{workgroup}"...is not accessible" after removing NWLINK

I'm an MCSE but not familiar with XP Home /SP2 Edition.
For years I've maintained a workgroup of 98SE machines running TCP/IP quite
nicely.

I've recently added a Presario XP Home /SP Edition machine that came setup
with only NWLink.

So I added TCP/IP and set it up on the XP machine.

I got all the machines to ping each other (98SE and XP).

I established a workgroup on the XP machine with the same name of my
existing 98SE network workgroup name (tho the dialog screen only displayed
uppercase).

I created a generic folder ( called "Drivers") off the root of the XP with
some unused files in it and established sharing with no passwords on the
share and disabled the firewall for that LAN connection.

When I opened "My Network Places" on the XP machine my generic shared folder
displayed. However, the 98SE machines did not list the XP entity in Network
Neighborhood.

I borrowed a friend's laptop running XP and connected it to my switch and it
found my XP share just fine on the laptop. But I noticed the laptop was only
running NWLink, no TCP/IP.

Thinking that NWLink was crowding out my TCP/IP browsing, I removed NWLink
from my protocol list. When I did this, however, my share listing
dissappeared from the My Network Places screen.

After a long delay when opening My Network Places, I get the error message
{myworkgroupname}"...is not accessible...see...administrator...find out if
you have access permissions...". The last line reads "The list of servers
for this workgroup is not currently available."

The 98SE machines make no mention of the XP machine in Network Neighborhood.

I'm logged in as "Administrator", have assigned no share passwords (that I
know of). NOTE: this is all happening on just the XP machine. The 98SE
machines display the XP workgroup name in Network Neighborhood if I
momentarily change it to a different name to list it separate from their
workgroup name, but no folders or files are listed, of course.

When I re-install NWLink, My Network Places once again displays my share.
Of course, the 98SE machines don't see the share cause they're not running
NWLink.

How can I get my shares to display in My Network Places and, ultimately,
Network Neighborhood by using only TCP/IP and removing NWLink from my XP Home
machine? I would greatly appreciate any help?
--
E. Jerry

On Sun, 27 Mar 2005 21:57:01 -0800, "E. Jerry"
wrote:

I'm an MCSE but not familiar with XP Home /SP2 Edition.
For years I've maintained a workgroup of 98SE machines running TCP/IP quite
nicely.

I've recently added a Presario XP Home /SP Edition machine that came setup
with only NWLink.

So I added TCP/IP and set it up on the XP machine.

I got all the machines to ping each other (98SE and XP).

I established a workgroup on the XP machine with the same name of my
existing 98SE network workgroup name (tho the dialog screen only displayed
uppercase).

I created a generic folder ( called "Drivers") off the root of the XP with
some unused files in it and established sharing with no passwords on the
share and disabled the firewall for that LAN connection.

When I opened "My Network Places" on the XP machine my generic shared folder
displayed. However, the 98SE machines did not list the XP entity in Network
Neighborhood.

I borrowed a friend's laptop running XP and connected it to my switch and it
found my XP share just fine on the laptop. But I noticed the laptop was only
running NWLink, no TCP/IP.

Thinking that NWLink was crowding out my TCP/IP browsing, I removed NWLink
from my protocol list. When I did this, however, my share listing
dissappeared from the My Network Places screen.

After a long delay when opening My Network Places, I get the error message
{myworkgroupname}"...is not accessible...see...administrator...find out if
you have access permissions...". The last line reads "The list of servers
for this workgroup is not currently available."

The 98SE machines make no mention of the XP machine in Network Neighborhood.

I'm logged in as "Administrator", have assigned no share passwords (that I
know of). NOTE: this is all happening on just the XP machine. The 98SE
machines display the XP workgroup name in Network Neighborhood if I
momentarily change it to a different name to list it separate from their
workgroup name, but no folders or files are listed, of course.

When I re-install NWLink, My Network Places once again displays my share.
Of course, the 98SE machines don't see the share cause they're not running
NWLink.

How can I get my shares to display in My Network Places and, ultimately,
Network Neighborhood by using only TCP/IP and removing NWLink from my XP Home
machine? I would greatly appreciate any help?

Jerry,

Does the problem computer have names compatible with Windows 98?
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=202892
http://www.compudentsystems.com/docu...ion/win98.html

Check for a browser conflict between the WinXP computer and the Win98 computers.
The browsers for WinXP (WinNT/2K/XP) and Win98 (Win95/98/ME) don't work well
together on the same LAN.

Make sure the browser service is Stopped and Disabled on the Windows XP
computer. Then power the Windows XP computer off and on again.

