Can't browse local network

  • Thread starter Thread starter jack
  • Start date Start date
J

jack

Win2k on a computer mostly dedicated to running one commercial
program, no surfing, no email. No hardware or software changes in
months, has run fine.

Quick View Plus 6 began coming up at boot time, looking at some file
in the system directory [don't remember which one]. Got rather
annoying, since it took a long time to do this, so I disabled Explorer
integration in QVP6. This stopped QV from coming up at boot time, BUT
at the same time, network access has been partially disabled.
Re-enabling Explorer integration did not fix the network problem.

This comp can no longer see other comps on the local net [192...]. It
complains that the network 'GROUPA' is not running or available. Other
comps in GROUPA can see files on this machine with no problems.
Options to set the workgroup are grayed out, again saying no networks
are available. BUT, the workgroup name GROUPA is shown in the grayed
out info. Seems to be a workgroup problem.

It can ping, say, google, etc OK, though, so the network card is
working, as is DNS from the router. It has a fixed IP address, which
is seen correctly from the router.

What is going on? How can I restore browsing of the local workgroup
net on this computer? It has a large number of data files, so I'd
prefer to fix it rather than start over from a new install.

Thanks,
Jack
 
This sounds like a virus or spyware/adware infestation. It doesn't matter
if the computer has been used for mail or internet, many of these worms can
spread over a LAN.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
 
This sounds like a virus or spyware/adware infestation. It doesn't matter
if the computer has been used for mail or internet, many of these worms can
spread over a LAN.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. This box is on a separate LAN on which no comp
accesses the net except to get data from a specific site - no surfing,
no email, etc on ANY box on this LAN. This LAN is behind a separate
router/firewall, and, in addition, each box runs a software firewall.
But, just to make sure, I ran AVG and Spybot [installed via a CD
written from a box on the LAN that CAN access the net, since net
access is NOT allowed on the first LAN]. No viruses or spyware were
found, as expected.

In addition to the net browsing difficulties, it seems as though
Explorer has other problems. It takes about 5-15 seconds to go forward
or 'back' to the previous directory - much longer than is 'normal'.
With a careful ear, one can hear many, many disk accesses being made
repeatedly. It would seem as though Explorer and the net were fouled
up when the QVP Explorer integration was disabled. [ It disabled
Explorer instead? :-)) ]

The timing of these events is perfect. The box went from being OK to
messed up in just a few minutes. The only significant thing that
happened in these few minutes was that QVP integration was disabled.
It would seem like a rather strange coincidence that a virus became
active in the restrictive LAN in just that few minute time period.

How can I check and/or repair the broken Win2000
workgroup/net/Explorer setup/components?

Thanks,
Jack
 
Back
Top