This is a clean install of Vista on a Gateway notebook, using the OS CD supplied by Gateway.System is a Intel Core 2 Dou 1.83 CPU with 4GB of RAM.320GB harddrive, the C Drive is about 75GB after repartitioning it.The install of Vista went smoothly and I have updated everything via Windows Update.My problem is that I can not change the name of the network workgroup from "WORKGROUP" to "HOME".When I get in there to do it it lets me make the change, but when I click OK to save it I get the following error..."The following error occurred validating the name "STEVE-LAPTOP".A general network error occurred."I tried doing it in safe mode and it is greyed out there I can't even type in a new name.Thanks;

Hi Steve, This behavior occurs if certain network drivers, such as netbios.sys is not accessible or corrupt. I suggest that you disable or uninstall the anti-virus temporary, and disable firewall software. Then try to change the workgroup again. If the issue persists, one of the network driver files may be corrupt. In our database I found a similar case that occurred on a Gateway computer either. Please launch Event Log, check the System log and find which file the error is related to. After you find related information and confirm which file causes this issue, please find another Windows Vista SP1 system (not from Gateway), copy the same file and replace the file on the problematic computer manually. Please note that we need to take the ownership of the folder before you replace the file on the problematic computer. Take ownership ==================== 1.In the "Start" menu, locate "Command Prompt". Right-click and choose "Run as Administrator". If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. 2. Type the following commands, then press "Enter" to execute them one by one. Please note the space before the command and its parameter. takeown /f [full path of the file] cacls [full path of the file] /G administrators:F Hope it helps.

I tried everything you suggested and still got the same error when I tried to change gthe workgroup name,The error I found in the system log was...\SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\netbios.sys has been blocked from loading due to incompatibility with this system. Please contact your software vendor for a compatible version of the driver.So I replaced netbios.sys with a file from my wife's Dell hat has Vista Home Premium but it is not SP1 and it is 32bit instead of 64bit.I ran windows update and did not see an SP1 update for it.Thanks for the help;Steve

Hi Steve, By now I have only found that this issue occurs on Gateway Windows Vista SP1 systems. Your system may be already SP1, therefore SP1 is not an available update anymore. If it is possible, try to find a file from 64bit Windows Vista system. Now we cano confirm that the root cause is the incorrect file. Some customers encounter similar issues. http://broo2.blogspot.com/2008/06/laptop-replacment.html Important Note: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information. This forum may be referred. I am trying to find if we can obtain a single netbios.sys file. If the methods in the above forum do not help, feel free to let me know.

Alright I got a copy of the netbios.sys file from a Vista SP1 system (and it may have even been 64bit, but I'm not sure about that).I replaced the file in the \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\ folder and still get the same error..."The following error occurred validating the name "STEVE-LAPTOP".A general network error occurred."I checked the properties of the file in the folder now and it is version 6.0.6001.18000 which is the version that one of the posts in the link you sent me said it should be after SP1.Let me know of anything else you come up with.Thanks;Steve

Hi Steve, What is the version of your system? Is it 32bit or 64bit? If it is 32bit, copy the file from 32bit SP1 system is fine. Otherwise, if you can find a general installation (Windows Vista with SP1) DVD, you can resolve it with In-place Upgrade. In-Place upgrade =================== Note: Some programs may not work after the upgrading. Please understand it is normal and we can reinstall them to have them function. Run the Setup program after you start the computer by using the current Operating System. 1. Start the computer by using the current Operating System. 2. Insert the Windows Vista DVD in the computer's DVD drive. 3. When you reach the Which type of installation to you want screen, click Upgrade to upgrade the current operating system to Windows Vista. Hope it helps.

This is a 64 bit system. Running Vista Home Premuim SP1 64bit.Unfortunately, I do not know anyone with a 64 bit version of Vista Home Premium with SP1.If you are able to get a copy of the file, please let me know.Thank you;Steve Cohen

Hi Steve, I have searched from Internet these days, but not found any download. In this situation, I suggest that you contact Gateway to report this issue and ask if we could obtain have correct files from them. http://support.gateway.com/support/ask_gateway.asp Important Note: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

Thanks Arthur;I will try Gateway, but they haven't been much of a help on this issue.You had mentioned an in place upgrade, but I am not opposed to doing a clean install if that would solve the issue in anyway. All my personal data is on other partitions so all I would lose in the programs that would need to be re-installed.I actually tried, this a couple of times, but all with the same results.My wife has a Vista DVD, but I didn't want to use that for 2 reasons.1) I think it is only 32bit and 2) I'm concerned about the activation #'sHer's is from Dell and as you know mine is from Gateway, during the installation it never asked for a serial # or anything like that, so I'm concerned that my system will have the same activation # as her's, thereby causing problems with updates and anything.Any additional suggestion would be appreciated.Thanks;Steve

Hi Steve, The netbios.sys from 32bit system is not applied to 64bit Windows Vista system. We need a netbios.sys file from a Windows Vista 64bit SP1 system. If any of your friends can help us, we could easily copy files. By default there would not be any Activation issues. However, if the system needs to be Activated, we can use phone Activation if auto-Activation does not work.