The Microsoft Browstat program will show us what browsers you have in your
domain / workgroup, at any time. It runs only on Windows NT/2K/XP.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188305

You can download Browstat from either:
http://www.dynawell.com/reskit/microsoft/win2000/browstat.zip
http://rescomp.stanford.edu/staff/manual/rcc/tools/browstat.zip

Browstat is very small (40K), and needs no install. Just unzip the downloaded
file, copy browstat.exe to any folder in the Path, and run it from a command
window, by "browstat status".

For more information about the browser subsystem (very intricate), see:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188001
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188305
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=231312
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winntas/deploy/prodspecs/ntbrowse.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/win95/w95brows.mspx

Please provide browstat information for the problem computer.
Start - Run - "cmd". Type "browstat status c:\browstat.txt" into the command
window - Open Notepad, make sure that Format - Word Wrap is NOT checked!, Open
c:\browstat.txt, copy and paste into your next post.

If no help yet, please provide ipconfig information for the problem computer,
and for two Windows 98 computers, and we'll diagnose the problem.
Start - Run - "cmd" - Type "ipconfig /all c:\ipconfig.txt" into the command
window. Open Notepad, make sure that Format - Word Wrap is NOT checked!, open
file c:\ipconfig.txt, copy and paste entire contents into your next post.

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

Chuck,

I greatly appreciate your prompt reply. Admin Tools | Services | "Computer
Browser", "Server" and "Workgroup" all reported being started. I tried
stopping the browser service and rebooting. The service reported starting,
but the problem didn't change.

I'm sending you info on the XP machine and one 98 machine as you requested.
But since the problem exhibits all on the XP machine, is it hepfull to
examine the 98 machine at this time? Even the XP machine won't show it's own
shares.

Here is the info you requested and a little extra:

XP browstat:
Status for domain DOMAIN2 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{5B10E503-8B17-4B28-8A98-B975C0B91878}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus.

XP IPConfig:

Windows IP Configuration
Ethernet adapter 10 Base T:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.7
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.4
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

(NOTE: the main IP is supposed to be the ".4". I had to add a second IP
(".7") in order to ping the first IP (".4"), either from the XP machine
itself or from any other machine.

XP netstat:
Active Connections
Proto Local Address Foreign Address State
TCP Jer:echo 0.0.0.0:0 LISTENING
TCP Jer:discard 0.0.0.0:0 LISTENING
TCP Jer:daytime 0.0.0.0:0 LISTENING
TCP Jer:qotd 0.0.0.0:0 LISTENING
TCP Jer:chargen 0.0.0.0:0 LISTENING
TCP Jer:epmap 0.0.0.0:0 LISTENING
TCP Jer:microsoft-ds 0.0.0.0:0 LISTENING
TCP Jer:1025 0.0.0.0:0 LISTENING
TCP Jer:1027 0.0.0.0:0 LISTENING
TCP Jer:1039 0.0.0.0:0 LISTENING
TCP Jer:netbios-ssn 0.0.0.0:0 LISTENING
UDP Jer:echo *:*
UDP Jer:discard *:*
UDP Jer:daytime *:*
UDP Jer:qotd *:*
UDP Jer:chargen *:*
UDP Jer:microsoft-ds *:*
UDP Jer:isakmp *:*
UDP Jer:4500 *:*
UDP Jer:ntp *:*
UDP Jer:1026 *:*
UDP Jer:1900 *:*
UDP Jer:ntp *:*
UDP Jer:netbios-ns *:*
UDP Jer:netbios-dgm *:*
UDP Jer:ntp *:*
UDP Jer:1900 *:*

98 IPConfig:
Windows 98 IP Configuration
0 Ethernet adapter :
IP Address. . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . :
1 Ethernet adapter :
IP Address. . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.106
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . :

(NOTE: The first LAN is a working 10 base 2 that is temporarily ddisabled.)

98 netstat:
Active Connections
Proto Local Address Foreign Address State
TCP jerry2:1028 JERRY2:0 LISTENING
TCP jerry2:135 JERRY2:0 LISTENING
TCP jerry2:5000 JERRY2:0 LISTENING
TCP jerry2:1025 JERRY2:0 LISTENING
TCP jerry2:1027 JERRY2:0 LISTENING
TCP jerry2:1900 JERRY2:0 LISTENING
TCP jerry2:137 JERRY2:0 LISTENING
TCP jerry2:138 JERRY2:0 LISTENING
TCP jerry2:nbsession JERRY2:0 LISTENING
UDP jerry2:1900 *:*
UDP jerry2:nbname *:*
UDP jerry2:nbdatagram *:*

I would much appreciate any help you could give me. Thanx
E. Jerry

"Chuck" wrote:

On Sun, 27 Mar 2005 21:57:01 -0800, "E. Jerry"
wrote:

I'm an MCSE but not familiar with XP Home /SP2 Edition.
For years I've maintained a workgroup of 98SE machines running TCP/IP quite
nicely.

