Ok, so after many years w/out one, I finally got a virus. I can't remember any of the files associated w/ it or if the virus actually had a name, and was able to remove all of it. But, I'm using vista 32-bit, and it disabled everything in the security center, deleted all my restore points, and stopped a few services from running.
I've been able to get that all back to normal, but ever since my LAN browsing hasn't worked correctly. When I open the networked computers window, network discovery no longer lists any other computers on the LAN. If I try to connect to any computer on the network (file sharing, remote desktop, etc.) by using it's computer name (e.g. \\laptop), I get the error "Windows cannot access \\laptop, Check spelling, blah blah blah." I get the same message by trying to connect the vista system from other computers on the LAN. BUT, from the system which had the virus, I can connect to other computers using only their IP addresses (\\192.168...).
I've tried removing/reinstalling vista SP1, disabling/reenabling options in the network properties window (file/print sharing, etc), changing the "sharing & discovery" options in the network & sharing center panel, & and looking for related windows services not starting up. Everything I can think of appears to be the same before the virus. If I enter "net view \\laptop", I do get an error 53 that I don't get using the IP address. Haven't been able to find anything useful abt the error though. Booting the vista disc doesn't appear to give any useful options, & I really want to avoid reinstalling if possible.
I also connect to my laptop through a crossover cable for file sharing, and now that connection doesn't appear to work. Again, all settings appear the same as before. Any ideas? This is driving me crazy.
-curran
I've been able to get that all back to normal, but ever since my LAN browsing hasn't worked correctly. When I open the networked computers window, network discovery no longer lists any other computers on the LAN. If I try to connect to any computer on the network (file sharing, remote desktop, etc.) by using it's computer name (e.g. \\laptop), I get the error "Windows cannot access \\laptop, Check spelling, blah blah blah." I get the same message by trying to connect the vista system from other computers on the LAN. BUT, from the system which had the virus, I can connect to other computers using only their IP addresses (\\192.168...).
I've tried removing/reinstalling vista SP1, disabling/reenabling options in the network properties window (file/print sharing, etc), changing the "sharing & discovery" options in the network & sharing center panel, & and looking for related windows services not starting up. Everything I can think of appears to be the same before the virus. If I enter "net view \\laptop", I do get an error 53 that I don't get using the IP address. Haven't been able to find anything useful abt the error though. Booting the vista disc doesn't appear to give any useful options, & I really want to avoid reinstalling if possible.
I also connect to my laptop through a crossover cable for file sharing, and now that connection doesn't appear to work. Again, all settings appear the same as before. Any ideas? This is driving me crazy.
-curran
