Fix cannot view other workgroup computers in the network

You are working on a Microsoft Windows XP- based computer for which the following conditions are true:

• The computer resides on a network.

• The computer is a member of a work group.

• Either no firewall is enabled or no firewall is installed on the computer.

• The computer can ping other computers in the same work group. Also, other computers in the same work group can ping this computer.

• NetBIOS over TCP/IP functionality is enabled.

In this scenario, you cannot view other work group computers on the network.

  Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322756 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.

2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\NetBt\Parameters

3. In the right pane of Registry Editor, delete the following values if they are present:

   • NodeType

   • DhcpNodeType

   Note If the NodeType value is present, this value will override the DhcpNodeType value. If neither subkey is present and if no WINS servers are configured for the client, the computer uses b-node mode. If at least one WINS server is configured, the computer uses h-node mode.

4. Quit Registry Editor.

5. Restart the computer.

6. Try to view workgroup computers on the network again.