Master browser setting

[Ken Knecht]

I have two XP Home computers on a LAN. One is my main desktop machine
(Kenneth) and the other a backup desktop (Bernard).

I've tried setting Kenneth master browser as Yes, Bernard No and also
Bernard Auto. Bernard cannot see any of its shared drives in Network
Neighboehood (no permission to view workgroup?). Kenneth can see
Kenneth's and Bernard's shared drives but can only access Kenneth's, says
no permission or network path for Bernard's. Maybe master browser
settings wrong? All network properties seem to be set the same, unless
I'm overlooking something.

TIA

 

[Chuck]

I have two XP Home computers on a LAN. One is my main desktop machine
(Kenneth) and the other a backup desktop (Bernard).

I've tried setting Kenneth master browser as Yes, Bernard No and also
Bernard Auto. Bernard cannot see any of its shared drives in Network
Neighboehood (no permission to view workgroup?). Kenneth can see
Kenneth's and Bernard's shared drives but can only access Kenneth's, says
no permission or network path for Bernard's. Maybe master browser
settings wrong? All network properties seem to be set the same, unless
I'm overlooking something.

Ken,

If you've set the browser off on Bernard, and Bernard can't see its own shared
drives, then you have a problem other than the browser. Probably a personal
firewall.

I see you asking for help her periodically, but apparently never figuring out
what the problem really is. Or are these new problems each time? We'll work
with you, but we can work better if we have some idea what's really going on.

 

[Ken Knecht]

Ken,

If you've set the browser off on Bernard, and Bernard can't see its
own shared drives, then you have a problem other than the browser.
Probably a personal firewall.

I see you asking for help her periodically, but apparently never
figuring out what the problem really is. Or are these new problems
each time? We'll work with you, but we can work better if we have
some idea what's really going on.

Hey! You nailed it! Thank you very much! I turned off Bernard's firewall
(Tiny Personal Firewall 2.0.15A) and the drive icons immediately
appeared. Turned the firewall back on. Still see icons. Rebooted. Still
see icons. ???

So now I'm back to square one.

This is what's really going on.

Kenneth sees its own drive icons and files. Sees Bernard's drive icons
but can't look at files (no permission/no network path).

Bernard can see its own drive icons and files again. But not Kenneth's.

Bernard master browser currently set to Auto, Kenneth's to Yes.

Both have the XP firewall turned off, TPF on.

As far as I can tell both's Control Panel Network Connections properties
are all set the same.

Both are running XP Home but Bernard's is a year or two older. No SP1.
Kenneth has SP1. I've not upgraded neither on-line as I use a dial-up and
it's too slow.

Both use MSHOME as workgroup name.

Neither can ping the other.

The LAN worked up until a week or two ago, but then I stupidly crashed
Kenneth. I restored the backup (NTBackup) and a copy of the registry made
at the same time (Erunt) as the backup and I've had the above problems
since then.

Bad hub? Change to crossover cable? But then how does Kenneth see
Bernard's drive icons? And it worked before the crash.

Anything else you need to know?

TIA

 

[Chuck]

Hey! You nailed it! Thank you very much! I turned off Bernard's firewall
(Tiny Personal Firewall 2.0.15A) and the drive icons immediately
appeared. Turned the firewall back on. Still see icons. Rebooted. Still
see icons. ???

So now I'm back to square one.

This is what's really going on.

Kenneth sees its own drive icons and files. Sees Bernard's drive icons
but can't look at files (no permission/no network path).

Bernard can see its own drive icons and files again. But not Kenneth's.

Bernard master browser currently set to Auto, Kenneth's to Yes.

Both have the XP firewall turned off, TPF on.

As far as I can tell both's Control Panel Network Connections properties
are all set the same.

Both are running XP Home but Bernard's is a year or two older. No SP1.
Kenneth has SP1. I've not upgraded neither on-line as I use a dial-up and
it's too slow.

Both use MSHOME as workgroup name.

Neither can ping the other.

