Master browser issue

[DTracy]

Our domain currently consists of an NT4 PDC and BDC with three W2K servers for storage, and about ninety XP workstations. Each of the W2K servers and one W2K workstation keep trying to be elected master browser. The PDC and BDC are or should be the master and backup browsers.

How can I stop this constant election process between the W2K units?

Thanks and regards,
David.

 

[porkchopexpress]

The master browser usually ends up being either the PDC or the latest OS you might be getting issues with the 2k boxes being a later OS than the NT4 PDC.

Use the Netbios console to find which machines hold the roles.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/818092

You can also stop a machine from being involved in elections by stopping the Computer Browser service on that box.

or

http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/54/

 

[fuller772]

Disabling the Computer Browser service will do it.

 

[DTracy]

Thanks for the replies porkshopexpress and fuller772.

The IsDomainMaster key in the registry of all three W2K servers was already set to FALSE. Is there anything else that you can think of that could be causing the constant election process?

Thanks,
det

 

[porkchopexpress]

Dissable the computer browser service then that will definatly sort the problem.

 

[DTracy]

Hi guys,
This didn't work out so well. We have all the servers connected with an Omni View. I came in early this morning so that I could set the MaintainServerList key to No on the three W2K servers so that the browsers would be disabled. I thought that I would save some time and just do them all at once--heh, heh. After the servers restarted I went to the Omni to select a server to log into. Wouldn't work! After several attempts I rounded up a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and proceeded to reverse my disabling procedure. About an hour, and many-many complaints later I managed to reverse my bad and get everything going again :-(

Ok, Is there a way around this?

Thanks,
David.

 

[nightrax]

l have been having the same problem on my network, running Win2K and XP Pro workstations.

You need to D/L a Win2K server tool called: Browmon.exe - This looks at the PDC and any other computers that are currenly looking to become master browser machines.

It will help you narrow down your search to your problamatic PC's.

The master browser is in most cases PDC and windows likes you to have a backup master browser so in the event of the PDC crashing it can use the other machine, to serve the internet for the network.

l have found that things like, Microsoft Passport and VPN programs make your machine force an election. The PDC will always win the election, but it can cause problems as u well know.

Hope this helps...

Like cellotape, im on a roll....

 

[porkchopexpress]

Did you just stop the computer browser service or use the registry edit?

I can't see why the Omni View would be affected by this as another server should assume the browser roll, i'm wondering if the NT4 boxes are just not taking up the role as 2k boxes are present.

Did you download the browse console? If not head here and run the program, this will tell you what boxes have the roles once you have sorted that we can look into turning the browser service off one box at a time. Each time a master browser is moved it can take between 20 mins and an hour to sort the list out again, so it will be a gradual process and we can monitor it with the browse console.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/818092