I've recently added a Presario XP Home /SP Edition machine that came setup
with only NWLink.

So I added TCP/IP and set it up on the XP machine.

I got all the machines to ping each other (98SE and XP).

I established a workgroup on the XP machine with the same name of my
existing 98SE network workgroup name (tho the dialog screen only displayed
uppercase).

I created a generic folder ( called "Drivers") off the root of the XP with
some unused files in it and established sharing with no passwords on the
share and disabled the firewall for that LAN connection.

When I opened "My Network Places" on the XP machine my generic shared folder
displayed. However, the 98SE machines did not list the XP entity in Network
Neighborhood.

I borrowed a friend's laptop running XP and connected it to my switch and it
found my XP share just fine on the laptop. But I noticed the laptop was only
running NWLink, no TCP/IP.

Thinking that NWLink was crowding out my TCP/IP browsing, I removed NWLink
from my protocol list. When I did this, however, my share listing
dissappeared from the My Network Places screen.

After a long delay when opening My Network Places, I get the error message
{myworkgroupname}"...is not accessible...see...administrator...find out if
you have access permissions...". The last line reads "The list of servers
for this workgroup is not currently available."

The 98SE machines make no mention of the XP machine in Network Neighborhood.

I'm logged in as "Administrator", have assigned no share passwords (that I
know of). NOTE: this is all happening on just the XP machine. The 98SE
machines display the XP workgroup name in Network Neighborhood if I
momentarily change it to a different name to list it separate from their
workgroup name, but no folders or files are listed, of course.

When I re-install NWLink, My Network Places once again displays my share.
Of course, the 98SE machines don't see the share cause they're not running
NWLink.

How can I get my shares to display in My Network Places and, ultimately,
Network Neighborhood by using only TCP/IP and removing NWLink from my XP Home
machine? I would greatly appreciate any help?

Jerry,

Does the problem computer have names compatible with Windows 98?
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=202892
http://www.compudentsystems.com/docu...ion/win98.html

Check for a browser conflict between the WinXP computer and the Win98 computers.
The browsers for WinXP (WinNT/2K/XP) and Win98 (Win95/98/ME) don't work well
together on the same LAN.

Make sure the browser service is Stopped and Disabled on the Windows XP
computer. Then power the Windows XP computer off and on again.

The Microsoft Browstat program will show us what browsers you have in your
domain / workgroup, at any time. It runs only on Windows NT/2K/XP.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188305

You can download Browstat from either:
http://www.dynawell.com/reskit/microsoft/win2000/browstat.zip
http://rescomp.stanford.edu/staff/manual/rcc/tools/browstat.zip

Browstat is very small (40K), and needs no install. Just unzip the downloaded
file, copy browstat.exe to any folder in the Path, and run it from a command
window, by "browstat status".

For more information about the browser subsystem (very intricate), see:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188001
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188305
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=231312
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winntas/deploy/prodspecs/ntbrowse.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/win95/w95brows.mspx

Please provide browstat information for the problem computer.
Start - Run - "cmd". Type "browstat status c:\browstat.txt" into the command
window - Open Notepad, make sure that Format - Word Wrap is NOT checked!, Open
c:\browstat.txt, copy and paste into your next post.

If no help yet, please provide ipconfig information for the problem computer,
and for two Windows 98 computers, and we'll diagnose the problem.
Start - Run - "cmd" - Type "ipconfig /all c:\ipconfig.txt" into the command
window. Open Notepad, make sure that Format - Word Wrap is NOT checked!, open
file c:\ipconfig.txt, copy and paste entire contents into your next post.

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 14:53:01 -0800, "E. Jerry"
wrote:

Chuck,

I greatly appreciate your prompt reply. Admin Tools | Services | "Computer
Browser", "Server" and "Workgroup" all reported being started. I tried
stopping the browser service and rebooting. The service reported starting,
but the problem didn't change.

I'm sending you info on the XP machine and one 98 machine as you requested.
But since the problem exhibits all on the XP machine, is it hepfull to
examine the 98 machine at this time? Even the XP machine won't show it's own
shares.

Here is the info you requested and a little extra:

SNIP

Jerry,

You have at least 2 computers. You are observing your problem from one of them,
regarding a second one. Right now, we're not certain where the problem lies.