The LAN worked up until a week or two ago, but then I stupidly crashed
Kenneth. I restored the backup (NTBackup) and a copy of the registry made
at the same time (Erunt) as the backup and I've had the above problems
since then.

Bad hub? Change to crossover cable? But then how does Kenneth see
Bernard's drive icons? And it worked before the crash.

Ken,

The browse list is cached, it's not updated immediately. When you turned the
firewall off on Bernard, it was able to see Kenneth as the master browser, and
got the browse list from it. You turned the firewall back on, and were still
able to see, because of the cached browse list.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/09/nt-browser-and-windows-networking.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/09/nt-browser-and-windows-networking.html

You could have a hardware problem too (anything is possible, and especially
compound problems), but let's concentrate on the firewall issue. We need to
first look at the network while the firewalls are in normal state, which right
now is on (which is a good normal state).
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/solving-network-problems-tutorial.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/solving-network-problems-tutorial.html

Let's look at "browstat status", "ipconfig /all", "net config server", and "net
config workstation", from each computer. Read this article, and linked
articles, and follow instructions precisely (download browstat!):
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp

And what is the exact setting for NetBT on both computers?
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/netbios-over-tcpip.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/netbios-over-tcpip.html

 

[Ken Knecht]

Ken,

The browse list is cached, it's not updated immediately. When you
turned the firewall off on Bernard, it was able to see Kenneth as the
master browser,

Evidently the hub and cables are ok then?

and got the browse list from it. You turned the
firewall back on, and were still able to see, because of the cached
browse list.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/09/nt-browser-and-windows-networkin
g.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/09/nt-browser-and-windows-networking
.html

You could have a hardware problem too (anything is possible, and
especially compound problems), but let's concentrate on the firewall
issue. We need to first look at the network while the firewalls are
in normal state, which right now is on (which is a good normal state).
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/solving-network-problems-tutoria
l.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/solving-network-problems-tutorial
.html

Let's look at "browstat status",

Bernard XP Home, no SP Master Browser set to Auto

Status for domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{363510F7-6EAD-
4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: BERNARD
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master BERNARD
\\BERNARD
There are 1 servers in domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_
{363510F7-6EAD-4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}
There are 1 domains in domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_
{363510F7-6EAD-4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}

Kenneth XP Home, SP1, Master Browser set to Yes

Status for domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8F7F4ADF-3D5B-
44D3-BEEB-AF300F87B1FA}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master browser name is held by: KENNETH
Master browser is running build 2600

"ipconfig /all",

Bernard

Windows IP Configuration



Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Bernard

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :

Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown

IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No



Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:



Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/100 VM Network
Connection

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-02-A5-D7-84-9E

Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No

IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.10.1

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :


Kenneth

Windows IP Configuration



Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Kenneth

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :

Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown

IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No



Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:



Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network
Connection

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-11-11-5A-B1-0C

Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No

IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.10.3

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :



PPP adapter Deru:



Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-53-45-00-00-00

Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No

IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 4.240.36.225

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 4.240.36.225

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 209.244.0.3

209.244.0.4

NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled



"net config server", and "net config workstation",

Bernard

Server Name \\BERNARD
Server Comment Compaq 5000

Software version Windows 2002
Server is active on
NetbiosSmb (000000000000)
NetBT_Tcpip_{363510F7-6EAD-4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193} (0002a5d7849e)


Server hidden No
Maximum Logged On Users 5
Maximum open files per session 16384

Idle session time (min) 15
The command completed successfully.

Computer name \\BERNARD
Full Computer name Bernard
User name Ken

Workstation active on
NetbiosSmb (000000000000)
NetBT_Tcpip_{363510F7-6EAD-4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193} (0002A5D7849E)

Software version Windows 2002

Workstation domain MSHOME
Workstation Domain DNS Name (null)
Logon domain BERNARD

COM Open Timeout (sec) 0
COM Send Count (byte) 16
COM Send Timeout (msec) 250
The command completed successfully.

