Browsing NOT Active on Domain

[rshendrix]

I have a Windows 2000 Advanced Server that is a part of a workgoup only. I am continually getting errors 8032 & 8021 about the backup browser stopping and unable to obtain browse list from another server on my network. I am also not able to browse any network computers. From the My Network Places I see the workgroup name only and when attempting to expand it the message "list of servers for this workgroup is not available" appears.

I also run browstat.exe with the status option from the server and it comes back with "Browsing is NOT Active on domain". I'm not sure what this really means or how to correct.

The problem I have described above is also happening on at least 2 other workgroup servers. Several of the W2K pro workstations can browse just fine.

Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[mattjurado]

How many network cards do you have? Can you ping back and forth from the server and the workstations? What protocols do you have bound to your network adapter(s) (for win2k, you really only need TCP/IP, WINS is too chatty). If you have NetBEUI, try removing it. Also, if you have 2 network cards, and you're only using one, disable it.

If you haven't already, you really should have your advanced server running DNS. Win2k relies heavily on DNS for communications.

Could be several other things, let me know the answers to as many of these as possible.

Matt

 

[rshendrix]

Thanks for your quick response.

The server does have two NIC's even though only one is being used. I can ping back and forth from the server to other workstations, etc.. TCP/IP is the only protocol being used. The server in question is not running DNS.

 

[brontosaurus]

did you enable NetBios over TCP/IP?
is the Browser service running?

 

[mattjurado]

Along the lines with what bronto said, make sure NetBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled on your active card, and make sure it is NOT active on the idle card (or disable the whole interface if you like). I'm willing to bet this is your problem.

FYI (the option is found in TCP/IP properties, pardon me if my stating this is already known to you, rshendrix).

Matt

 

[rshendrix]

NetBios over TCP/IP is enabled on the NIC. I have disabled the second NIC. The computer browser service is running.

 

[mattjurado]

Now, you might shut down all the computers, and restart the server. This will ensure it is the master browser. You can disable the ability of the workstations from becoming master browsers too, if you like. Is there any reason you can't setup DNS?

Matt

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

 

[rshendrix]

Thanks to both Matt and Bronto for their help.

Apparently the problem was the fact that the workgroup name matched a domain name. The domain is on a subnet that our group does not manage. I changed the workgroup name on all three servers that I was having a problem with and all is now better...I can browse from the server(s).