I have several home computers which are networked through a wireless modem and router (Speedstream 6520). Somehow I managed to delete the administrator account from one of my important computers, but managed to transfer the files into another account using the advice from your website. However, I am now unable to connect this computer to the home network to access shared files and resources on the other computers. A diagnostic indicates that I do not have access to the workgroup and I need to contact the workgroup server administrator. The computer can still access the internet connection along with the other computers. Interestingly, I originally set up the network on the problem computer, using the now inaccessible administrator account. The computer is running Windows XP Professional (SP 2). The computer is connected to the network through an Ethernet cable.

As the computer can still access the internet, this indicates the network connection itself is working correctly. In particular, the computer is obtaining an IP address allowing communication over the network to access the internet. Therefore, we can assume that the network configuration on the computer is alright. In this case, our attention will turn to why you cannot access the workgroup and resources on other computers within the workgroup. Other users have experienced similar problems, so we will first go through some general steps for troubleshooting this error.

First, some of the services essential for workgroup communication to take place may have been disabled causing the computer to no longer talk with the other computers. In a workgroup configuration, each computer initiates communication with other computers which is called a peer-to-peer network. This is different to a client-server network, where a server centrally controls all communication. Since the other computers in the workgroup can communicate without problem, this indicates the workgroup itself is alright, and the problem is localised to this particular computer. Therefore, we need to ensure that the services which are required for communication with the workgroup are enabled and running on the computer. The first service to check is that NetBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled. NetBIOS is a service which simply facilitates communication over a network. Without this server, the computer will not be able to talk to other computers. To check whether NetBIOS is enabled, go to the “Start” menu > “Control Panel” and open the “Network Connections” control panel (you may need to first select the “Network and Internet Connections” category). Right-click on your Local Area Connection and select “Properties”. This will open the Network Connections properties window. In the list of services, select ?Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)? then click “Properties”. In the next window, click the “General” tab and the “Advanced” button. In the next window, click the “WINS” tab. Under the “NetBIOS Setting” heading ensure that ?Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP? is enabled. Click OK to close the open windows.

Before testing whether this resolves the problem, we need to also check that the Computer Browser service is started on the computer. If this service is disabled, it will prevent the computer from seeing other computers on the network, thus preventing communication with these other computers. Go to the “Start” menu and right-click on “My Computer” then select “Manage” from the context menu. The Computer Management window will appear. In the left-hand pane, expand “Services and Applications” and then select “Services”. In the right-hand pane, find the “Computer Browser” service. Right-click on the service and select “Properties”. Ensure that the “Service status” is “Started” and the “Startup type” is “Automatic”. If the service is not started, click the “Start” button.

Once you have completed the above procedure, check whether the problem continues. If so, it is possible that File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks may have become uninstalled. If this is the case, the computer simply cannot understand the network sharing arrangements and cannot see any of the shared resources. Think of the File and Print Sharing client as a translator. It allows the different computers on the network to speak a common language (i.e. the Microsoft File and Print Sharing language). Without this, the computer will not understand the protocols for sharing files and print, and will therefore not be able to communicate with any other computers. To check whether File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks is installed, go to the “Start” menu > “Control Panel” and open the “Network Connections” control panel. Right-click on your Local Area Connection and select “Properties”. In the window that appears, check in the list of services whether “File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks” is installed. If this is not present in the list, you will need to install this item. To complete this operation, click the “Install” button. In the next window, select “Service” and click “Add”. Then, in the list of Network Services select “File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks” and click OK. The service should now be installed.

Now that the service has been installed, you need to check that this will not be blocked by the Windows Firewall. Return to the Control Panel and open the “Windows Firewall” control panel. In the window that appears, click the “General” tab. Ensure that the option ?Don’t allow exceptions? is not ticked (as we need to allow File and Print Sharing as an exception to the firewall). Click the “Exceptions” tab. In the list of excepted applications and services, ensure that “File and Print Sharing” is ticked. Click OK to save and close. Once this procedure has been completed, check whether the problem persists.

Should the problem continue, you must next check whether your computer has a unique name on the network. If the name of the problem computer is the same as another computer on the same network and workgroup, this could be causing a conflict (as the network traffic doesn’t know to which computer it should be travelling). To check the computer name, go to the “Start” menu > “Control Panel” and open the “System” control panel (you may need to first click the “Performance and Maintenance” category). In the System window that appears, click the “Computer Name” tab. Ensure that the name of this computer is not the same as any other computer on the network or workgroup. Should you need to change the computer name, this can be done by clicking the “Change” button. Additionally, you need to also check that the workgroup name is the same on this computer as the rest of the computers, otherwise the computer will not communicate with any other computers since it is not on the same workgroup. Similar to the computer name, if you need to change the workgroup of the computer click the “Change” button.

Should you reach this point and find the computer will still not communicate with the workgroup, then please contact me again for further advice.