Kenneth

Server Name \\KENNETH
Server Comment eMachine

Software version Windows 2002
Server is active on
NetbiosSmb (000000000000)
NetBT_Tcpip_{8F7F4ADF-3D5B-44D3-BEEB-AF300F87B1FA} (0011115ab10c)


Server hidden No
Maximum Logged On Users 5
Maximum open files per session 16384

Idle session time (min) 15
The command completed successfully.

from each computer. Read this

article, and linked articles, and follow instructions precisely
(download browstat!):
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighbor
hood.html#AskingForHelp>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborh
ood.html#AskingForHelp

And what is the exact setting for NetBT on both computers?
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/netbios-over-tcpip.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/netbios-over-tcpip.html

TCP/IP - Advanced Properties - WINS

Both Bernard and Kenneth

/X/ enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP

Thanks

Ken

 

[Chuck]

Evidently the hub and cables are ok then?


Bernard XP Home, no SP Master Browser set to Auto

Status for domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{363510F7-6EAD-
4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: BERNARD
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master BERNARD
\\BERNARD
There are 1 servers in domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_
{363510F7-6EAD-4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}
There are 1 domains in domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_
{363510F7-6EAD-4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}

Kenneth XP Home, SP1, Master Browser set to Yes

Status for domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8F7F4ADF-3D5B-
44D3-BEEB-AF300F87B1FA}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master browser name is held by: KENNETH
Master browser is running build 2600

"ipconfig /all",

Bernard

Windows IP Configuration



Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Bernard

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :

Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown

IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No



Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:



Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/100 VM Network
Connection

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-02-A5-D7-84-9E

Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No

IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.10.1

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :


Kenneth

Windows IP Configuration



Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Kenneth

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :

Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown

IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No



Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:



Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network
Connection

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-11-11-5A-B1-0C

Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No

IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.10.3

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :



PPP adapter Deru:



Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-53-45-00-00-00

Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No

IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 4.240.36.225

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 4.240.36.225

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 209.244.0.3

209.244.0.4

NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled



"net config server", and "net config workstation",

Bernard

Server Name \\BERNARD
Server Comment Compaq 5000

Software version Windows 2002
Server is active on
NetbiosSmb (000000000000)
NetBT_Tcpip_{363510F7-6EAD-4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193} (0002a5d7849e)


Server hidden No
Maximum Logged On Users 5
Maximum open files per session 16384

Idle session time (min) 15
The command completed successfully.

Computer name \\BERNARD
Full Computer name Bernard
User name Ken

Workstation active on
NetbiosSmb (000000000000)
NetBT_Tcpip_{363510F7-6EAD-4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193} (0002A5D7849E)

Software version Windows 2002

Workstation domain MSHOME
Workstation Domain DNS Name (null)
Logon domain BERNARD

COM Open Timeout (sec) 0
COM Send Count (byte) 16
COM Send Timeout (msec) 250
The command completed successfully.

Kenneth

Server Name \\KENNETH
Server Comment eMachine

Software version Windows 2002
Server is active on
NetbiosSmb (000000000000)
NetBT_Tcpip_{8F7F4ADF-3D5B-44D3-BEEB-AF300F87B1FA} (0011115ab10c)


Server hidden No
Maximum Logged On Users 5
Maximum open files per session 16384

Idle session time (min) 15
The command completed successfully.

from each computer. Read this
TCP/IP - Advanced Properties - WINS

Both Bernard and Kenneth

/X/ enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP

Thanks

Ken

OK, Ken,

What is "Master Browser set to Auto"? Are you referring to the Computer Browser
service Startup type set to "Automatic"? And "Master Browser set to Yes" - is
that Computer Browser service Startup type set to "Manual"?

Pick one computer - with two computers either one is OK, though I would use the
newest - as Master Browser.
1) Set the Computer Browser service Startup type to "Automatic" on the
designated MB.
2) Stop, then Disable, the service on the other.
3) Power both computers off.
4) Power the MB on. Wait til the desktop is up.
5) Power the other computer on.
6) Rerun browstat on both.

