Resolved Windows 2000 Workgroup Networking Issue

I have a home network I am setting up - just 2 computers now - an old one with Windows 2000 and a new one with Vista. The problem has occurred on the Windows 2000 machine. The network is set up as a Workgroup since thee is no DNS. I did the setup properly several times. When I click on the "Computers Near Me" icon, I should at least get the name of the local computer - instead, after a long pause I get, "Workgroup is Inaccessible." The usual steps of enabling and disabling, rebooting, etc are of no help. What is the likely cause and how do I fix it?

 

Thanks, Tony - have done that and double checked it. No change. More info: I can search and find the local computer using "Search" and then can show the printers folder but it doesn't show the shared drives. "Registry Mechanic" says the registry is OK. The Workgroup network had been working with another older computer attached, but that was several month and several "automatic updates" ago. Still looking for ideas.

 

Problem is solved locally by uninstalling and reinstalling "Client for Microsoft Networks" and "File and Print Sharing ". Now I can actually see the local computer, but only the printers file, not the shared drives. Neither computer can find the other. Both work great on intenet.