computer browser

Computer Browser - How to

How to check Browser status
How can I check my Master Browsers
How do I know I have a browser problem
How to disable Master Browser in XP, 9X, W2k
How to fix browsing problem in a mixed OS workgroup
How to force a computer to announce itself to a Master Browser
How to start/stop Master Browser on Win2K/XP
How to disable servers from becoming browser servers
How to disable the Computer Browser Service on all Windows clients and servers
How to enable servers becoming browser servers
How to Speed up Computer Browsing

How to check Browser status

To determined the failed protocol_netcard and check the working status of the Browser service on all installed protocols, you can use a tool comes with the Windows NT resource kit program Browstat.exe or Browmon.exe (for domain). At a command prompt, type the following command: browstat status or just browser to see the lists.

How can I check my Master Browsers?

The resource kit has a utility BROWSTAT.EXE which allows status of the browse service to be ascertained. To do this, usecommand browstat status <domain> or browstat stats \\<server>.Too many browsers or no master browser may bring problems to your network.

How do I know I have a browser problem

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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.

Disable Master Browser in XP, 9X, W2k:

Change master browser in w2k or XP:
Go to Program files, Admin tools, services then in the right panel right click on computer browser and right click go to properties then from the startup list select Disabled. Or type regedt32, and scroll to this key change value to False
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Browser\Parameters IsDomainMaster=FALSE

Change master browser in 9X:
From network neighborhood properties select File & print sharing, select and click properties then select "Master Browser" from the right list and choose disabled from the left list.

How to start/stop Computer Browser on Win2K/XP

To start/stop Master Browser on Win2K/XP, go to Administrative Tools>Services, start/stop the Computer Browser. You setup start automatically, select Administrative tools, Services, and change the Start setting for Computer Browsing to Automatic. You can then reboot the computer or start the service manually by clicking on the Start button.

How to disable servers from becoming browser servers

As we mentioned, all domain controllers must be singlehomed for browsing to operate correctly. All domain controllers in a domain are by default browser servers. To disable multihomed Windows NT servers from becoming browser servers: 1) go to click Administrative Tools>Services>the Properties of Computer Browser, and then click Manual. 2) Use Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe) to edit the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Browser\Parameters\MaintainServerList and change the value of this key to false NT and in Win 2000, instead of the value false, use the value, no. NOTE: The registry settings in this article do not work on a Windows 2000 DC if it is the PDC emulator.

How to disable the Computer Browser Service on all Windows clients and servers

To disable the Computer Browser Service on all Windows clients and servers, you may need to create three batch files that will include Netdom.exe, Nnetsvc.exe and Rreg.exe.

How to enable servers becoming browser servers

To encourage singlehomed computers to become the browser servers, open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Browser\Parameters\IsDomainMaster and change the value of this key to yes, quit Registry Editor, and then restart your computer. NOTE: The registry settings in this article do not work on a Windows 2000 DC if it is the PDC emulator.