Lost networking - doesn't recognize Workgroup

[Don Culp]

I have a peer-to-peer network between a W2K and an XP computer. The network
suddenly quit working, apparently because of a problem with the W2K
computer. In Win Explorer of the W2K computer, when I click on "Computers
near me" or "My network places\Entire network\Microsoft Windows
network\Workgroup" I get the error window:

"Microsoft Windows Network
Workgroup is not accessible.
The network path was not found.
OK"

In both cases, not even the drives on the W2K computer are shown, although
these are correctly shown in the Win Explorer tree.

The "Control panel\Computer management\System tools\Device manager\Network
adapters" says that the network adapter is working correctly.

The only thing odd that I had noticed is that the W2K task manager had shown
that svchost.exe had been using about 80% of the CPU time. (This has
happened in the past and is usually cured by rebooting.) After some time of
this (I don't know exactly how long), I received an error message
"Svchost.exe has generated errors and will be closed by Windows." After a
full reboot svchost is now using 0% CPU. However, there are now two svchost
running. (I am not sure how many were running before but I think only one.)
Booting in "Safe mode with networking" gives the Svchost error message and
the desktop never appears. When booting in "Safe mode", there is no Svchost
error the desktop appears.

I have not yet tried "Boot to last known good configuration".

Thanks for any suggestions.
Don Culp

 

[Steven L Umbach]

Check that Client For Microsoft Networks is enabled, that the workstation
service is running [via services.msc] and that netbios, over tcp/ip is
enabled in tcp/ip properties/advanced/wins. Look in Event Viewer for any
errors that may indicate the problem and run ipconfig /all on it to check
that the tcp/ip configuration is comaptible with your other computer and
also run nbtstat -n to make sure it shows some names registered for netbios.

Having said that, your svchost problems are of concern and could indicate a
virus/parasite problem on your computer. I suggest that you do a full virus
scan using the latest definitions from your product's publisher. Do the same
with AdAware making sure you update it before scanning as virus and parasite
programs almost update their products everyday.

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ --- the free version works great.

If none of the above helps. I would consider doing an in place upgrade of
your operating system which should preserve all of your data and
applications but require that you first install your service pack and then
all critical updates. The in place upgrade fixes a LOT of problems and often
will save time in the long run versus trying to track down the exact issue
which many times is never figured out. It should not be a big deal unles you
have a dial up modem. I would not rule out a bad/flaky nic or drivers for
it. Also FYI the option for last known good configuration is only good
before a successful logon and typically is used if your computer hangs or
blue screens and you are not able to logon after a hardware/driver change.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q292175

 

[Steven L Umbach]

I forgot to mention to verifiy that file and print sharing is also enabled
and that the server service is started. -- Steve

Check that Client For Microsoft Networks is enabled, that the workstation
service is running [via services.msc] and that netbios, over tcp/ip is
enabled in tcp/ip properties/advanced/wins. Look in Event Viewer for any
errors that may indicate the problem and run ipconfig /all on it to check
that the tcp/ip configuration is comaptible with your other computer and
also run nbtstat -n to make sure it shows some names registered for netbios.

Having said that, your svchost problems are of concern and could indicate a
virus/parasite problem on your computer. I suggest that you do a full virus
scan using the latest definitions from your product's publisher. Do the same
with AdAware making sure you update it before scanning as virus and parasite
programs almost update their products everyday.

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ --- the free version works great.

If none of the above helps. I would consider doing an in place upgrade of
your operating system which should preserve all of your data and
applications but require that you first install your service pack and then
all critical updates. The in place upgrade fixes a LOT of problems and often
will save time in the long run versus trying to track down the exact issue
which many times is never figured out. It should not be a big deal unles you
have a dial up modem. I would not rule out a bad/flaky nic or drivers for
it. Also FYI the option for last known good configuration is only good
before a successful logon and typically is used if your computer hangs or
blue screens and you are not able to logon after a hardware/driver change.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q292175

I have a peer-to-peer network between a W2K and an XP computer. The network
suddenly quit working, apparently because of a problem with the W2K
computer. In Win Explorer of the W2K computer, when I click on "Computers
near me" or "My network places\Entire network\Microsoft Windows
network\Workgroup" I get the error window:

"Microsoft Windows Network
Workgroup is not accessible.
The network path was not found.
OK"

In both cases, not even the drives on the W2K computer are shown, although
these are correctly shown in the Win Explorer tree.

The "Control panel\Computer management\System tools\Device manager\Network
adapters" says that the network adapter is working correctly.

The only thing odd that I had noticed is that the W2K task manager had shown
that svchost.exe had been using about 80% of the CPU time. (This has
happened in the past and is usually cured by rebooting.) After some time of
this (I don't know exactly how long), I received an error message
"Svchost.exe has generated errors and will be closed by Windows." After a
full reboot svchost is now using 0% CPU. However, there are now two svchost
running. (I am not sure how many were running before but I think only one.)
Booting in "Safe mode with networking" gives the Svchost error message and
the desktop never appears. When booting in "Safe mode", there is no Svchost
error the desktop appears.

I have not yet tried "Boot to last known good configuration".

Thanks for any suggestions.
Don Culp

 

[Don Culp]

Steven --

My AV (NOD32) and Spybot show no problems.

When you say "in place upgrade", do you mean reinstalling the current
service pack or is this something else?

