Can ping and search a remote computer but not browse it

If you can see or search a remote computer in mixed OS (win98, ME, NT, W2K and XP) network, this is master browser issue. You may try to use browstat.exe from NT resource kit to check the master browser status. Or stop computer browser on w2k/xp.

For consultants, refer to case 100903RL.

Can't see any or only some computers in My Network Places

Symptoms: you can map the remote computers' shared folder, but you are experiencing the following issues:
1. Can't see any or some computers in My Network Places.
2. It takes long time to show networking computers in My Network Places.
3. The networking computers show in My Network Places randomly.

Resolutions: this is likely Computer Browser issue.
1. If there is a multi-homed or RAS machine on your network becoming the browse master for the wrong subnet, disable the Computer Browser service on the computer.
2. Check any errors in Event Viewer, especially Browser error. If you have peer to peer workgroup network, you may want to disable Computer Browser services on w2k/xp.
3. If you can't disable the Computer Browser service because the compute is the PDC, you can unbind NetBIOS from one interface in network advanced settings.
4. W2K/XP may not show on the My Network Places if it doesn't use Windows Logon Passwords or has blank password.

Master Browsing issue on Multihomed DC

You may experience browsing and/or NetBIOS name resolution problems if you install a DC on multihomed server. This is because each browser service bounds to each interface operates independently and does not merge the browse list for separate networks. The master browser is confused.

One computer screw up the network

Symptoms: you have a workgroup network and most computers are win9x, NT and ME. After you add XP computer into the network, you can't browse other computers in workgroup list.

Resolutions: This is mostly like master browser issue. The simple solution is stopping Computer Browser service on the XP. To stop Computer Browser service, go to the Computer Management>Services and Applications>Services.

The browser was unable to retrieve a list of servers from the browser master

SYMPTOMS: 1) Event Viewer System log shows Event id: 8021 and Description: The browser was unable to retrieve a list of servers from the browser master <PDC> on the network \device\<protocol_netcard>. 2) Event id: 8032 and Description: The browser service has failed to retrieve the backup list too many times on transport of <protocol_netcard>.

This symptom occurs because 1) your computer is a multihomed computer or using multiple network cards in the same subnet; 2) your computer is a master browser; 3) Your computer is running the TCP/IP protocol.

Resolutions: find the failed protocol_netcard or use browstat status (from NT Resource Kit) to find the problem and the card. Then
1) Stop computer browser to prevents the computer from receiving computer browse lists from other networks.
2) Remove or disable the card.
3) Unbind it from the workstation service.
4) Uncheck Client for MS Networks on the card.
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