connecting xp pro to a domain or changing workgroup name

[hogyu]

If this is the wrong group for this question, I'd appreciate a pointer on
where to post it.

In System Properties, I'm allowed to change the computer name but nothing
else. The options to join a domain or to change the workgroup name are
grayed out. My current workgroup name is there, also grayed out.

I recently installed PCAnywhere, which warned me that because of "advanced
networking" functions, I could no longer use the welcome splash screen to
log on. Not sure if or what else it might have done. A day after installing
the program, I noticed the disabling changes in System Properties, but can't
say for certain that PCAnywhere was the cause.

I uninstalled PCAnywhere, with no effect on the problem. Ran a system
restore to several days before PCA was installed, with no effect. Changed
the computer name successfully and changed it back. I reset the system to
use the welcome screen and made sure fast user switching was disabled, then
changed it back to Ctrl-Alt-Del. Tried netsh, grasping at straws and
following the KB article, to reset the TCP/IP stack to its original
configuration, to no effect.

The System Properties dialog tells me that I have to "install networking"
before I can do anything to change domain membership. I have normal network
connectivity -- I can ping other computers on the LAN and on the Internet
and Internet connectivity is normal. Not sure what "networking" I have to
install..

When I take this laptop on the road, I'll need to change workgroups. Short
of a reinstall, I'm out of ideas. Appreciate any advice.

 

[hogyu]

Still casting about, I just noticed that in My Network Places/Entire
Network, I've lost the Microsoft Networks icon, under which (before) I could
see my workgroup name and shared resources. That probably is connected to
the problem, but I
don't know what to do about it...