Browsing on a LAN with both computers running Windows 95/98/ME, and Windows
NT/2K/XP, has been known for quite a while to be problematic. The first thing
you have to do is to shut off the browser on either all of the Windows NT/2K/XP,
or all of the Windows 95/98/ME, computers. If there's an additional problem,
that has to be dealt with next.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/win95/w95brows.mspx
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=246489
http://www.compudentsystems.com/documentation/win98.html

My diagnostic procedures, which do get a bit dogmatic at times, work best when
multiple cases can be examined. In your case, that involves the Windows XP
computer, and one, or preferably two, of the Windows 98 computers. A complete
IPConfig is far larger than the one you presented, too.

I gotta say too, I've not yet worked with a 10 Base T LAN, so this is a first.
And I know that the OSI layer design should make that irrelevant, but I'm
wondering whether there are any differences between 10BT and RJ-45 Ethernet that
might be of interest here. Is this Switched Ethernet, or is it classical Bus
10BT?

When did you see "The service reported starting"?? If you Disabled the service,
why did you see that at all?

Looking forward to seeing some more diagnostics (lots more). And more answers.


--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

Chuck,

In answer to your question: I see "The service reported starting" when I
reboot the XP machine. I generally reboot the machine whenever I make network
changes.

Please correct me if I’m wrong. If we could isolate a source problem down
to a single machine (say…the XP machine), wouldn’t it be easier and more
manageable to troubleshoot that way? It appears to me that the source
problem is a browse service that won’t run on the XP machine using the TCP/IP
Transport. With all other machines turned off and the XP machine running by
itself, I’m finding constant info-messages in the Event Viewer | System such
as this one:

“The browser has forced an election on network
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{5B10E503-8B17-4B28-8A98-B975C0B91878} because a master
browser was stopped.�

I temporarily reinstalled NWLink to see what would happen (remember, this is
the only condition when My Network Places ever lists anything, due to the
problem I having). When I did this, when My Network Places started listing
my shares again. The clip below is what I got from “BROWSTAT STATUS� with
NWLink installed. Notice that the browser runs for both NWLink Transports,
but still never runs for the TCP/IP Transport?

“Status for domain DOMAIN2 on transport \Device\NwlnkNb
Browsing is active on domain.
Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus. Using \\JER
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master JER
\\JER
There are 1 servers in domain DOMAIN2 on transport \Device\NwlnkNb
There are 1 domains in domain DOMAIN2 on transport \Device\NwlnkNb�


Status for domain DOMAIN2 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{5B10E503-8B17-4B28-8A98-B975C0B91878}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus.


Status for domain DOMAIN2 on transport \Device\NwlnkIpx
Browsing is active on domain.
Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus. Using \\JER
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master JER
\\JER
Unable to retrieve server list from JER: 1231

Sorry I did not read your request more closely. HERE IS THE CORRECT
“IPConfig / all� from the XP machine result:

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Jer
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter 10 Base T:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast
Ethernet NIC
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-11-2F-DA-B1-DB
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.7
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.4
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.5

When I try to uninstall the NWLink Transports, I get a refusal, stating that
NWLink is required by SAP (Server Advertising Protocol). It seems to me I
would also need SAP for TCP/IP also, but XP gives me no choice, I must
uninstall SAP before I can uninstall NWLink.

When I’m finally able to uninstall NWLink (and SAP, of course), I’m back to
where I started when I try to list in My Network Places. I get the error
message {myworkgroupname}"...is not accessible...see...administrator ...find
out if you have access permissions...". The last line reads "The list of
servers for this workgroup is not currently available."

“BROWSTAT STATUS� simply tells me the browser is not running.

by the way, I read all of the browser description sources. Quite similar
to those I studied for my MCSE, but thanks.

Any ideas?
E. Jerry


"Chuck" wrote:

On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 14:53:01 -0800, "E. Jerry"
wrote:

Chuck,

I greatly appreciate your prompt reply. Admin Tools | Services | "Computer
Browser", "Server" and "Workgroup" all reported being started. I tried
stopping the browser service and rebooting. The service reported starting,
but the problem didn't change.

I'm sending you info on the XP machine and one 98 machine as you requested.
But since the problem exhibits all on the XP machine, is it hepfull to
examine the 98 machine at this time? Even the XP machine won't show it's own
shares.

Here is the info you requested and a little extra:

SNIP

Jerry,

You have at least 2 computers. You are observing your problem from one of them,
regarding a second one. Right now, we're not certain where the problem lies.

