THE SETUP:
2 PC network behind a Linksys router connected to the internet.
Both are running Win2K SP3 in a workgroup: HomeLAN.
Each machine has:
Client for Microsoft Networks
File and Printer Sharing
TCP/IP protocol - static IP running NetBIOS over TCP/IP (no WINS server specified)
Both can get to the internet,
THE PROBLEM:
Machine-A cannot see Machine-B (or himself) under the workgroup in Windows Explorer.
Clicking the workgroup icon returns (after a long wait):
"The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available"
Machine-A can ping machine-B but not vice versa.
FIXES THAT DID NOT WORK:
According to knowledge base article - Q285035
Ensured I was running NetBios over TCP/IP
Checked that the computer browser service was running on both machines
Rebooted both machines and waited several hours for re-election.
Verified that both machines logged on to the same workgroup.
Verified that the same userid/password is used on both machines.
Both machines are sharing files.
Verified local security policies on both machines.
Not running Zone Alarm or ICF.
Neither machine is multi-homed.
Uninstalled/Re-installed all protocols on Machine-A.
Reformatted harddrive and re-installed Win2K Sp3 on Machine-A.
Re-seated network card on Machine-A.
Linksys knowledge base - KB10934096
Linksys says to run all protocols NetBEUI, IPX/SPX. (Cop-out)
NetBEUI works but is incredibly slow.
I did not bother with the IPX/SPX protocol.
TCP/IP should work!
Machine-B works perfectly with TCP/IP across the router.
FURTHER DIGGING:
Browstat Status output on Machine-A:
Status for domain HomeLAN on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{5F491
A0D-4E97-4
62D-8E43-7
BF33E6C4D3
1}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master browser name is held by: <Machine-A>
Master browser is running build 2195
Browstat Status output on Machine-B:
Status for domain HomeLAN on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{D6AC1
54E-648D-4
F30-A9F2-1
FFFCCED52E
4}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: <Machine-B>
Master browser is running build 2195
1 backup servers retrieved from master <Machine-B>
\\<Machine-B>
There are 2 servers in domain HomeLAN on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{D6AC1
54E-648D-4
F30-A9F2-1
FFFCCED52E
4}
There are 1 domains in domain HomeLAN on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{D6AC1
54E-648D-4
F30-A9F2-1
FFFCCED52E
4}
THE QUESTION:
Why is the Machine-A invisible on Win2K workgroup?