 

[Ken Knecht]

OK, Ken,

What is "Master Browser set to Auto"? Are you referring to the
Computer Browser service Startup type set to "Automatic"? And "Master
Browser set to Yes" - is that Computer Browser service Startup type
set to "Manual"?

I am setting the Master Browser using the registry setting IsDomainMaster
at

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Browser\Parameters

The options are

Yes: is master browser
No: is not master browser
Auto: Resolve though browser elections (default)

This is where I am setting a computer as Master Browser. Evidently this
does not agree with your response to my setting immediately above. Should
I be setting the Master Browser elsewhere? I know of no place to do so.
Once we get this clear I will follow your instructions below.

Thanks,

Ken

 

[Chuck]

I am setting the Master Browser using the registry setting IsDomainMaster
at

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Browser\Parameters

The options are

Yes: is master browser
No: is not master browser
Auto: Resolve though browser elections (default)

This is where I am setting a computer as Master Browser. Evidently this
does not agree with your response to my setting immediately above. Should
I be setting the Master Browser elsewhere? I know of no place to do so.
Once we get this clear I will follow your instructions below.

Thanks,

Ken

Ken,

The settings IsDomainMaster and MaintainServerList are good settings to use in
an actual domain, with multiple servers, to make the server election process
more manageable. In a home network, you'll get more predictable results by
disabling the browser service on computers that don't need to be a browser.
Read about the browser in my article, and the linked Microsoft white papers, if
you like.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/04/nt-browser-or-why-cant-i-always-see.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/04/nt-browser-or-why-cant-i-always-see.html

 

[Ken Knecht]

Ken,

The settings IsDomainMaster and MaintainServerList are good settings
to use in an actual domain, with multiple servers, to make the server
election process more manageable. In a home network, you'll get more
predictable results by disabling the browser service on computers that
don't need to be a browser. Read about the browser in my article, and
the linked Microsoft white papers, if you like.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/04/nt-browser-or-why-cant-i-always-
see.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/04/nt-browser-or-why-cant-i-always-s
ee.html

Kenneth, Browstat status, XP Home, IsDomain Master set to Auto in registry
as described yesterday above.

Status for domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8F7F4ADF-3D5B-
44D3-BEEB-AF300F87B1FA}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master browser name is held by: KENNETH
Master browser is running build 2600

Bernard, Browstat status, XP Home. IsDomain Master set to No in registry as
described yesterday above.

Status for domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{363510F7-6EAD-
4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: BERNARD
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master BERNARD
\\BERNARD
There are 1 servers in domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_
{363510F7-6EAD-4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}
There are 1 domains in domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_
{363510F7-6EAD-4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}

This makes no sense to me. Kenneth should be master browser, not Bernard.

I repeat, is there some other way to set the master browser in XP Home? In
your

http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/04/nt-browser-or-why-cant-i-always-
see.html

you say to "Set the computer Browser service..." but don't say how. For
Windows 9X you give more details.

Ken

 

[Chuck]

Kenneth, Browstat status, XP Home, IsDomain Master set to Auto in registry
as described yesterday above.

Status for domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8F7F4ADF-3D5B-
44D3-BEEB-AF300F87B1FA}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master browser name is held by: KENNETH
Master browser is running build 2600

Bernard, Browstat status, XP Home. IsDomain Master set to No in registry as
described yesterday above.

Status for domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{363510F7-6EAD-
4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: BERNARD
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master BERNARD
\\BERNARD
There are 1 servers in domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_
{363510F7-6EAD-4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}
There are 1 domains in domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_
{363510F7-6EAD-4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}

This makes no sense to me. Kenneth should be master browser, not Bernard.

I repeat, is there some other way to set the master browser in XP Home? In
your

http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/04/nt-browser-or-why-cant-i-always-
see.html

you say to "Set the computer Browser service..." but don't say how. For
Windows 9X you give more details.