Browsing on a LAN with both computers running Windows 95/98/ME, and Windows
NT/2K/XP, has been known for quite a while to be problematic. The first thing
you have to do is to shut off the browser on either all of the Windows NT/2K/XP,
or all of the Windows 95/98/ME, computers. If there's an additional problem,
that has to be dealt with next.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/win95/w95brows.mspx
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=246489
http://www.compudentsystems.com/documentation/win98.html

My diagnostic procedures, which do get a bit dogmatic at times, work best when
multiple cases can be examined. In your case, that involves the Windows XP
computer, and one, or preferably two, of the Windows 98 computers. A complete
IPConfig is far larger than the one you presented, too.

I gotta say too, I've not yet worked with a 10 Base T LAN, so this is a first.
And I know that the OSI layer design should make that irrelevant, but I'm
wondering whether there are any differences between 10BT and RJ-45 Ethernet that
might be of interest here. Is this Switched Ethernet, or is it classical Bus
10BT?

When did you see "The service reported starting"?? If you Disabled the service,
why did you see that at all?

Looking forward to seeing some more diagnostics (lots more). And more answers.


--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

On Sat, 2 Apr 2005 09:41:05 -0800, "E. Jerry"
wrote:

Chuck,

In answer to your question: I see "The service reported starting" when I
reboot the XP machine. I generally reboot the machine whenever I make network
changes.

Please correct me if I’m wrong. If we could isolate a source problem down
to a single machine (say…the XP machine), wouldn’t it be easier and more
manageable to troubleshoot that way? It appears to me that the source
problem is a browse service that won’t run on the XP machine using the TCP/IP
Transport. With all other machines turned off and the XP machine running by
itself, I’m finding constant info-messages in the Event Viewer | System such
as this one:

“The browser has forced an election on network
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{5B10E503-8B17-4B28-8A98-B975C0B91878} because a master
browser was stopped.”

I temporarily reinstalled NWLink to see what would happen (remember, this is
the only condition when My Network Places ever lists anything, due to the
problem I having). When I did this, when My Network Places started listing
my shares again. The clip below is what I got from “BROWSTAT STATUS” with
NWLink installed. Notice that the browser runs for both NWLink Transports,
but still never runs for the TCP/IP Transport?

“Status for domain DOMAIN2 on transport \Device\NwlnkNb
Browsing is active on domain.
Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus. Using \\JER
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master JER
\\JER
There are 1 servers in domain DOMAIN2 on transport \Device\NwlnkNb
There are 1 domains in domain DOMAIN2 on transport \Device\NwlnkNb”


Status for domain DOMAIN2 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{5B10E503-8B17-4B28-8A98-B975C0B91878}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus.


Status for domain DOMAIN2 on transport \Device\NwlnkIpx
Browsing is active on domain.
Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus. Using \\JER
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master JER
\\JER
Unable to retrieve server list from JER: 1231

Sorry I did not read your request more closely. HERE IS THE CORRECT
“IPConfig / all” from the XP machine result:

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Jer
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter 10 Base T:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast
Ethernet NIC
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-11-2F-DA-B1-DB
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.7
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.4
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.5

When I try to uninstall the NWLink Transports, I get a refusal, stating that
NWLink is required by SAP (Server Advertising Protocol). It seems to me I
would also need SAP for TCP/IP also, but XP gives me no choice, I must
uninstall SAP before I can uninstall NWLink.

When I’m finally able to uninstall NWLink (and SAP, of course), I’m back to
where I started when I try to list in My Network Places. I get the error
message {myworkgroupname}"...is not accessible...see...administrator ...find
out if you have access permissions...". The last line reads "The list of
servers for this workgroup is not currently available."

“BROWSTAT STATUS” simply tells me the browser is not running.

by the way, I read all of the browser description sources. Quite similar
to those I studied for my MCSE, but thanks.

Any ideas?
E. Jerry


"Chuck" wrote:

On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 14:53:01 -0800, "E. Jerry"
wrote:

Chuck,

I greatly appreciate your prompt reply. Admin Tools | Services | "Computer
Browser", "Server" and "Workgroup" all reported being started. I tried
stopping the browser service and rebooting. The service reported starting,
but the problem didn't change.

I'm sending you info on the XP machine and one 98 machine as you requested.
But since the problem exhibits all on the XP machine, is it hepfull to
examine the 98 machine at this time? Even the XP machine won't show it's own
shares.

Here is the info you requested and a little extra:

SNIP

Jerry,

You have at least 2 computers. You are observing your problem from one of them,
regarding a second one. Right now, we're not certain where the problem lies.

Browsing on a LAN with both computers running Windows 95/98/ME, and Windows
NT/2K/XP, has been known for quite a while to be problematic. The first thing
you have to do is to shut off the browser on either all of the Windows NT/2K/XP,
or all of the Windows 95/98/ME, computers. If there's an additional problem,
that has to be dealt with next.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/win95/w95brows.mspx
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=246489
http://www.compudentsystems.com/documentation/win98.html

My diagnostic procedures, which do get a bit dogmatic at times, work best when
multiple cases can be examined. In your case, that involves the Windows XP
computer, and one, or preferably two, of the Windows 98 computers. A complete
IPConfig is far larger than the one you presented, too.

