Master Browser List contains phantom domains

[Guest]

Hi,

We have a domain spread across three sites.

We run win2000/2003 servers and XP workstations. The domain is win2000
native.

There is one old NT4 server on the network but it is not part of the domain.
The "Computer Browser Service" on this server has been stopped.

Over a year ago before we moved to active directory we had some other
Domains on the network. These were removed over a year ago along with:-

1. All trust references to these domains.
2. All LMHOST references to these domains.
3. All WINS references to these domains.

However despite all this these domains still show up in network neighborhood.

It has been suggested that we shut down every machine on the network across
three sites and then bring the entire network up from cold. This would be
difficult to co-ordinate.

The idea is that this would flush out any phantom entries in the Browse
Master lists that keep propogating back into the browse list of other
machines.

Ideally I would like to disable the "Computer Browser Service" on all
workstations so we only need to worry about co-ordinating a restart of the
servers.

Is there an easy way to disable this service on all workstations. I am
thinking that Group Policy or a script might do it. Any guidance would be
most helpful.

Regards,
Terje.

 

[Doug Sherman [MVP]]

Turning off the computer browser service prevents a machine from
participating in browser elections. Disabling this service does not prevent
a NetBios enabled computer from reporting its name, resources and
domain/workgroup membership.

For example, the NT 4.0 server you refer to is not a member of the domain.
Therefore, it is a member of a workgroup - perhaps with a workgroup name
identical to the NetBios name of a now defunct domain. This 'domain' will
appear in the browse list. If there are other workgroup computers connected
to the network, their workgroup name will continue to appear in the browse
list, and this could account for your problem.

Doug Sherman
MCSE Win2k/NT4.0, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP

 

[Andrei Ungureanu]

in group policy under computer configuration\security settings\windows
settings\ you'll see the services section. Apply a GPO with the computer
browser service stopped for all workstations and let this run only on
servers.

Andrei Ungureanu
www.eventid.net
Free Windows event logs reports
http://www.altairtech.ca/evlog/