How I got Vista to show computers in all workgroups and domains...
Hi all...Just figured out how to get Vista to properly show me all the computers in all the workgroups and the domain on my network. I'm running Vista Business x64 SP1 in my own little workgroup called Fortress. There is a domain here, as well as the inevitable MSHOME and Workgroup workgroups (usually people's laptops). I've gone from not being able to see any other computers, to being able to see the other workgroups but not the domain, to finally seeing all of them. Here are the steps I took, please note it's possible some are irrelevant but I figured I'd mention them all:1) Fix Computer Browser service. Computer Browser service may not start in Vista, despite being set to Automatic. I fixed this by setting RPC Locator service to automatic and rebooting. Computer Browser now starts happily. (*edit* ...or not. This doesn't always work, if it doesn't check out workaround here)2) Add Firewall Exceptions. In Windows Firewall settings, I went to the Exceptions tab. Seemed like a lot of Microsoft stuff was listed but not checked as an exception. I checked everything MS related (I'll go back through and trim it back down after, if I figure out specific exceptions that need to be allowed then I'll post here later).3) Access a Domain Share. At this point I could see the other workgroups but still nothing from the domain. To test connectivity/authentication with the domain, I popped open a Windows Explorer and typed in a share on the domain (\\someserver\someshare$). I happened to use a share I had the credentials saved for already, but normally (i.e. for you) the authentication window will come up asking for domain credentials. Enter a valid domain user/pass with access to the share.4) See All Computers! Apparently accessing the share authenticates you on the domain and allows you to see the domain computers/devices. Hop back to Windows Explorer and look in Network (refresh if necessary). Domain computers should now show up.Anyway this is what worked for me so I figured I'd share it here. Good luck and happy Vistaing.
April 14th, 2008 8:31pm

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