Background

• Microsoft Windows allows you to connect multiple computers as a local area network (LAN) workgroup. This allows you to share resources, usually printers and files, between the PCs on the network.
  
  

Checks

• If you have an XP machine that is unable to view the other workgroup computers, first ensure that all of the computers are configured to use the same workgroup name. This is usually configured by default to be MSHOME or WORKGROUP. You can check and change the workgroup name in XP within the System area of the Windows Control Panel, under the Network Identification tab.
  
  If Microsoft or third-party firewall software is in use on the computers on the network, ensure it has been correctly configured to allow the workgroup computers to access each other. Check your firewall documentation for details.
  
  

Problem

• The problem Microsoft has identified that can cause your XP computer not to see others on the workgroup applies when a firewall is not installed and NetBIOS over TCP/IP is configured in your network settings. If this matches your configuration, Microsoft's free utility should resolve the problem (see second link in Resource section).
  
  

Fix

• Download and run the corrective program from Microsoft's website (see second link in Resource section). The utility automatically corrects the problem, which is caused by an incorrect configuration within the Windows registry. You must reboot your computer after applying the fix. Afterward you should be able to see the other PCs in your Windows workgroup.