Unable to view workgroup

[Richard]

I have 4 XP machines on a small network. Three are
desktops and one is a lapatop.
All do not have firewalls enabled. When I try to view the
workgroup on the laptop I get,
"Domain name is not accessable. You might not have
permission to use this network resource. Contact the
administrator of this server to to find out if you have
access permissions. The list of servers for this
workgroup is not currently available."
The laptop cannot see itself.
The laptop can ping all other units and can ping itself.
The other desktops can see the laptop, but get the same
error when trying to view the shared docs.
What is my problem?

 

[Ramesh \(XP Power User\)]

1) Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP in all the computers in the workgroup.

To do so,
Windows XP and Windows 2000:

Open the Network Connections folder.
Right click the local area network connection and click Properties.
Double click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
Click Advanced.
Click WINS.
Click the Enable NetBIOS Over TCP/IP button.


On Windows 95/98/Me:

Click Start | Settings | Control Panel | Network.
Double click the TCP/IP->adapter entry for the local area network.
Click NetBIOS.
The I want to enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP box is normally checked and grayed
out. If it's un-checked, click the box to put in a check mark.


Also, make sure that the Computer Browser service is started. Click Start |
Run | Services.msc

--
_______________________________________
Ramesh Srinivasan
MSWindows OS- Poweruser
eMail: (e-mail address removed)
Aim: SRamesh2k
INDIA


I have 4 XP machines on a small network. Three are
desktops and one is a lapatop.
All do not have firewalls enabled. When I try to view the
workgroup on the laptop I get,
"Domain name is not accessable. You might not have
permission to use this network resource. Contact the
administrator of this server to to find out if you have
access permissions. The list of servers for this
workgroup is not currently available."
The laptop cannot see itself.
The laptop can ping all other units and can ping itself.
The other desktops can see the laptop, but get the same
error when trying to view the shared docs.
What is my problem?

 

[Richard]

Did as you said.. no change to the error as yet.. but I
do have another question... why does this have to be done
to all the other units that are running properly.

 

[Ramesh \(XP Power User\)]

What happens when using the \\<ip address> or \\<computername>\sharename
directly.
click start | run | \\<ip address> of the laptop.

If the same error is seen, try this:

1) Make sure that the firewall for LAN connection is disabled( you already
said so)
2) check if the workgroup name are same as in other computers in the
network.
3) Start the computer Browser Service on one of w2k/xp computers should fix
the problem (NOT ALL)

NetBIOS names identify computers on the network. NetBIOS broadcasts locate
computers and shared disks and folders on the network and allow them to
appear in My Network Places and Network Neighborhood. So, it has to be
enabled in all computers. As the laptop is invisible to network, netbios to
be enabled on laptop.

_______________________________________
Ramesh Srinivasan
MSWindows OS- Poweruser
eMail: (e-mail address removed)
Aim: SRamesh2k
INDIA


Did as you said.. no change to the error as yet.. but I
do have another question... why does this have to be done
to all the other units that are running properly.

 

[Richard]

Doing a little more testing, using a browser and the IP
addresses of other desktops, from the laptop, I can get
to all shared folders. I just do not understand why I
cannot do it from viewing the workgroups on the network

 

[Ramesh \(XP Power User\)]

you are able to access the shares via \\IP address but not thru network
places. please make sure that hte computer browser service is running in
only one computer

--
_______________________________________
Ramesh Srinivasan
MSWindows OS- Poweruser
eMail: (e-mail address removed)
Aim: SRamesh2k
INDIA


When I did
click start | run | \\<ip address> of the laptop.
a window opens showing the laptops shared docs folder,
scheduled tasks, and printers and fax.
The computer browser service is running.

 

[Richard]

Yes, correct.. I can get to the shares with IP\share.
I turned off the computer browser service on the laptop
and then tried.. no change.. I then turned off my office
PC which is the first PC on my network. Same results. I
then restarted the browser service on the laptop and
again no change.. ..
I am ready to dump the laptop.. only kidding...
I appreciate your support and willing to try any other
instructions you have.