Computers cannot see each other

I have a number of laptops (all WinXP-Pro) on a small private network away
from the domain server. I can only see my laptop on the network, but I can
connect via \\computername to any other laptop.

One of the laptops (say LaptopA), I've set as a master browser, and can see
all of the network from it.

How do I get the other laptops to be able to see each other as well?

I used to be able to browse the entire network from any laptop when the
LaptopA was running a DHCP service (a piece of freeware). Now the DHCP is
provided by a broadband modem - I'd rather keep the DHCP service on the
modem as it's a lot more reliable.

Thanks

Richard.

On Thu, 25 Nov 2004 10:25:30 -0000, "onetoomany" wrote:

I have a number of laptops (all WinXP-Pro) on a small private network away
from the domain server. I can only see my laptop on the network, but I can
connect via \\computername to any other laptop.

One of the laptops (say LaptopA), I've set as a master browser, and can see
all of the network from it.

How do I get the other laptops to be able to see each other as well?

I used to be able to browse the entire network from any laptop when the
LaptopA was running a DHCP service (a piece of freeware). Now the DHCP is
provided by a broadband modem - I'd rather keep the DHCP service on the
modem as it's a lot more reliable.

Thanks

Richard.

Richard,

Is LaptopA constantly available on the network? One of the problems with the
browser subsystem is that it works best when the master browser is constantly
available. There's latency too - if the master browser is not available, it can
take a while before the other computers realise that fact and elect a new master
browser.

You need a master, and a backup browser, on a network with more than 2
computers. And both master and backup browsers should be the 2 computers that
are available the most for their roles to work.

Are your computers connected wired or wirelessly? If wirelessly, you again need
to make sure that the master and backup browsers are visible to the router
(modem?) at all times.

The Microsoft Browstat program will show us what browsers you have in your
domain / workgroup, at any time.
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". Make sure all computers give the same result.

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

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

Chuck, in answer to your questions:

1. LaptopA is permenantly available
2. They are connected through a wired network

Using that prog, it looks like every PC on the network recons that it is the
master browser.

R

"Chuck" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 25 Nov 2004 10:25:30 -0000, "onetoomany"
wrote:

I have a number of laptops (all WinXP-Pro) on a small private network
away
from the domain server. I can only see my laptop on the network, but I
can
connect via \\computername to any other laptop.

One of the laptops (say LaptopA), I've set as a master browser, and can
see
all of the network from it.

How do I get the other laptops to be able to see each other as well?

I used to be able to browse the entire network from any laptop when the
LaptopA was running a DHCP service (a piece of freeware). Now the DHCP is
provided by a broadband modem - I'd rather keep the DHCP service on the
modem as it's a lot more reliable.

Thanks

Richard.

Richard,

Is LaptopA constantly available on the network? One of the problems with
the
browser subsystem is that it works best when the master browser is
constantly
available. There's latency too - if the master browser is not available,
it can
take a while before the other computers realise that fact and elect a new
master
browser.

You need a master, and a backup browser, on a network with more than 2
computers. And both master and backup browsers should be the 2 computers
that
are available the most for their roles to work.

Are your computers connected wired or wirelessly? If wirelessly, you
again need
to make sure that the master and backup browsers are visible to the router
(modem?) at all times.

The Microsoft Browstat program will show us what browsers you have in your
domain / workgroup, at any time.
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". Make sure all computers give the same
result.

For more information about the browser subsystem (very intricate), see:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188001
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188305

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro...rodspecs/ntbro
wse.mspx

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

On Thu, 25 Nov 2004 16:18:36 -0000, "onetoomany" *email_address_deleted*
wrote:

Chuck, in answer to your questions:

1. LaptopA is permenantly available
2. They are connected through a wired network

Using that prog, it looks like every PC on the network recons that it is the
master browser.

R

Richard,

The general recommendation is 1 computer with the browser running, for every 6
computers total (with a minimum of 2 computers for 3 or more total). The
browser service is very chatty, and does not need to be running on every
computer in the network.

If every computer has elected itself a master browser, though, it sounds like
you have a bigger problem.

Are you running both Client for Microsoft Networks, and File and Printer Sharing
for Microsoft Networks (Local Area Connection - Properties), on each computer?
Do you have shares setup on each?

Are you running NetBIOS Over TCP/IP (Local Area Connection - Properties - TCP/IP
- Properties - Advanced - WINS) on each computer?

Do any of the computers have a software firewall (ICF / WF, or third party)? If
so, you need to configure them for file sharing. Firewall configurations are a
very common cause of (network) browser, and file sharing, problems.

Next, look at registry key [HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa], value
restrictanonymous.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/en-us/default.asp?url=/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/en-us/regentry/46688.asp
http://www.jsifaq.com/subf/tip2600/rh2625.htm
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=246261
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=296403

The above articles refer to Windows 2000. Remember WinXP is NT V5.1, and Win2K
is NT V5.0.

