NodeTypes and networking

My client has Vista Ultimate version. He cannot get Internet connection nor
browse his network at work or even change to a domain (from a workgroup).

One issue I have seen in other computers and which he has now: if you do
ipconfig /all - you'll see his NodeType as "hybrid"

When I look in his registry under
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netbt\Parameters - I see
no NodeType dword value there. Nothing there that would give any signs of
his nodetype. Why do I see his nodetype when I do an ipconfig /all though?

Plus, I think by removing his nodetype so it'll just say "unknown" will
solve his network issues - but how on earth do you get rid of hybrid to make
the nodetype "unknown." I've seen so many computers with network issues, and
once the nodetype went from anything to "unknown" - their issues seem to
magically disappear. Somone, please tell me how to get rid of hybrid. I've
tried peer-to-peer, broadcast - all the types - none work. I just simply
want his nodetype to say "unknown"...how do I do that?

Thanks in advance.