Thanks,
Don Culp

Check that Client For Microsoft Networks is enabled, that the workstation
service is running [via services.msc] and that netbios, over tcp/ip is
enabled in tcp/ip properties/advanced/wins. Look in Event Viewer for any
errors that may indicate the problem and run ipconfig /all on it to check
that the tcp/ip configuration is comaptible with your other computer and
also run nbtstat -n to make sure it shows some names registered for netbios.

Having said that, your svchost problems are of concern and could indicate a
virus/parasite problem on your computer. I suggest that you do a full virus
scan using the latest definitions from your product's publisher. Do the same
with AdAware making sure you update it before scanning as virus and parasite
programs almost update their products everyday.

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ --- the free version works great.

If none of the above helps. I would consider doing an in place upgrade of
your operating system which should preserve all of your data and
applications but require that you first install your service pack and then
all critical updates. The in place upgrade fixes a LOT of problems and often
will save time in the long run versus trying to track down the exact issue
which many times is never figured out. It should not be a big deal unles you
have a dial up modem. I would not rule out a bad/flaky nic or drivers for
it. Also FYI the option for last known good configuration is only good
before a successful logon and typically is used if your computer hangs or
blue screens and you are not able to logon after a hardware/driver change.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q292175

I have a peer-to-peer network between a W2K and an XP computer. The network
suddenly quit working, apparently because of a problem with the W2K
computer. In Win Explorer of the W2K computer, when I click on "Computers
near me" or "My network places\Entire network\Microsoft Windows
network\Workgroup" I get the error window:

"Microsoft Windows Network
Workgroup is not accessible.
The network path was not found.
OK"

In both cases, not even the drives on the W2K computer are shown, although
these are correctly shown in the Win Explorer tree.

The "Control panel\Computer management\System tools\Device manager\Network
adapters" says that the network adapter is working correctly.

The only thing odd that I had noticed is that the W2K task manager had shown
that svchost.exe had been using about 80% of the CPU time. (This has
happened in the past and is usually cured by rebooting.) After some time of
this (I don't know exactly how long), I received an error message
"Svchost.exe has generated errors and will be closed by Windows." After a
full reboot svchost is now using 0% CPU. However, there are now two svchost
running. (I am not sure how many were running before but I think only one.)
Booting in "Safe mode with networking" gives the Svchost error message and
the desktop never appears. When booting in "Safe mode", there is no Svchost
error the desktop appears.

I have not yet tried "Boot to last known good configuration".

Thanks for any suggestions.
Don Culp

 

[Steven L Umbach]

Hi Don.

That basically is reinstalling the operating system on top of itself while preserving
applications and data. When I do it, I pop the install disk in while Windows is
running and select "upgrade" when it asks for install type. You also might try to go
into Device Manager and uninstall your network adapter and reboot where it should
reinstall itself. --- Steve

Steven --

My AV (NOD32) and Spybot show no problems.

When you say "in place upgrade", do you mean reinstalling the current
service pack or is this something else?

Thanks,
Don Culp

Check that Client For Microsoft Networks is enabled, that the workstation
service is running [via services.msc] and that netbios, over tcp/ip is
enabled in tcp/ip properties/advanced/wins. Look in Event Viewer for any
errors that may indicate the problem and run ipconfig /all on it to check
that the tcp/ip configuration is comaptible with your other computer and
also run nbtstat -n to make sure it shows some names registered for netbios.

Having said that, your svchost problems are of concern and could indicate a
virus/parasite problem on your computer. I suggest that you do a full virus
scan using the latest definitions from your product's publisher. Do the same
with AdAware making sure you update it before scanning as virus and parasite
programs almost update their products everyday.

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ --- the free version works great.

If none of the above helps. I would consider doing an in place upgrade of
your operating system which should preserve all of your data and
applications but require that you first install your service pack and then
all critical updates. The in place upgrade fixes a LOT of problems and often
will save time in the long run versus trying to track down the exact issue
which many times is never figured out. It should not be a big deal unles you
have a dial up modem. I would not rule out a bad/flaky nic or drivers for
it. Also FYI the option for last known good configuration is only good
before a successful logon and typically is used if your computer hangs or
blue screens and you are not able to logon after a hardware/driver change.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q292175

I have a peer-to-peer network between a W2K and an XP computer. The network
suddenly quit working, apparently because of a problem with the W2K
computer. In Win Explorer of the W2K computer, when I click on "Computers
near me" or "My network places\Entire network\Microsoft Windows
network\Workgroup" I get the error window:

"Microsoft Windows Network
Workgroup is not accessible.
The network path was not found.
OK"

In both cases, not even the drives on the W2K computer are shown, although
these are correctly shown in the Win Explorer tree.

The "Control panel\Computer management\System tools\Device manager\Network
adapters" says that the network adapter is working correctly.

The only thing odd that I had noticed is that the W2K task manager had shown
that svchost.exe had been using about 80% of the CPU time. (This has
happened in the past and is usually cured by rebooting.) After some time of
this (I don't know exactly how long), I received an error message
"Svchost.exe has generated errors and will be closed by Windows." After a
full reboot svchost is now using 0% CPU. However, there are now two svchost
running. (I am not sure how many were running before but I think only one.)
Booting in "Safe mode with networking" gives the Svchost error message and
the desktop never appears. When booting in "Safe mode", there is no Svchost
error the desktop appears.

I have not yet tried "Boot to last known good configuration".

Thanks for any suggestions.
Don Culp