networking shortcuts OK for file sharing but workgroup not

[AB]

I'm hoping there is an easy way to fix this. It suddenly happened after
years of file sharing.

If I try to file-share in Explorer using shortcuts to the networked computer
(like \\Asb\disks ) I can see the other computer and copy or transfer files.
But if I try to navigate to c:\my network places\entire network\microsoft
windows network\(workgroup name), I get an error "(workgroup) is not
accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource.
contact the administrator ...."

In addition, if I go into control panel on the computers and change my
workgroup name to MSHOME, for example, I am able to use c:\my network
places\entire network\microsoft windows network\MSHOME with no problems.

If I then reverse my workgroup name back to the original one, it fails
again.

It seems that my original workgroup name is locked in some way. Yet I can
keep that workgroup name and use my shortcuts.

What should I try to correct his, besides changing all my computers to the
new workgroup name?

Computers vary - desktops and laptops, Pentium, Windows XP home SP3 and one
is XP Pro
linksys router on a cable modem
IE7
(what other info is relevant?)

 

[AB]

PS - My firewall is zonealarm and I have turned off windows firewall. If I
turn off zonealarm, the problem persists. My anti-virus is AVG free 8.x

 

[Malke]

PS - My firewall is zonealarm and I have turned off windows firewall. If I
turn off zonealarm, the problem persists. My anti-virus is AVG free 8.x

You've got two of the most problematic programs installed: AVG 8 and Zone
Alarm. If I were you, I'd uninstall Zone Alarm and just use the built-in
Windows Firewall. If things work with ZA gone, there you go. Make sure to
uninstall ZA with their special method:

1. Go into ZA Overview/Preferences and uncheck "Load Zone Alarm on Startup".
2. Reboot computer to remove Zone Alarm drivers from memory.
3. Temporarily shut down any other AV/security programs.
4. Click on Start >Programs > Zone Labs. RIGHT-click on Uninstall Zone Labs
Security, then select Properties. Under Target you will see the following
line (the actual drive may be different on your system):

"C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zauninstexe" - Change it to:
"C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zauninst.exe" /clean /rmlicense (add a
space and then the /clean). Click OK to save.
Say "Yes" when being prompted for the removal of all files and allow
TrueVector to shut down. Reboot.

Now start in Safe Mode and delete these files in the Windows Directory:

WINDOWS\ Internet Logs
Program Files\Zone Labs
WINDOWS\system32\ Zonelabs

Now reboot into Regular Mode.

ZoneAlarm forum: http://forums.zonelabs.org/zonelabs/

I'd also replace AVG 8 with Avast if you want a free antivirus, NOD32 if you
don't mind paying.

Malke

 

[AB]

You've got two of the most problematic programs installed: AVG 8 and Zone
Alarm. If I were you, I'd uninstall Zone Alarm and just use the built-in
Windows Firewall. If things work with ZA gone, there you go. Make sure to
uninstall ZA with their special method:

1. Go into ZA Overview/Preferences and uncheck "Load Zone Alarm on
Startup".
2. Reboot computer to remove Zone Alarm drivers from memory.
3. Temporarily shut down any other AV/security programs.
4. Click on Start >Programs > Zone Labs. RIGHT-click on Uninstall Zone
Labs
Security, then select Properties. Under Target you will see the following
line (the actual drive may be different on your system):

"C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zauninstexe" - Change it to:
"C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zauninst.exe" /clean /rmlicense (add
a
space and then the /clean). Click OK to save.
Say "Yes" when being prompted for the removal of all files and allow
TrueVector to shut down. Reboot.

Now start in Safe Mode and delete these files in the Windows Directory:

WINDOWS\ Internet Logs
Program Files\Zone Labs
WINDOWS\system32\ Zonelabs

Now reboot into Regular Mode.

ZoneAlarm forum: http://forums.zonelabs.org/zonelabs/

I'd also replace AVG 8 with Avast if you want a free antivirus, NOD32 if
you
don't mind paying.

Malke

I am changing anti-virus to Avast just to try it out. I'm not sure I want to
fool with ZA yet. I've used it forever.

This doesn't explain why I can see the network workgroup if I rename it but
not if I leave it the old name and why I can use shortcuts to the shared
remote files but not the workgroup name. Oh well, I'll see what comes out of
this.

 

[PaulJayD]

Windows XP Workgroup Corrupt

If your XP Workgroup is longer than 8 characters, you may have a problem.
I just finished 3 days of fooling around with 3 wi-fi network (2 xp, 1 vista) where 1 xp (no firewal) could see/print to vista, but the other xp (zonealarm and zonealarm-not-started) could not.
I ran the 'netsh' diagnostic and discovered that although the workgroup field looked good, it was being sent as null. It displayed as 10 chars on xp, but could not see any vista shares!
I reset all Worgroup ids to less than 8 chars, and everything was OK.