I gotta say too, I've not yet worked with a 10 Base T LAN, so this is a first.
And I know that the OSI layer design should make that irrelevant, but I'm
wondering whether there are any differences between 10BT and RJ-45 Ethernet that
might be of interest here. Is this Switched Ethernet, or is it classical Bus
10BT?

When did you see "The service reported starting"?? If you Disabled the service,
why did you see that at all?

Looking forward to seeing some more diagnostics (lots more). And more answers.


Jerry,

The browser, and file sharing, are processes which involve two or more
computers. Many times, the cause of a problem may be another computer, other
than the one on which you see the symptoms. It's a lot simpler to diagnose a
problem when you have diagnostics for all possible participants in the problem.

The browser is a real fun thing to work with. If you want to get an idea why it
can cause inconsistent symptoms (problems on just some computers, some of the
time), please read my reply to Bob S in a thread "Got TCP/IP connection, but no
file sharing!?" 3/30. That will soon be a webpage, but now its just a group
post.

Installation of IPX/SPX or NetBEUI serves as a workaround when the problem is
related to the TCP/IP on the LAN (maybe a firewall misconfigured). If you have
physical connectivity issues, or if file sharing is not set up properly on one
or more computers, adding IPX/SPX or NetBEUI will not help. And if you don't
setup IPX/SPX or NetBEUI properly, it will simply hamper diagnosing the actual
problem.

Windows networking is built around TCP/IP, and uses NetBIOS Over TCP/IP as an
interface to file and printer sharing.

If there's a problem with TCP/IP, or with NBT, IPX/SPX or NetBEUI may provide a
workaround. But it will also add needless complexity, and may cause long term
stability problems.

If the problem being experienced is caused by authentication / authorisation,
IPX/SPX or NetBEUI won't resolve anything.

Fix the problem. Don't add to it.

Here are a couple good articles on the subject (remember, WinXP is WinNT V5.1):
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=128233
http://www.networkmagazine.com/article/NMG20000517S0009
http://www.ultratech-llc.com/BrainWave/TechDocs/Resolution.html

To start, you need to eliminate excess protocols from the list of items under
Local Area Connection Properties. You only need the following items in the
list, on each computer:
Client for Microsoft Networks
File and Printer Sharing For Microsoft Networks
QoS Packet Scheduler (optional)
Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

Then, make sure that NetBIOS Over TCP/IP is enabled on each computer. Local
Area Connection - Properties - TCP/IP - Properties - Advanced - WINS - Enable
NetBIOS over TCP/IP.

You specifically don't require IPX/SPX or NetBEUI.

So please start by removing NWLink IPX/SPX from all computers. Power all
computers off. When all computers are powered off, power on the one which
should be the master browser, then all the others. Run browstat and ipconfig on
each computer, and post here. Then don't change or reboot anything, lest some
settings change, and interfere with the diagnosis.

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

Chuck,
Sorry if I misled you. I definitely don’t want NWLink and haven’t used it
since posting my first thread. I only used it last time to contrast the
change in Browstat. Note that the Computer Browser runs with NWLink, but not
with TCP/IP.

I have uninstalled NWLink and am back to my original configuration. I tried
to follow your instructions meticulously, including the “HKLM…Lsa� entry for
“restrictanonymous REG_DWORD 0x00000000 (0)� as you suggested to Tootsje on
3/29.
The connection properties only contain:
Client for Microsoft Networks
File and Printer Sharing For Microsoft Networks
QoS Packet Scheduler (optional)
Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

“NetBIOS Over TCP/IP� was not enabled but now it is.
I restarted all computers in the order you directed and took another
Browstat reading. Same thing; “Browstat status� says:
“Status for domain DOMAIN2 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{5B10E503-8B17-4B28-8A98-B975C0B91878}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus.�

the Service says the Computer Browser started,

Event View | System reports:
“The browser has forced an election on network \Device\NetBT_
Tcpip_{5B10E503-8B17-4B28-8A98-B975C0B91878} because a master browser was
stopped.�

Wouldn’t it be simpler to just work with the one computer, keeping all
others off. Should the XP machine not show its own shares in My Network
Places, even if all by itself?

For some reason, the Computer Browser seems to keep stopping at the get-go.

I really do appreciate you help,

E. Jerry


"Chuck" wrote:

On Sat, 2 Apr 2005 09:41:05 -0800, "E. Jerry"
wrote:

Chuck,

In answer to your question: I see "The service reported starting" when I
reboot the XP machine. I generally reboot the machine whenever I make network
changes.

