Cannot Browse Network by Using Entire Network in My Network Places (256235)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
This article was previously published under Q256235

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to browse your network by opening Entire Network in My Network Places, you may receive the following error message:
Unable to Browse Network

Windows is unable to gain access to the network. This may be for a number of reasons. For more information, click Help.

CAUSE

This error message occurs in Windows Millennium Edition (Me) if File and Printer Sharing is not installed and the computer is a member of a workgroup that does not have a browse master.

Note that this behavior does not affect other network functionality. You can still connect to network resources by using a Universal Naming Convention (UNC) resource name (\\computername\sharename).

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use either of the following methods.

Method 1

  1. Right-click My Network Places, and then click Properties.
  2. Click File and Printer Sharing.
  3. Click to select both check boxes.
  4. Click OK.
  5. When you are prompted to reboot the computer, do so.

Method 2

Change to a workgroup that contains a browse master (any computer with File and Printer Sharing installed):
  1. Right-click My Network Places, and then click Properties.
  2. Click the Identification tab.
  3. Change the workgroup name.
  4. Click OK.
  5. When you are prompted to reboot the computer, do so.
  6. Install File and Printer Sharing.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:9/28/2004
Keywords:kbenv kberrmsg kbnetwork kbprb KB256235
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.