Can't start "computer browser"

[levinjb]

I have a local net with a desktop and a laptop. They talk to each
other just fine, desktop sees laptop's shared folders just fine, but
laptop can't see desktop's, or even a network. Both run XP pro with
all current required updates and most optional (except IE 7).

I believe I've tracked this down to the Computer Browser service,
which dies immediately with a "dependencies" error, 1068. Before you
tell me about server and workstation, let me tell you what I've
already tried without success:

workstation and server services are running correctly as "automatic"
and "started"

All the pieces in the local net properties screen seem to be OK.
Under TCP/IP properties, "Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP" is checked.

A suggestion that a registry entry might be wrong (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Browser\Parameters, entry
Servicedll) was checked, and it's OK

I ran 'sfc /scannow' and no problems were identified (at least the
thing ran and then exited silently, so I presume nothing was found).

I've also been mucking around with the firewalls to no avail.

There is one other factor: I have (for historical reasons) a McAfee
Security Suite installed on the laptop. I plan to uninstall it and
replace the pieces with other more transparent software when it
expires; but if it turns out somehow to be interfering with the
network service I'll do it now.

Any further things to try? Please advise.

Thx

/JBL

 

[jbl]

Never mind. See below.

I have a local net with a desktop and a laptop. They talk to each
other just fine, desktop sees laptop's shared folders just fine, but
laptop can't see desktop's, or even a network. Both run XP pro with
all current required updates and most optional (except IE 7).

I believe I've tracked this down to the Computer Browser service,
which dies immediately with a "dependencies" error, 1068. Before you
tell me about server and workstation, let me tell you what I've
already tried without success:
[ big snip ]

There is one other factor: I have (for historical reasons) a McAfee
Security Suite installed on the laptop. I plan to uninstall it and
replace the pieces with other more transparent software when it
expires; but if it turns out somehow to be interfering with the
network service I'll do it now.

Not seeing any answers, I bit the bullet and uninstalled all of McAfee
from the laptop. (I was surprised it went so willingly, without
complaint, and _as far as I know_ without leaving a lot of detritus
scattered around my system.) With the machine offline, I then
installed Avira AntiVir, turned on the Windows firewall, came on-line
and made sure my Ad-Aware, Spybot S&D and a couple other things were
up-to-date.

I had to turn workstation and print spool servers back on (problems
caused by running uninstall software from an old printer installation
that I must have already uninstalled), everything worked, I can see
the network and the printer on the desktop. So I no longer have a
problem, and I ascribe the problem I did have to McAfee (why not).

Regards / JBL