The Services article, linked, is supposed to explain that. The Services wizard
is available on both XP Home and Pro.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/services-running-on-your-computer.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/services-running-on-your-computer.html

After you change either browser service, you need to restart both computers
simultaneously. I recommend power off, so you know when both computers are
offline.

 

[Ken Knecht]

The Services article, linked, is supposed to explain that. The
Services wizard is available on both XP Home and Pro.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/services-running-on-your-compute
r.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/services-running-on-your-computer
.html

After you change either browser service, you need to restart both
computers simultaneously. I recommend power off, so you know when
both computers are offline.

Thanks. Thanks to you, finally figured out how to set the master browser
with Services.

Kenneth, machine intended to be master browser, XP Home, In Services set to
Automatic. Output of Browstat status

Status for domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8F7F4ADF-3D5B-
44D3-BEEB-AF300F87B1FA}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master browser name is held by: KENNETH
Master browser is running build 2600


Bernard, machine intended to not be master browser, XP Home, In Services
set to Stopped, Disabled. Output of Browstat status

Status for domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{363510F7-6EAD-
4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus.

Not what I expected.

Ken

 

[Chuck]

Thanks. Thanks to you, finally figured out how to set the master browser
with Services.

Kenneth, machine intended to be master browser, XP Home, In Services set to
Automatic. Output of Browstat status

Status for domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8F7F4ADF-3D5B-
44D3-BEEB-AF300F87B1FA}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master browser name is held by: KENNETH
Master browser is running build 2600


Bernard, machine intended to not be master browser, XP Home, In Services
set to Stopped, Disabled. Output of Browstat status

Status for domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{363510F7-6EAD-
4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus.

Not what I expected.

Ken

Ken,

With the browser service turned off on Bernard, the switches shouldn't matter.
But what settings do you have for IsDomainMaster and MaintainServerList on
Kenneth? Make sure that both are set to "Yes".

And make sure that the browser service is actually running on Kenneth. Any
errors in the Event Log?
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/using-event-viewer-to-get-details.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/using-event-viewer-to-get-details.html

Your original logs:

Bernard XP Home, no SP Master Browser set to Auto

Status for domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{363510F7-6EAD-
4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: BERNARD
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master BERNARD
\\BERNARD
There are 1 servers in domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_
{363510F7-6EAD-4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}
There are 1 domains in domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_
{363510F7-6EAD-4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}

Kenneth XP Home, SP1, Master Browser set to Yes

Status for domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8F7F4ADF-3D5B-
44D3-BEEB-AF300F87B1FA}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master browser name is held by: KENNETH
Master browser is running build 2600

If you can get the above only by running Bernard as the browser, then you have
at least a problem on Kenneth. Either a personal firewall, or LSP / Winsock
corruption, is where you have to start.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/problems-with-lsp-winsock-layer-in.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/problems-with-lsp-winsock-layer-in.html

 

[Ken Knecht]

Ken,

With the browser service turned off on Bernard, the switches shouldn't
matter. But what settings do you have for IsDomainMaster and
MaintainServerList on Kenneth? Make sure that both are set to "Yes".

Ok. Done. They were both Auto (these are in the registry, right?).
Browstat status stayed the same.

And make sure that the browser service is actually running on Kenneth.
Any errors in the Event Log?
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/using-event-viewer-to-get-detail
s.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/using-event-viewer-to-get-details
.html

I'll DL and print this and and study it tonight.

Your original logs:

Bernard XP Home, no SP Master Browser set to Auto

Status for domain MSHOME on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{363510F7-6EAD- 4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: BERNARD
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master BERNARD
\\BERNARD
There are 1 servers in domain MSHOME on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_
{363510F7-6EAD-4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}
There are 1 domains in domain MSHOME on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_
{363510F7-6EAD-4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}

Kenneth XP Home, SP1, Master Browser set to Yes

Status for domain MSHOME on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8F7F4ADF-3D5B- 44D3-BEEB-AF300F87B1FA}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master browser name is held by: KENNETH
Master browser is running build 2600

If you can get the above only by running Bernard as the browser, then
you have at least a problem on Kenneth. Either a personal firewall,

I tried turning off the firewalls. Bernard Netwark Places stayed the
same, showing only Bernard's icons. However, Kenneth changed radically.
Now I see no drive or other icons from either machine. If I click on
Folders, then Entire network and then on Mshome icon I still get no icons
from either machine.

