Cannot Access 'Computers Near Me' in Workgroup; Error Message Reports Unavailable Server List

Article ID: 285035 - View products that this article applies to.
This article was previously published under Q285035
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SYMPTOMS

When several Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional-based computers are configured as members of a workgroup in a peer-to-peer network environment and you click on Computers Near Me in My Network Places, the following error message may appear:

Unable to access Computers Near Me. Workgroup is not accessible. The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available.

When you click Entire Network and Microsoft Network, the workgroup name appears, but when you click the workgroup name, you receive the same error message.
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CAUSE

This behavior can occur when no computer in the workgroup is designated as the master browser, or when NetBIOS over TCP/IP is not being used.
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RESOLUTION

Make sure all computers in the workgroup are configured to use NetBIOS over TCP/IP. Follow these steps:

  1. On the desktop, right-click My Network Places, and then click Properties.
  2. Right-click the appropriate connection, and then click Properties.
  3. Click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties.
  4. Click Advanced, and then click WINS.
  5. If you are using a static Internet Protocol (IP) address, click Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP. If you have a DHCP-assigned IP address, click Use NetBIOS setting from the DHCP server.
  6. Click OK in the open dialog boxes to close them and to save the new settings.

If this procedure does not resolve the difficulty, force a browser election by restarting all computers in the workgroup.
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Properties

Article ID: 285035 - Last Review: October 30, 2006 - Revision: 3.1
APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
Keywords: 
kbprb KB285035
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