Please correct me if I’m wrong. If we could isolate a source problem down
to a single machine (say…the XP machine), wouldn’t it be easier and more
manageable to troubleshoot that way? It appears to me that the source
problem is a browse service that won’t run on the XP machine using the TCP/IP
Transport. With all other machines turned off and the XP machine running by
itself, I’m finding constant info-messages in the Event Viewer | System such
as this one:

“The browser has forced an election on network
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{5B10E503-8B17-4B28-8A98-B975C0B91878} because a master
browser was stopped.�

I temporarily reinstalled NWLink to see what would happen (remember, this is
the only condition when My Network Places ever lists anything, due to the
problem I having). When I did this, when My Network Places started listing
my shares again. The clip below is what I got from “BROWSTAT STATUS� with
NWLink installed. Notice that the browser runs for both NWLink Transports,
but still never runs for the TCP/IP Transport?

“Status for domain DOMAIN2 on transport \Device\NwlnkNb
Browsing is active on domain.
Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus. Using \\JER
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master JER
\\JER
There are 1 servers in domain DOMAIN2 on transport \Device\NwlnkNb
There are 1 domains in domain DOMAIN2 on transport \Device\NwlnkNb�


Status for domain DOMAIN2 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{5B10E503-8B17-4B28-8A98-B975C0B91878}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus.


Status for domain DOMAIN2 on transport \Device\NwlnkIpx
Browsing is active on domain.
Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus. Using \\JER
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master JER
\\JER
Unable to retrieve server list from JER: 1231

Sorry I did not read your request more closely. HERE IS THE CORRECT
“IPConfig / all� from the XP machine result:

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Jer
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter 10 Base T:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast
Ethernet NIC
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-11-2F-DA-B1-DB
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.7
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.4
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.5

When I try to uninstall the NWLink Transports, I get a refusal, stating that
NWLink is required by SAP (Server Advertising Protocol). It seems to me I
would also need SAP for TCP/IP also, but XP gives me no choice, I must
uninstall SAP before I can uninstall NWLink.

When I’m finally able to uninstall NWLink (and SAP, of course), I’m back to
where I started when I try to list in My Network Places. I get the error
message {myworkgroupname}"...is not accessible...see...administrator ...find
out if you have access permissions...". The last line reads "The list of
servers for this workgroup is not currently available."

“BROWSTAT STATUS� simply tells me the browser is not running.

by the way, I read all of the browser description sources. Quite similar
to those I studied for my MCSE, but thanks.

Any ideas?
E. Jerry


"Chuck" wrote:

On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 14:53:01 -0800, "E. Jerry"
wrote:

Chuck,

I greatly appreciate your prompt reply. Admin Tools | Services | "Computer
Browser", "Server" and "Workgroup" all reported being started. I tried
stopping the browser service and rebooting. The service reported starting,
but the problem didn't change.

I'm sending you info on the XP machine and one 98 machine as you requested.
But since the problem exhibits all on the XP machine, is it hepfull to
examine the 98 machine at this time? Even the XP machine won't show it's own
shares.

Here is the info you requested and a little extra:

SNIP

Jerry,

You have at least 2 computers. You are observing your problem from one of them,
regarding a second one. Right now, we're not certain where the problem lies.

Browsing on a LAN with both computers running Windows 95/98/ME, and Windows
NT/2K/XP, has been known for quite a while to be problematic. The first thing
you have to do is to shut off the browser on either all of the Windows NT/2K/XP,
or all of the Windows 95/98/ME, computers. If there's an additional problem,
that has to be dealt with next.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/win95/w95brows.mspx
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=246489
http://www.compudentsystems.com/documentation/win98.html

My diagnostic procedures, which do get a bit dogmatic at times, work best when
multiple cases can be examined. In your case, that involves the Windows XP
computer, and one, or preferably two, of the Windows 98 computers. A complete
IPConfig is far larger than the one you presented, too.

I gotta say too, I've not yet worked with a 10 Base T LAN, so this is a first.
And I know that the OSI layer design should make that irrelevant, but I'm
wondering whether there are any differences between 10BT and RJ-45 Ethernet that
might be of interest here. Is this Switched Ethernet, or is it classical Bus
10BT?

When did you see "The service reported starting"?? If you Disabled the service,
why did you see that at all?

Looking forward to seeing some more diagnostics (lots more). And more answers.


Jerry,

The browser, and file sharing, are processes which involve two or more
computers. Many times, the cause of a problem may be another computer, other
than the one on which you see the symptoms. It's a lot simpler to diagnose a
problem when you have diagnostics for all possible participants in the problem.

