Chuck,
Sorry about the posts just has been very frustrating. I have been all over
your site and it looks as I have everything set correctly on each computer. I
have check the following on each computer:
-Client for MS Networks
-File & Print Sharing for MS Networks
-NetBios over TCP/IP enabled
-TCP/IP NetBios helper is installed and running
-ICS Service is installed and runing
-reg setting for restrictanonymous is to 0
-Guest account is enabled and active
-Local Security Policy:
----allow guest to log on locally
----allow guest to access this computer form the network
The following has also been performed
-tried a regular hub and no issue, so i know its not the router.
-diasabled XP firewall on PCs (just to be sure) (LAN and file and print
sharing were set as exceptions)
-browstat on all computers after reboot and all PCs showed the correct
number of servers in the domain. (only shows 0 after 45 mins.)
Great, this starts to sound, more and more, like a browser election problem.
Browser elections take from 6 to 52 minutes to take effect. The time range is
best explained by Microsoft in their white paper.
<
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winntas/deploy/prodspecs/ntbrowse.mspx>
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winntas/deploy/prodspecs/ntbrowse.mspx
Do you note the problem during the first 45 minutes, or after? Can you
reliably
reproduce the significant 45 minute time frame, so you can do tests before and
after? Maybe we can look at D60B7B834B9E4A0 "browstat status" before and
after?
Is D60B7B834B9E4A0 consistently elected as master browser? Is there anything
special about D60B7B834B9E4A0?
Is the XP firewall the only firewall involved? What antivirus products are
involved?
-check to see if winsock is corupted and it passed MS KB test
Which Winsock test did you do? There are 4, though only one is provided by
Microsoft.
I have also been able to turn off the browser service all all machines but
one and everythig is fine. however I must have this service on and set to
start up automatically. (my project reqsthat PCs must be "network ready")
I have also checked the reg key:
ISDOMAINMASTER - FALSE
MAINTAINSERVERLIST -AUTO
When you say "everythig is fine", do you mean that the reported symptoms go
away? Before or after (or both) the magical 45 minutes? Why then must you
"have this service on and set to start up automatically"? Am I
misunderstanding
what you're reporting, or are you maybe misunderstanding the difference
between
a solution and a workaround? What's the problem here?
Admittedly, the necessity of disabling the browser service is a pain, but in a
workgroup environment (and without an actual server) this is necessary to
prevent browser conflicts. I try to explain, and justify, the necessity in my
browser article.
<
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
Chuck,
When I say everything is Ok, I mean:
-The problem does not exist. I am able to see all PCs in workgroup. This is
only if there is one PC in the workgroup with the browser service started.
All others is off.
I am looking for a solution not a workaround. Having the service stopped on
all PCs except one is will not work in my situation.
This might be more information than needed but this is why I need a
solution. I am creating 2 images of 2 types of PCs. These images will be sent
to HP. HP will then image the machines and sell these images to my clients.
Each client will purchase approx 6-9 computers of image #1 and 0-1 computers
of image #2. Each client will take these PCs and place in a singe office
location (store). My clients will then network those computers together. To
avoid support costs, setup costs or having the client try and set up the
network themselves. We need to customize these PCs to be network ready (plug
and play) so all my client will have to do is un-box the PCs and plug them
into a router.
With the above said, if we sent out an image with the browser service
disabled the client would still have to enable the browser service upon
arrival of the PC. (or vice/versa - sending browser service out enabled).
With approx 200-300 offices that need to configure an office annually this
can be very problematic during setup and down the road.
We really appreciate all the help you have provided us so far. If there is
any additional information that we can provide please let me know. By the way
my e-mail is (e-mail address removed) . I would be more than happy to setup a
call if that is possible or remote access. Please let me know.
Once again Thanks.
Chris