Turned the firewalls back on. No change.

or LSP / Winsock corruption, is where you have to start.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-eithe
r-help.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either
-help.html
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/problems-with-lsp-winsock-layer-
in.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/problems-with-lsp-winsock-layer-i
n.html

I'll DL these and print them and study them tonight. I'll report back
tomorrow.

BTW, the master browser settings - Automatic for Kenneth and Stopped and
Disabled from Bernard - were made in the 'Computer Browser' entry in the
Services list. Correct?

Thanks.

Ken

 

[Chuck]

Ok. Done. They were both Auto (these are in the registry, right?).
Browstat status stayed the same.
I'll DL and print this and and study it tonight.


I tried turning off the firewalls. Bernard Netwark Places stayed the
same, showing only Bernard's icons. However, Kenneth changed radically.
Now I see no drive or other icons from either machine. If I click on
Folders, then Entire network and then on Mshome icon I still get no icons
from either machine.

Turned the firewalls back on. No change.

I'll DL these and print them and study them tonight. I'll report back
tomorrow.

BTW, the master browser settings - Automatic for Kenneth and Stopped and
Disabled from Bernard - were made in the 'Computer Browser' entry in the
Services list. Correct?

Ken,

In order to prevent the problems, stopping the service on some computers, as you
did, is the proper procedure. That does require the proper registry settings on
the master browser, though, so I recommended that you correct those settings on
Kenneth.

The problem is that there are dozens of settings, services, and miscellaneous
tweaks that you have to get right, all in proper order, for Windows Networking
to operate properly. And you need to know what they are, don't just drop a
whole cookbook of solutions in at once.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/solving-network-problems-tutorial.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/solving-network-problems-tutorial.html

 

[Ken Knecht]

Ken,

In order to prevent the problems, stopping the service on some
computers, as you did, is the proper procedure. That does require the
proper registry settings on the master browser, though, so I
recommended that you correct those settings on Kenneth.

In Kenneth:

I have 'Computer Browser' in Services list set to Automatic.
IsDomainMaster in the registry is set to Yes
MaintainServerList in the registry is set to Yes
What others are there?

The problem is that there are dozens of settings, services, and
miscellaneous tweaks that you have to get right, all in proper order,
for Windows Networking to operate properly. And you need to know what
they are, don't just drop a whole cookbook of solutions in at once.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/solving-network-problems-tutoria
l.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/solving-network-problems-tutorial
.html

I'll read this again this evening, together with the Event Viewer,
Firewall, and Winsock stuff I DLed earlier. I also printed out the System
Event List to peruse, the other two didn't look like they had any
applicable entries. Neither did the firewall's event list.

Ken

 

[Chuck]

In Kenneth:

I have 'Computer Browser' in Services list set to Automatic.
IsDomainMaster in the registry is set to Yes
MaintainServerList in the registry is set to Yes
What others are there?

I'll read this again this evening, together with the Event Viewer,
Firewall, and Winsock stuff I DLed earlier. I also printed out the System
Event List to peruse, the other two didn't look like they had any
applicable entries. Neither did the firewall's event list.

Ken,

When you ask

What others are there?

I'll presume that you mean browser settings specifically. In that case, that's
all that I can think of, right now. There are other settings, and protocols,
that can cause problems that browstat will diagnose. And the various problems
can mimic each other.

Look at "access denied" for instance.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/mysterious-error-5-aka-access-denied.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/mysterious-error-5-aka-access-denied.html

But let's take it one step at a time, right now.