The browser is a real fun thing to work with. If you want to get an idea why it
can cause inconsistent symptoms (problems on just some computers, some of the
time), please read my reply to Bob S in a thread "Got TCP/IP connection, but no
file sharing!?" 3/30. That will soon be a webpage, but now its just a group
post.

Installation of IPX/SPX or NetBEUI serves as a workaround when the problem is
related to the TCP/IP on the LAN (maybe a firewall misconfigured). If you have
physical connectivity issues, or if file sharing is not set up properly on one
or more computers, adding IPX/SPX or NetBEUI will not help. And if you don't
setup IPX/SPX or NetBEUI properly, it will simply hamper diagnosing the actual
problem.

Windows networking is built around TCP/IP, and uses NetBIOS Over TCP/IP as an
interface to file and printer sharing.

If there's a problem with TCP/IP, or with NBT, IPX/SPX or NetBEUI may provide a
workaround. But it will also add needless complexity, and may cause long term
stability problems.

If the problem being experienced is caused by authentication / authorisation,
IPX/SPX or NetBEUI won't resolve anything.

Fix the problem. Don't add to it.

Here are a couple good articles on the subject (remember, WinXP is WinNT V5.1):
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=128233
http://www.networkmagazine.com/article/NMG20000517S0009
http://www.ultratech-llc.com/BrainWave/TechDocs/Resolution.html

To start, you need to eliminate excess protocols from the list of items under
Local Area Connection Properties. You only need the following items in the
list, on each computer:
Client for Microsoft Networks
File and Printer Sharing For Microsoft Networks
QoS Packet Scheduler (optional)
Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

Then, make sure that NetBIOS Over TCP/IP is enabled on each computer. Local
Area Connection - Properties - TCP/IP - Properties - Advanced - WINS - Enable
NetBIOS over TCP/IP.

You specifically don't require IPX/SPX or NetBEUI.

So please start by removing NWLink IPX/SPX from all computers. Power all
computers off. When all computers are powered off, power on the one which
should be the master browser, then all the others. Run browstat and ipconfig on
each computer, and post here. Then don't change or reboot anything, lest some
settings change, and interfere with the diagnosis.

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

On Mon, 4 Apr 2005 15:13:03 -0700, "E. Jerry"
wrote:


Chuck,
Sorry if I misled you. I definitely don’t want NWLink and haven’t used it
since posting my first thread. I only used it last time to contrast the
change in Browstat. Note that the Computer Browser runs with NWLink, but not
with TCP/IP.

I have uninstalled NWLink and am back to my original configuration. I tried
to follow your instructions meticulously, including the “HKLM…Lsa” entry for
“restrictanonymous REG_DWORD 0x00000000 (0)” as you suggested to Tootsje on
3/29.
The connection properties only contain:
Client for Microsoft Networks
File and Printer Sharing For Microsoft Networks
QoS Packet Scheduler (optional)
Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

“NetBIOS Over TCP/IP” was not enabled but now it is.
I restarted all computers in the order you directed and took another
Browstat reading. Same thing; “Browstat status” says:
“Status for domain DOMAIN2 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{5B10E503-8B17-4B28-8A98-B975C0B91878}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus.”

the Service says the Computer Browser started,

Event View | System reports:
“The browser has forced an election on network \Device\NetBT_
Tcpip_{5B10E503-8B17-4B28-8A98-B975C0B91878} because a master browser was
stopped.”

Wouldn’t it be simpler to just work with the one computer, keeping all
others off. Should the XP machine not show its own shares in My Network
Places, even if all by itself?

For some reason, the Computer Browser seems to keep stopping at the get-go.

I really do appreciate you help,

E. Jerry

Jerry,

If you can identify the one computer that should be running the browser service,
and that's the XP computer, then you're right you do need to start there. Now
that we've gotten the distraction of IPX/SPX out of the way, anyway.

So is the browser running on the XP computer? Is that the browstat output?

Generally, if a computer can't see itself in Network Neighborhood, either the
browser is running on another computer (and there are other problems with the
network), or the browser isn't running at all. Do all computers report
"Browsing is NOT active on domain"? That's why it's good to examine output from
all computers simultaneously.

If the XP computer was started first, you have the browser service Enabled and
Started on it, and it's browstat is reporting "Browsing is NOT active on
domain", then you do indeed have a problem. Is the service actually running?
Check the dependencies for the browser service - are all the services that the
browser service depends upon, running?

Or is it possible that another computer has the browser running - one that uses
IPX/SPX/NetBEUI (Which NWLink product did you remove?) - that was the browser
that was providing services to the XP computer?

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.