Server keeps disappearing from My Network Places

[guido449]

We are running a single-domain, Windows 2003 SBS network. We have an additional W2K3 Standard box (which I will call SERVER2) serving as an Application, Print and File server. SERVER2 is not a DC. On a daily basis SERVER2 will disappear from My Network Places. The shares on SERVER2 are still accessible by typing in \\SERVER2\SHARE and all mapped drives to SERVER2 shares remain intact on all computers. I can also ping it from other servers/workstations and it is resolving if I do an NSLOOKUP from a workstation. The network is running WINS (on a different server) and I have the NIC configured to configure NetBIOS over TCP/IP. When I query WINS it does show two records for SERVER2 (as well as two records for the other non-WINS servers.) To troubleshoot, I took the server off the domain, cleared out all entries in DNS and WINS, and then rejoined SERVER2 to the domain. That worked for about 18 hours then it dropped off the network again. Can anyone offer additional suggestions (other than wipe Windows clean and start over.) Thanks.

Faster arrival times through superior horsepower.

 

[itsp1965]

Couple of things;

1. Is this server on the same subnet as the SBS server? or is it on a diff subnet?

2. Check to see that you don't have any browser elections causing havoc on your browser lists. Check the event log on the DC and the server for this behaviour

The fact that your users can still access shares, resolve the name means your networking is still working. Re-building an OS for the sake of being able to browse to it is not necessary

 

[guido449]

Both the SBS and SERVER2 are on the same subnet. I also checked the Event logs on both SERVER2 and the SBS box. Both are not showing any election errors.

I just mentioned the blip about not reformatting because that seems to be the blanket response in forums sometimes.

Faster arrival times through superior horsepower.