Computer Browser - cannot browse network on specific segment

[dave123456789]

Hi,

we have a mixed environment with windows 2003 servers and windows 2000 servers. clients are windows xp sp1 and sp2 and windows 2000 sp4. we are not using WINS database.

users on a specific segment are unable to browse the domain from My Network Places, Error :

<domain> is not accessible. You might not have the permission to use this network ressource. Contact the Administrator of this server to find out if you have access permission.

The following has been confirmed on the client side of things :

- TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper service
- computer browser service is DISABLED on all PC's and Laptops
- file and print sharing is enabled
- Netbios settings in TCP IP set to Default - User Netbios setting from DHCP.
- clients are able to map a drive from command prompt (net use x: \\server\share
- clients can ping by IP and name successfully
- clients cannot map a drive using Windows Explorer>map network drive

server side of things
- all servers are able to browse the domain through my network places
- DC's are listening on port 139 (netbios)
- DC holding FSMO is set to Master Browser

besides that...i am really stomped...not sure where to go from here.

again, only a specific subnet is having this problem.

Any guidance from here would be great

Regards,

David

 

[ADB100]

If this segment does not have any machines with the Browser service running then the NetBIOS browse list won't be available. For each IP network/subnet you should have at least 2 machines (servers or workstations) that are running the Browser service for clients to be able to 'browse'. Having 2 means you have a master browser and a backup browser.

HTH

Andy

 

[zoeythecat]

Is the DC holding the FSMO a "Multi-homed" server? I hear that can cause problems.

 

[dave123456789]

Thanks for your replies.

The computer browser service is running on 4 servers located on the same segment where the problem resides. (2 dc's and 2 member server - all win2k3).

just to clarify that the Computer Browser service is not running on client PC's...only on servers.

DC holding FSMO role is not multihomed.

DC holding FSMO role is able to browse the domain...again very odd since the DC is on the same segment...

other info :

unable to run browmon.exe from client PC - error : list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available

browstat -a generates : Browsing is not active on domain - Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus

nslookup works fine - we are able resolve any pc or server.

(pulling hair),

David

 

[zoeythecat]

You may need only 1 server to be the Master Browser service. Do you see any errors in your event viewer for any of your servers? If you do a browstat status on the 4 servers who is the master server? Perhaps you can disable the browser service on the Member Servers to see if this works?