So enjoy the reading. ;-)

 

[Ken Knecht]

Ken,

When you ask
I'll presume that you mean browser settings specifically. In that
case, that's all that I can think of, right now. There are other
settings, and protocols, that can cause problems that browstat will
diagnose. And the various problems can mimic each other.

Look at "access denied" for instance.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/mysterious-error-5-aka-access-de
nied.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/mysterious-error-5-aka-access-den
ied.html

But let's take it one step at a time, right now.

So enjoy the reading. ;-)

Good news, mostly...

I bought a cheap new hub yesterday. After the computers were on for an
hour, I turned off the firewall on both machines (after going off-line) for
about 10 minutes. Then turned the firewalls back on. Now I can see both
computers' icons on both machines. I seem to be able (I probably didn't try
_every_ drive) to see the folders on the other computer's drives. But
Bernard can't see the _contents_ of the folders on Kenneth's drive C (can
see the folders that open when I first double-click on the drive icon, but
not the contents of those folders.), nor Kenneth's shared documents.
However, it can see Kenneth's other two drives and folder contents ok.
Kenneth seems to be able to see everything on Bernard ok, including C and
Shared Documents. Drive C and Shared Documents on Kenneth are set to share
in the drive's properties the same as the two visible drives.

So, evidently it was the hub? I'm still using the old cables, but had
purchased a new one for troubleshooting.

Any suggestions on sharing Kenneth's drive C fully (and Shared Documents)?

Thanks so very much for your help and patience so far. And marvelous web
site.

Here's hoping things don't go kaput again, next time I boot.

Ken

 

[Chuck]

Good news, mostly...

I bought a cheap new hub yesterday. After the computers were on for an
hour, I turned off the firewall on both machines (after going off-line) for
about 10 minutes. Then turned the firewalls back on. Now I can see both
computers' icons on both machines. I seem to be able (I probably didn't try
_every_ drive) to see the folders on the other computer's drives. But
Bernard can't see the _contents_ of the folders on Kenneth's drive C (can
see the folders that open when I first double-click on the drive icon, but
not the contents of those folders.), nor Kenneth's shared documents.
However, it can see Kenneth's other two drives and folder contents ok.
Kenneth seems to be able to see everything on Bernard ok, including C and
Shared Documents. Drive C and Shared Documents on Kenneth are set to share
in the drive's properties the same as the two visible drives.

So, evidently it was the hub? I'm still using the old cables, but had
purchased a new one for troubleshooting.

Any suggestions on sharing Kenneth's drive C fully (and Shared Documents)?

Thanks so very much for your help and patience so far. And marvelous web
site.

Here's hoping things don't go kaput again, next time I boot.

Ken

Ken,

Hardware could indeed be the originating problem. But if you have problems
seeing one share, and not another, you may still have problems.

At any rate, make sure that you run "browstat status" on both computers, and
that you see a clean set of browstat logs, before you continue. Both computers
should see each other, and there should be only one master browser.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/browstat-utility-from-microsoft.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/browstat-utility-from-microsoft.html

Then we'll get into file sharing issues, if necessary.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html

 

[Ken Knecht]

Ken,

Hardware could indeed be the originating problem. But if you have
problems seeing one share, and not another, you may still have
problems.

At any rate, make sure that you run "browstat status" on both
computers, and that you see a clean set of browstat logs, before you
continue. Both computers should see each other, and there should be
only one master browser.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/browstat-utility-from-microsoft.
html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/browstat-utility-from-microsoft.h
tml

Then we'll get into file sharing issues, if necessary.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.ht
ml>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.htm
l

Browstat Kenneth

Status for domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8F7F4ADF-3D5B-
44D3-BEEB-AF300F87B1FA}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: KENNETH
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master KENNETH
\\KENNETH
There are 1 servers in domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_
{8F7F4ADF-3D5B-44D3-BEEB-AF300F87B1FA}
There are 0 domains in domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_
{8F7F4ADF-3D5B-44D3-BEEB-AF300F87B1FA}

