pinging intranet address vs pinging computer name

[Neil B. Baker]

Realvnc is not able to connect to my laptop on my home network using the
computer name.
Laptop running winxp, wireless connection, 80211g, netgear router.

I can connect with vnc using the intranet address but not the computer name.
I can ping the laptop using the intranet address but not the computer name.

I have changed the computer name several times and that hasn't helped.

All other network related things seem to be ok.
Any Ideas?