Network Location Stuck In Public Mode

[Xeno Morph]

1. Is this a wired or wireless connection issue? A: Both.
2.Internet Service Provider? A: Verizon.
3.What type of Broadband connection are you using? A: DSL.
4. Make and Model of your Modem and Router? A: Modem - Westell 6100G, Router - Linksys E2500.
5. Internet Security/Antivirus? A: ESET Smart Security 4

There are 3 images below of ip configuration for 2 pc's (wired) and 1 laptop (wireless)


I have a desktop pc running Win 7 64bit and I can no longer share files within my "Home Network". Opened "Network and Sharing Center" to check the settings (refer to images) and, under "View Active Networks", it shows my router (Linksys 01) with network location as "Home Network" and I am joined. When I click on "Home Network" to open "Set Network Location" window, It shows that it is in "Public" mode, so I click on "Home Network" and close out the window. Back in "Network and Sharing Center", again it shows "Home Network". Again I click on "Home Network" to check and there it is, in "Public" mode again. In Windows Explorer, (see images) when I click on the Homegroup icon, it just shows "No other homegroup computers are currently available", I'm assuming because it's in "Public" mode. I have no problems accessing the internet though. Downloaded and ran "MSFixit Home Network - 50725", suggested in another thread. No luck with that.
I rebooted pc, reset modem, router and checked my firewall settings which are set in sharing mode. Made sure windows firewall was disabled since I'm using firewall in ESET Smart Security. Recheck "Network and Sharing Center" with same results, stuck in "Public" mode. Now I'm checking my 2 other computers on the network, 1 pc (wired) and 1 laptop (wireless) with the same identical issues existing, both are also stuck in "Public" mode. There are 2 more desktop pc's that I don't presently have access to at the moment. I'm not sure what else to do. It's like all 3 of my computers were set/reset in to "Public" mode and locked. I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to networking. Could the issue originate from modem or router? If anyone has some insight regarding this issue, I would be very grateful for sharing your ideas or solutions. Thanks in advance.

Baron

 

[Layback Bear]

I by no means I'm I a network expert. I do have a thought until a expert comes along.

ESET Smart Security might have public network locked. Their might be a setting in that program you can change.

 

[Xeno Morph]

@Layback Bear, Thanks for your input. I was looking into that yesterday and found nothing obvious. I'm presently reading up on ESET's firewall settings.

EDIT: The image below shows protection mode ESET's firewall is in.

 

[Xeno Morph]

UPDATE:
In my original post there were 2 other pc's that I didn't have access to a that time. I got access to them and they too are stuck in "Public" mode. All the computers on the network are stuck in "Public" mode and can't be reset to "Home Network". I am completely baffled by this. Is there a networking guru out there? It has been 4 days and no help yet.

 

[Layback Bear]

I will see if I can find someone for you.

Sorry it took so long.

I went back to the ranch and requested help.
Hang in there. They are all over the globe in different time zones.

 

[carwiz]

Have you tried this?

Windows 7 Network connections are stuck in Public mode

Update - Ops, I should have read all the way through. How about the manual method?

 

[Xeno Morph]

Thanks Bear. Been busy all day today and this is the first chance I had to even sit at the pc, 8:30pm US west coast. I think I'm going to let it go until tomorrow. That way I'll have a clear head to start fresh in the morning. First thing, I think I'll call Verizon and have them walk me through the proper router settings to make sure everything is kosher. Once again, I appreciate your help.

Baron

 

[Xeno Morph]

@carwiz, Yea, that was one of my first attempts at solving this issue. Thanks anyway.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Xeno no expert mate but have a look at this and try the manual method
Fix Windows 7 Network Connection Stuck In Public Mode - gHacks Tech News

 

[Xeno Morph]

@ICit2lol,
Thanks for your input mate, but I tried that, (Downloaded and ran "MSFixit Home Network - 50725) and the manual fix, before I posted on this forum. Failed to resolve issue. Refer to my original post.
It seems as though nobody wants to touch this one. It's been 7 days now. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. Thanks again for your suggestion.

Baron

 

[Layback Bear]

There has been 332 people read your post. The right member just hasn't seen it yet to offer help.
Your post isn't being forgotten. Just seems that no one so far knows the answer.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Well mate never say die it has a reason and it just depends on hitting on what the problem is or where it lies.
Have a quick look at this at the moment I am on a 8.1 machine so am not going to see what you are.
Automated Fix for Windows 7 Network Connections Stuck in Public Mode

 

[Layback Bear]

Great find ICit2lol. It just might do the trick.

 

[UKMedia]

Hi

Long shot but I'm sure that I've experienced this issue myself in the past. I'm sure that I deleted the network adapter in device manager and uninstalled the driver, then re-installed it.

Not sure why it happened but this worked for me...

Regards
UKMedia

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hi

Long shot but I'm sure that I've experienced this issue myself in the past. I'm sure that I deleted the network adapter in device manager and uninstalled the driver, then re-installed it.

Not sure why it happened but this worked for me...

Regards
UKMedia

Good idea and I think the more we crack on with this the more likely we are going to find something.
Sometimes it is a bit like not seeing the wood for the trees

 

[Xeno Morph]

I would like to apologize to everyone for my disappearing. I was so frustrated:banghead: and discouraged that I needed to take a time-out and focus on some other issues that needed attention. Didn't realize 2 weeks had gone by.

I followed up on the other link that ICit2lol provided Automated Fix for Windows 7 Network Connections Stuck in Public Mode
Unfortunately that link ultimately led me to the same MS site where I got the the "Fixit" utility that I spoke of in my original post. Sadly, it didn't resolve the issue. I very much appreciate the effort though.

I will try UKMedia's suggestion next. I will post back results this evening.

Once again, I appreciate all of your time and effort.


Baron
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Auto...Connections-Stuck-in-Public-Mode-214873.shtml

 

[ICIT2LOL]

No need to apologise mate no one can be everywhere at once - well my ex never understood that principle LOL!!

UK's suggestion sounds quite logical and as I posted earlier it is just a matter of working through different fixes. Me I have problems with the Fixit feature to be honest it has not worked more than it has for me in the past.

Keep us up to speed mate.

 

[Xeno Morph]

@ICit2lol,

Me I have problems with the Fixit feature to be honest it has not worked more than it has for me in the past.

Not the first time I've used the MS "Fixit" utilities and, I can't say that they have ever resolved any issues/problems for me.

@UKMedia,
1. I understand uninstalling the network drivers and reinstalling them. Just wanted to clarify something. When you say "delete the adapter", do you mean uninstall or go in to registry and delete entry?

Baron

 

[UKMedia]

Hi

Delete the Network Adaptor in device manger and select remove driver, download the latest driver first

Regards
UKMedia

 

[Xeno Morph]

@UKMedia,
D/L drivers, but I'm having trouble finding an option to delete the adapter in device manager (wouldn't be the first time I missed something). I'll attach some print screen images showing what I tried with my next post.

Baron