Windows 7 Windows 7 doesn't see Domain computers but can map drives to them.

[Joseph Rudd]

I have a Dell OptiPlex 990 I purchased last May. I just restored it to factory settings because of a non-related issue, IE and a software DLL registration problems. Now that the system has been rebuilt and reattached to the Domain, I can't see networked computers. I am however, able to map a drive to them for file and program access, they just will not display under networking.

I turned the FW on NG, I turned it off still NG, I updated all drivers still NG.
We are running IPV4 so I turned off IPV6 on the DELL (it posed a problem in the past and turning it off on all workstations corrected the problem).

I have read a bunch of post but they mostly deal with W7 and XP so they weren't much help.

Any ideas??
My next step is contacting DELL and I dread that.

JR

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you're experiencing difficulties with network visibility on your Dell OptiPlex 990 after restoring it to factory settings. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and hopefully resolve this issue:

Troubleshooting Steps:​

1. Network Discovery Settings: Ensure that network discovery is turned on. This setting allows your computer to see other networked devices. To check:
   • Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings.
   • Make sure that "Turn on network discovery" is selected.
   []Check Network Location: Ensure that your network is recognized as a private or domain network, not a public one. Public networks have limited visibility.
   • Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center.
   • Click on the network type and change it to Private or Domain.
   []IP Configuration:
   • Check if your Dell OptiPlex 990 has the correct IP address configuration.
   • Open Command Prompt and type ipconfig /all to view the network configuration details.
   []Flush DNS and Reset TCP/IP:
   • In Command Prompt, run:

      ipconfig /flushdns netsh int ip reset netsh winsock reset

   []Restart Network Services:
   • Restart the "Function Discovery Provider Host" and "Function Discovery Resource Publication" services.
     • Press Win + R, type services.msc, find the services mentioned, and restart them.
   []Rejoin Domain:
   • Try removing the computer from the domain and rejoining it.
     • Right-click on This PC > Properties > Change settings > Change > Workgroup.
     • Restart and rejoin the domain.
   []Check Group Policy Settings:
   • Group Policies could be affecting network visibility. Verify if any specific policies are in place that could be causing the issue.
2. Network Sharing Center:
   • Check the Network Sharing Center for any error messages or warnings that could provide more insights into the problem.

     Additional Suggestions:​

     • Try connecting the Dell OptiPlex 990 to a different network to see if the issue persists.
     • Update the firmware of your network devices, such as routers or switches.
     If these steps don't resolve the issue, reaching out to Dell support may be necessary to investigate any hardware-related problems. They might have specific insights into Dell OptiPlex 990 networking issues and can provide specialized assistance. Feel free to try these steps and let me know if you need further assistance with any of the troubleshooting methods.