Win2K3 Server does not appear in Browse List

[STF26]

Hello, I am having an issue with a W2K3 member server that will not appear in the network browse list. If I run NET VIEW on the machine or any other machine in the domain it does not appear. It makes it tough to setup a Backup Exec job to it or setup Symantec AV. The machine is setup to point to the correct DNS and WINS servers. NSLOOKUP runs fine on it and resolves names. The computer browser service is also started.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

STF

 

[ChicagoTechNet]

I wish you gave us the system error when doing net view, for example, system error 6118 so that we may be able to provide the resolution for you.

amsuuming this is master broswer issue. quoted from

http:///www.chicagotech.net

How do I know I have a browser problem

When you open My Network Places, the computer list you see is obtaining from the master browser of your network. You have a master browser issue if you have the following symptoms. 1) If you can ping a computer name, you can search it, you can map it, but that computer doesn't show or take long time to show up on My Network Places.
2) Net view command shows no lists or shows "System error 6118 has occurred. The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available".
3) when clicking on Computers Near Me in My Network Places or workgroup name in Entire Network, the following error message may appear: "Cannot Access 'Computers Near Me' " or "Workgroup is not accessible" errors.
4) when click workgroup name under Entire Network Places, you get "Workgroup is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permission. The list server for this workgroup is not currently available."
5) Windows Explorer or My Network Places take a long time to open.
6) Event logs on servers show many master browser election messages.


Robert Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Windows, Network, Internet, VPN, Routing and How to at

http://www.ms-mvps.com

 

[STF26]

I appreciate your response. The only errors that we are receiving on the box are a 1030 Userenv followed by a 1058 Userenv. I have followed some microsoft knowledge base articles suggesting that they have something to do with DFS. I ran dfsutil /purgemupcache with no success.

I can click on entire network however the list does not include the server that I am running on.

Wierd Problem

 

[spook007]

I am having the exact same problem like STF26! I have Server 2003 Ent. and I'm able to ping to all computers on the network, I'm also able to bring their share drives by calling \\computername. When I try opening up the network places on any of the clients or BDC, I get the famous "The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available." Error. I can't get my Symantec Antivirus to work, can't find computers on the network and can't get Veritas Backup exec to work either 'cause trying to find computer on the network.

I've tried the following.

- Computer Browse is running on the PDC and BDC.
- Changed the Registry file [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Browser\Parameters\IsDomainMaster] to true on the PDC and false on the BDC.
- [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Browser\Parameters\IsDomainMaster\MaintainServerList] is true on the PDC and false on the BDC.

Any other suggestions are welcomed. Thanks!!

 

[STF26]

Hey spook007,

The Problem was caused by an excesively long computer description in the System Properties.

STF

 

[spook007]

Hmm.. do you know how long the descriptions can be. I have first and last name for the client PC's, the I have 'Application Server' and 'File Server' as the description for the servers. Thanks for the reply!

 

[STF26]

They were way longer than that.

Your issue could be DNS / WINS related. Without more info it is going to be hard to solve the problem. Your problem is different then mine because I did not get that error. The server just did not appear. What happens when you type "net view" from the command line? Are there any errors in your event viewer on the client or server? Can you post the output of the "set" command from one of your clients? Are the clients pointing to a dc for dns and wins? Just some basic questions to see if I can help you out.

 

[spook007]

Kay...

The two servers I'm running have SBS2003 (Small Business Server 2003) and Server 2003 ent. Both servers are on the same domain as well as all clients.

I am able to view all servers and computers when I type in net view on the PDC (SBS2003). When I try the same command on the other server or any client I get, 'System error 6118 has occured. The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available.' I'm able to ping any computer and map drives to any of the servers.

The PDC is acting as the DHCP, DNS and WINS server. All clients are pointed at the PDC.

I'd post you my results from the 'set' command, but can't copy and paste from the command line (at least don't know how) and it's a lot of stuff I'd have to hand type.

Thanks for helping!

 

[spook007]

I've done a lot of reading and I've come across several articles that talk about WindowsXP SP2 firewall feature and how it locks ports that don't allow it to view other members in the domain. I've gone into the group policies in in PDC and have changed it so that all clients have this firewall disabled. Nevertheless the problem persists. Anyone out there have any suggestions? How can I test if these ports are really opened?