Error "the remote computer is not available" accessing workstation

[Guest]

We recently added a new location, same domain, with a different subnet. I am
trying to browse to shared folders on XP Pro workstations on the new subnet,
and they do not appear in Network Neighborhood. When I try Start, Run,
\\192.168.4.4 or \\computername, I get the error message "the remote computer
is not available". I can ping the workstations I am trying to access, both
by name and by IP address. I can also access them via Remote Desktop with no
problems. I can browse shared folders on the old subnet from the new with no
problems (just not vice versa). I can also browse to shared files on the new
Windows 2000 server on that subnet with no problems. I have tried disabling
the XP firewall on the new workstations, and am still having the same
problem. I have also tried adding a lmhosts file and still the same thing.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much,
Lori

 

[K_R]

We recently added a new location, same domain, with a different subnet. I am
trying to browse to shared folders on XP Pro workstations on the new subnet,
and they do not appear in Network Neighborhood. When I try Start, Run,
\\192.168.4.4 or \\computername, I get the error message "the remote computer
is not available". I can ping the workstations I am trying to access, both
by name and by IP address. I can also access them via Remote Desktop with no
problems. I can browse shared folders on the old subnet from the new with no
problems (just not vice versa). I can also browse to shared files on the new
Windows 2000 server on that subnet with no problems. I have tried disabling
the XP firewall on the new workstations, and am still having the same
problem. I have also tried adding a lmhosts file and still the same thing.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much,
Lori

you may need a Master Browser on the subnet, to forward wins. you can
promote any 2k PC to be the Master.

Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Key: System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Browser\Parameters
Name: IsDomainMasterBrowser
Data Type: REG_SZ
Value: True

 

[Guest]

Can I make the W2K server on the new subnet the master browser? (I don't
think there are any workstations running 2K).

Thanks again!
Lori

 

[K_R]

Can I make the W2K server on the new subnet the master browser?

yes, absolutely. also, a Microsoft search for "Master Browser" should
return quite a few documents.

you can also check for the existence of a
browser on the subnet following these steps:

from CLI, run 'browstat status >> c:\device.txt'

the open the text doc and pull the mac address for your device.

you can then write a quick script that will check the subnet:

browstat view \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{"yourMACaddress"} \\"pc on your subnet"

this way you don't have to try and type in the MAC address at the CLI

this should return a list of pc's with their browser status. you are
looking for 'MBR'.

good luck!

KR