc., (2011). Definition: Troubleshoot.

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/T/troubleshoot.html