Browstat Bernard

Status for domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{363510F7-6EAD-
4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: KENNETH
Could not connect to registry, error = 53 Unable to determine build
of browser master: 53
\\\\KENNETH . Version:05.01 Flags: 41203 NT MASTER
1 backup servers retrieved from master KENNETH
\\KENNETH
There are 1 servers in domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_
{363510F7-6EAD-4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}
There are 0 domains in domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_
{363510F7-6EAD-4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}

I see I still have a problem with Bernard. I did these tests while the LAN
was operating normally and was not showing the firewall problem described
next.

This may be out of your area of expertise, but I noted a firewall problem
after I posted earlier. I think.

I use Tiny Personal Firewall 2.0.15A. It seems to be intermittently
interferring with my LAN operation. Sometimes Bernard's drives are not
accessable from Kenneth, but Kenneth's are from Bernard. But if I turn the
firewalls (all computers use TPF) off for a minute or two, then back on,
access resumes normally. The IPs are in the trusted lists as they should
be. I can't find documentation for this firewall with Google, or a mention
of this problem.

Maybe a different firewall?

This is getting frustrating!

Ken

 

[Chuck]

Browstat Kenneth

Status for domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8F7F4ADF-3D5B-
44D3-BEEB-AF300F87B1FA}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: KENNETH
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master KENNETH
\\KENNETH
There are 1 servers in domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_
{8F7F4ADF-3D5B-44D3-BEEB-AF300F87B1FA}
There are 0 domains in domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_
{8F7F4ADF-3D5B-44D3-BEEB-AF300F87B1FA}

Browstat Bernard

Status for domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{363510F7-6EAD-
4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: KENNETH
Could not connect to registry, error = 53 Unable to determine build
of browser master: 53
\\\\KENNETH . Version:05.01 Flags: 41203 NT MASTER
1 backup servers retrieved from master KENNETH
\\KENNETH
There are 1 servers in domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_
{363510F7-6EAD-4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}
There are 0 domains in domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_
{363510F7-6EAD-4B0C-A746-6BE0E142A193}

I see I still have a problem with Bernard. I did these tests while the LAN
was operating normally and was not showing the firewall problem described
next.

This may be out of your area of expertise, but I noted a firewall problem
after I posted earlier. I think.

I use Tiny Personal Firewall 2.0.15A. It seems to be intermittently
interferring with my LAN operation. Sometimes Bernard's drives are not
accessable from Kenneth, but Kenneth's are from Bernard. But if I turn the
firewalls (all computers use TPF) off for a minute or two, then back on,
access resumes normally. The IPs are in the trusted lists as they should
be. I can't find documentation for this firewall with Google, or a mention
of this problem.

Maybe a different firewall?

This is getting frustrating!

Ken,

Network work can be frustrating. You gotta take it a layer at a time, though,
with the proper diagnostics.

This is normal, with XP Home

Could not connect to registry, error = 53

This is not

There are 1 servers in domain MSHOME

Since you say above that NetBT is explicitly Enabled on both computers, that
leaves us with a personal firewall as the primary problem (or maybe LSP /
Winsock corruption).
1) Check your LSP / Winsock. Be persistent here.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/problems-with-lsp-winsock-layer-in.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/problems-with-lsp-winsock-layer-in.html
2) Check the Tiny documentation carefully, for antiworm protection. This is a
trendy feature in firewalls now, and you have to look carefully.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html
3) Un install TPF carefully, following instructions from the vendor. Be very
diligent here. Then repeat step 1.

But you have a major problem. With XP SP0 on one computer, and SP1 on the
other, you are a security problem in the making. And without SP2, you have 2
major disadvantages:
1) You cannot get Windows Firewall.
2) You cannot apply security updates.

Sooner or later, your inability to apply security updates will become a major
problem. I urge you to find a solution NOW, before that happens. Take the
computers to a professional shop, if necessary.