i have an ethernet network set up with a D-Link DI-704P Router.  Four
computers are hooked up to the router via CAT5.  All of these
computers can access the DSL connection to get on the internet, and
all computers are running win98se.  However, one computer (computer
#4) can not access files on any other computers or print to the HP
DeskJet 920 on computer #1.  the other computers (computer #1, #2 and
#3) can get on the network, and can access files on #4, but not vice
versa.  I've tried fiddling with network settings but nothing works. 
I always get the "Unable to Browse the network.  The network is not
accessible." error.  How can I make it possible for #4 to be able to
access shared files and printers on other computers?

Microsoft has a Knowledge Base article that specifically addresses
this question.  It's advice seems to hold up, given that we should be
able to rule out hardware issues since the computer is able to access
the DSL link.  This looks like it has a very good chance of being the
solution.

"Unable to Browse the Network" When You Click Network Neighborhood
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q260214

"After you upgrade to Windows 98 or Windows 98 Second Edition from a
previous version of Windows, you may receive an "Unable to browse the
network" error message when you click Network Neighborhood."


Search Strategy:  Microsoft Knowledge Base for Windows98 Issues
Search Terms:     "unable to browse the network"

I hope that helps.  Microsoft has other documents related to this,
but, they did not specifically apply to your operating system.  If
this doesn't fix it, the other documents may at least provide clues to
things to try.  If you find any of the information in this answer
unclear, please do not hesitate to request a clarification.

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Request for Answer Clarification by wasabimilkshake-ga on 01 Sep 2002 14:20 PDT

i looked in the registry, but I the AutoLogon Key wasn't listed.  Any
other possible solutions?  thanks

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Clarification of Answer by snapanswer-ga on 01 Sep 2002 16:42 PDT

There are some other things to try, but these are less precisely
targeted at your operating system.

Before we go through them, can you list the contents of:
HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Network\

and

HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Network\Real
Mode Net

You don't need to type all the values, just a list of the Keys you
have in there might help.

Now we move on to some of the other guesses.

On the machine that doesn't work, look at your Network Control Panel:
 Start | Settings | Control Panel | Network

Compare the list of protocols that you see there to the list of
protocols that you see when you look at the Network Control Panel on a
machine that is working.
Anything not matching up?  Compare your access control settings on the
two computers.

Do you have antivirus software from Kaspersky installed?

Here are two more articles from Microsoft that may be of assistance:

Only Entire Network Icon Appears in Network Neighborhood
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q193938

"When you attempt to browse computers on your network using Network
Neighborhood, only the Entire Network icon may be displayed. When you
double-click Entire Network, you may receive the following error
message:
Unable to browse the network.
The network is not accessible. For more information, look in the Help
Index at the topic 'Network Troubleshooter'."

Please let me know the results from your exploration of these items. 
If that still does not get it, we can make a "grasping at straws"
attempt.  Let's hope that is not necessary.  Good luck.

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Request for Answer Clarification by wasabimilkshake-ga on 01 Sep 2002 18:15 PDT

HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Network\ :
(Default)
Installed

HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Network\Real Mode Net:
(Default)
[binary]LoadRMDrivers
netcard
preferredredir
transport

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Request for Answer Clarification by wasabimilkshake-ga on 01 Sep 2002 18:16 PDT

HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Network\
:
(Default)
Installed

HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Network\Real
Mode Net:
(Default)
[binary]LoadRMDrivers
netcard
preferredredir
transport

didn't try the method in the link - it said the network card might
conflict with graphics card, but this is an old computer without
hardware acceleration (or at least i'm pretty sure).

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Clarification of Answer by snapanswer-ga on 01 Sep 2002 18:23 PDT

Can you post the results on this:

On the machine that doesn't work, look at your Network Control Panel: 
 Start | Settings | Control Panel | Network 
 
Compare the list of protocols that you see there to the list of
protocols that you see when you look at the Network Control Panel on a
machine that is working.
Anything not matching up?  Compare your access control settings on the
two computers.
 
Do you have antivirus software from Kaspersky installed?

---

Request for Answer Clarification by wasabimilkshake-ga on 02 Sep 2002 06:57 PDT

The protocols and settings are the same on all comps, because I use
dynamic IP and didn't need to change much to set it up.

And no, I don't have any Kapersky software installed.

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Clarification of Answer by snapanswer-ga on 02 Sep 2002 12:21 PDT

Alright, we will continue to take this one step at a time.  Please,
try this for me.  On the troublesome computer, restart it in Safe
Mode.  It should prompt you for which type of Safe Mode you want.  You
want "Safe Mode with Network Support".  (Note:  I believe that Windows
98 has a "Shutdown Option" that allows you to restart in Safe Mode. 
If not, then to restart in Safe Mode, simply restart the computer...
as it is starting hold down the "F8" key until you are presented with
Safe Mode options.)

Once the computer has restarted in Safe Mode with Network Support,
check to see if you are able to browse the other shared computers on
your network.  Also, check to see that those computers can still see
your shared folders.

Please let me know the results.  Thanks.

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Clarification of Answer by snapanswer-ga on 30 Sep 2002 23:10 PDT

Did you find the results of the "rebooting in Safe Mode with
Networking Support" test that I suggested above?

I have a similar problem with my home network, so you're not alone. I
have three computers hooked up to a D-Link router. Computers #1 and #2
are running Windows 2000 Pro, while computer #3 is running Windows 95.
All three computers can successfully use my cable internet connection
via the router. File and printer sharing exhibits the same problems as
you describe. Comp #1 can print and access files from the other comps,
but comps #2 and #3 are "unable to browse the network". I fiddled
around with the settings for weeks but finally gave up.

There was one way, however, that I could print and access the files on
comp #1 from comp #2. I basically had to reboot both comps and do
absolutely nothing on comp #1 (i.e., if I browsed the internet or
anything on comp #1 then this tactic wouldn't work). Then I could
transfer files and print using comp #2. Unfortunately, that isn't a
very practical solution (I don't want to reboot all the computers
every time I want to transfer files). So I'm interested to find out if
you can get to the root of the problem. In the meantime, what I've
been doing for months is just move specific files to a shared folder
on comp #2, for example, and then go to comp #1 and access the folder
to print them. But that's bypassing the problem rather than finding a
solution.

heh.

yeah, i can't do the rebooting method, cuz my brother uses one of the
computers, and he'd kill me if i rebooted his...

I am at a loss!

Google (and guy who's getting paid to provide people with excellent
answers), don't fail me now!