XP Networking Problem with workgroup

[Anonymous]

Help. Trying to add a new XP SP2 laptop to the network. Has network
connectivity, and can browse the internet, but can't browse our workgroup
or access computers by name, but can by IP address. For a brief time this
computer had a duplicate name to an existing machine on the network, but
has since been changed.

I've done:

-Turned off firewall
-Release and renewed IP addresses
-Confirmed settings match every other machine on the network
- Client for MS Windows - Windows locator
- File and print sharing
- AEGIS Protocol
- TCP/IP Protocol with obtain IP and hardcoded DNS
-Ensured computer browser service is running
-Repaired the winsock 'netsh winsock reset'
-Repaired the PI stack 'netsh int ip reset c:\log.txt'

Trying to run a 'net view' or browse the workgroup gives a 'System Error
6118 - The list of servers for this workgroup is not available'

I don't know what else to try or how to get this to work as some of our
applications refer to resources by name.

ALSO, mapping a drive by IP address and running an application from it
causes a 'unverified publisher - do you want to trust the source and run'
type message - looks like an warning for running an internet application,
but it's on a local machine.

ANY help would be good as I don't have the time or energy to reformat this
machine and start from scratch.

Thanks

[daytripper]

I bet you were close: when I've had this problem, the most expedient cure was
to stop and start the Computer Browser service on the "broken" machine. It
results in the election of a system that actually has a clue, and the rogue is
brought back into the fold...

[heath....@gmail.com]

You may want to ensure that NetBIOS is enabled on the interface. In the
network card configuration have you clicked on TCP/IP selected
properties, selected advanced, selected WINS and ensure that NetBIOS is
enabled on the interface. This protocol is used to browse for network
resources. I.E. see the other computers in your work group. As far as
the unverified publisher errors is concerned. I believe that it is due
to Windows looking for a digital signature on the file. If these are
installer files that you have worked with in the past I would not worry
about this error. I would also try to run the apps once you are able to
browse the network. This may alleviate the problem as Windows may see
it as a LAN machine. But I am finding VERY little information about the
error.

When you connect by IP address are you doing it through windows
explorer or IE? If you are accessing it thru IE it may explain the
issue as SP2 tightens the security settings and zones in IE. Try
connecting from start->run \\ipaddy\share or once you have NetBIOS
running \\servername\share.

Also make sure that ICS is disabled on this computer if you can. ICS
will close the ports required to browse the network by names.

You may also need to install NetBEUI on the XP system here is the Link
for MS:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q301041/

Hope this helps.