Have you used the Registry Editor before? If not, it's a scary tool, but it's
pretty simple once you get used to it. Here are a couple articles that might
help:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/default.asp?url=/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/tools_regeditors.asp
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/registry

Just remember to backup the key (create a registry patch) for
[HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa] before making any changes, if
appropriate.

From the Annoyances article:
You can create a Registry patch by opening the Registry Editor, selecting a
branch, and choosing Export from the File menu. Then, specify a filename, and
press OK. You can then view the Registry patch file by opening it in Notepad
(right-click on it and select Edit). Again, just double-click on a Registry
patch file (or use Import in the Registry Editor's File menu) to apply it to the
registry.

And Richard, munging your email like that is not polite. Even Microsoft does
not deserve that treatment. Learn to munge your email address properly, to keep
yourself a bit safer when posting to open forums. Protect yourself and the rest
of the internet - read this article.
http://www.mailmsg.com/SPAM_munging.htm

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

See answers below:

Key point to note is that I could browse the network when LaptopA was
running as a DHCP server. Now, the DHCP is provided by the modem, I cannot
browse the network. There is no Microsoft Server running on the network.

R

"Chuck" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 25 Nov 2004 16:18:36 -0000, "onetoomany" *email_address_deleted*
wrote:

Chuck, in answer to your questions:

1. LaptopA is permenantly available
2. They are connected through a wired network

Using that prog, it looks like every PC on the network recons that it is
the
master browser.

R

Richard,

The general recommendation is 1 computer with the browser running, for
every 6
computers total (with a minimum of 2 computers for 3 or more total). The
browser service is very chatty, and does not need to be running on every
computer in the network.

If every computer has elected itself a master browser, though, it sounds
like
you have a bigger problem.

Are you running both Client for Microsoft Networks, and File and Printer
Sharing
for Microsoft Networks (Local Area Connection - Properties), on each
computer?
Do you have shares setup on each?

[Yes, file and printer sharing enabled. Some laptops have shares]

Are you running NetBIOS Over TCP/IP (Local Area Connection - Properties -
TCP/IP
- Properties - Advanced - WINS) on each computer?
[NetBios over TCP/IP is either Default or Enabled]

Do any of the computers have a software firewall (ICF / WF, or third
party)? If
so, you need to configure them for file sharing. Firewall configurations
are a
very common cause of (network) browser, and file sharing, problems.
[Yes firewalls are on all laptops, except LaptopA]

Next, look at registry key [HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa],
value
restrictanonymous.
[Value is 0]


http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000...fault.asp?url=
/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/en-us/regentry/46688.asp
http://www.jsifaq.com/subf/tip2600/rh2625.htm
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=246261
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=296403

The above articles refer to Windows 2000. Remember WinXP is NT V5.1, and
Win2K
is NT V5.0.

Have you used the Registry Editor before? If not, it's a scary tool, but
it's
pretty simple once you get used to it. Here are a couple articles that
might
help:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/h...efault.asp?url
=/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/tools_regeditors.asp
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/registry

Just remember to backup the key (create a registry patch) for
[HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa] before making any changes, if
appropriate.

From the Annoyances article:
You can create a Registry patch by opening the Registry Editor, selecting
a
branch, and choosing Export from the File menu. Then, specify a filename,
and
press OK. You can then view the Registry patch file by opening it in
Notepad
(right-click on it and select Edit). Again, just double-click on a
Registry
patch file (or use Import in the Registry Editor's File menu) to apply it
to the
registry.

And Richard, munging your email like that is not polite. Even Microsoft
does
not deserve that treatment. Learn to munge your email address properly,
to keep
yourself a bit safer when posting to open forums. Protect yourself and
the rest
of the internet - read this article.
http://www.mailmsg.com/SPAM_munging.htm
[Point taken]


--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

On Thu, 25 Nov 2004 17:37:07 -0000, "onetoomany" wrote:

See answers below:

Key point to note is that I could browse the network when LaptopA was
running as a DHCP server. Now, the DHCP is provided by the modem, I cannot
browse the network. There is no Microsoft Server running on the network.

R

Richard,

Without knowing what DHCP server program LaptopA was running, I can't speculate
why the current setup doesn't work as well. So let's try and diagnose your
problem.

BTW, there doesn't have to be a Microsoft Server running. All Windows computers
contain a server component, File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks.
And all Windows computers contain the browser service.

Please start by providing ipconfig information for each computer, or a
representative sample anyway (at least 3).
Start - Run - "cmd". Type "ipconfig /all c:\ipconfig.txt" into the command
window - Open c:\ipconfig.txt in Notepad, make sure that Format - Word Wrap is
NOT checked!, copy and paste entire contents into your next post. Identify
operating system (SP level) with each ipconfig listing.

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

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

Chuck,

All laptops are XPSP1 - identical builds.

LaptopA has a fixed IP address.

The IPCONFIG for laptop UK54921 is:
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit
Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-08-05-D8-DE-49
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.20
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : 26 November 2004 08:36:31
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : 29 November 2004 08:36:31

================================================== =================
Browstat for laptop UK54921:
Status for domain UK on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{3D9B8408-2CB8-4908-AECD-68CEBC6FD267}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master browser name is held by: UK54921
Master browser is running build 2600


Status for domain UK on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{916CF35E-9149-41FB-9B26-227EBEDAAF6A}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: UK54921
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master UK54921
\\UK54921
There are 1 servers in domain UK on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{916CF35E-9149-41FB-9B26-227EBEDAAF6A}
There are 1 domains in domain UK on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{916CF35E-9149-41FB-9B26-227EBEDAAF6A}

================================================== =================
For laptopA, the result is similar:
Status for domain UK on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{FE067B7F-29D1-4D84-8F70-EED1420E81CC}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: UK31028
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master UK31028
\\UK31028
There are 7 servers in domain UK on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{FE067B7F-29D1-4D84-8F70-EED1420E81CC}
There are 3 domains in domain UK on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{FE067B7F-29D1-4D84-8F70-EED1420E81CC}

================================================== =================


"Chuck" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 25 Nov 2004 17:37:07 -0000, "onetoomany"
wrote:

See answers below:

Key point to note is that I could browse the network when LaptopA was
running as a DHCP server. Now, the DHCP is provided by the modem, I
cannot
browse the network. There is no Microsoft Server running on the network.

R

Richard,

Without knowing what DHCP server program LaptopA was running, I can't
speculate
why the current setup doesn't work as well. So let's try and diagnose
your
problem.

BTW, there doesn't have to be a Microsoft Server running. All Windows
computers
contain a server component, File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft
Networks.
And all Windows computers contain the browser service.

Please start by providing ipconfig information for each computer, or a
representative sample anyway (at least 3).
Start - Run - "cmd". Type "ipconfig /all c:\ipconfig.txt" into the
command
window - Open c:\ipconfig.txt in Notepad, make sure that Format - Word
Wrap is
NOT checked!, copy and paste entire contents into your next post.
Identify
operating system (SP level) with each ipconfig listing.

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

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

On Fri, 26 Nov 2004 09:24:15 -0000, "onetoomany" wrote:

Chuck,

All laptops are XPSP1 - identical builds.

LaptopA has a fixed IP address.

The IPCONFIG for laptop UK54921 is:
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit
Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-08-05-D8-DE-49
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.20
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : 26 November 2004 08:36:31
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : 29 November 2004 08:36:31

================================================= ==================
Browstat for laptop UK54921:
Status for domain UK on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{3D9B8408-2CB8-4908-AECD-68CEBC6FD267}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master browser name is held by: UK54921
Master browser is running build 2600


Status for domain UK on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{916CF35E-9149-41FB-9B26-227EBEDAAF6A}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: UK54921
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master UK54921
\\UK54921
There are 1 servers in domain UK on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{916CF35E-9149-41FB-9B26-227EBEDAAF6A}
There are 1 domains in domain UK on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{916CF35E-9149-41FB-9B26-227EBEDAAF6A}

================================================= ==================
For laptopA, the result is similar:
Status for domain UK on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{FE067B7F-29D1-4D84-8F70-EED1420E81CC}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: UK31028
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master UK31028
\\UK31028
There are 7 servers in domain UK on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{FE067B7F-29D1-4D84-8F70-EED1420E81CC}
There are 3 domains in domain UK on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{FE067B7F-29D1-4D84-8F70-EED1420E81CC}

================================================= ==================

Richard,

This is a small start. There are 7 servers (computers) and 3 domains
(workgroups?) on your LAN?

First, what do you mean by "see all the network"? Do you mean see a computer
listed in Network Neighborhood? Are all the computers in the same workgroup?

You have provided ipconfig for 1 computer, and browstat for 2. The 2 browstats
show 2 different master browsers.

The answer to your problem is in the document:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../ntbrowse.mspx

I think the relevant things to consider about the master browser election a
- Each computer running the browser service will try to elect itself as the
master browser for the domain (workgroup).
- Any computer running the browser service will conduct an election when it
starts up, or when it cannot identify a master browser on the network.
- If a computer does not hear from any second computer (with the second
computer stating that it is (already) the master browser, or that it is more
eligible to be the master browser), it will elect itself as the master browser.

As I stated earlier, the rule of thumb is to have a minimum of 1 browser for
every 6 servers (computers sharing data) on the network (in the workgroup). Too
few, and you risk having no master browser if the existing master browser goes
offline. Too many, and all the computers spend too much time sending and
receiving master browser elections.

All computers have to be otherwise visible to each other - they have to be
physically and logically connected, and they have to have no firewalls
interfering. In many file sharing issues like this, misconfigured or forgotten
firewalls have turned out to be the cause of the problem. Please ensure that
this is NOT the case.

To start, how many computers - in total - are connected to your network? How
many different workgroups are defined by that total number of computers?

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.