kentcrane
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Unusual problem on mixed Windows network
I have an unusual networking problem on a mixed Windows network. I have 7 hard-wired computers on a peer-to-peer network plus 2 printers and an Apple Airport. 4 computers are Windows XP SP3 and 3 computers are Windows 7 Professional 32. I use one of the W7 computers as a server and access it from most of the others. I regularly access the server from 2 W7 computers and 2 XP computers. The problem is that each of the XP computers gets intermittent data from the server from within the program that is seeking the data. The programs are not the same on the 2 XP machines. I can see the data from Windows Explorer on the XP machines, but the programs have varying errors in reading and manipulating the data. The problem is intermittent. Usually I must reboot the W7 server to solve the problem once it has started. My router is a SonicWall. In an effort to solve the problem, I have forced the server to act as the browser master, and have completely replaced one of the XP machines and did a clean install on the OS. I have no problems with the server data when accessed by the W7 machines.
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You should only have ONE domain master browser, then a backup browser. They are defined manually by registry key entries. ONLY THOSE TWO should have the browser service enabled. So, disable all the other 'puter's browser services. That prevents them from participating in browser elections.....
Now back to the domain master and backup browser. Follow this guide:
http://www.pctools.com/guides/registry/detail/54/
Isdomainmaster (acting server only)
Maintainsserverlist (both computers)
Now back to the domain master and backup browser. Follow this guide:
http://www.pctools.com/guides/registry/detail/54/
Isdomainmaster (acting server only)
Maintainsserverlist (both computers)
ASKER
So, is this the configuration you are suggesting?:
XP 1 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
XP 2 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
XP 3 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
XP 4- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
W7 1 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
W7 2 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
W7 2 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
W7 Server
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
XP 1 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
XP 2 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
XP 3 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
XP 4- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
W7 1 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
W7 2 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
W7 2 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
W7 Server
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
Yes, that's a good config... Are you still experiencing problems?
Now, on these five, disable the browser service>>Start>>Run>>type in "Services.msc" navigate to the "computer Browser" service, then right click and stop and then disable it:
XP 1 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
XP 2 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
XP 3 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
XP 4- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
W7 1 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
Now, on these five, disable the browser service>>Start>>Run>>type in "Services.msc" navigate to the "computer Browser" service, then right click and stop and then disable it:
XP 1 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
XP 2 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
XP 3 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
XP 4- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
W7 1 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
ASKER
Chief,
I listed the configuration for the benefit of future readers of this conversation. I realized that I should have added "\Parameters" after "\Browser" in my registry string; for example it should have been:
XP1 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
I will disable the browser service in the 5 machines as you suggest and give it a few days to see if the problem persists since the error has been inconsistent in the past.
On which machine would I check the event logs for the 8000 events? The machine getting the error or the W7 server. Exactly where do I find the event logs?
I listed the configuration for the benefit of future readers of this conversation. I realized that I should have added "\Parameters" after "\Browser" in my registry string; for example it should have been:
XP1 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
I will disable the browser service in the 5 machines as you suggest and give it a few days to see if the problem persists since the error has been inconsistent in the past.
On which machine would I check the event logs for the 8000 events? The machine getting the error or the W7 server. Exactly where do I find the event logs?
ASKER
An interesting thing that I found when first pursuing this problem (and before posting my question) was that the XP machine that consistently won the master browser election had the following settings:
MaintainServerList - Auto
IsMasterBrowser - No
I was surprised to find that the IsMasterBrowser key set to "No' did not prevent the computer from being the master browser. Setting the MaintainServerList to "No" prevented the master browser selection.
MaintainServerList - Auto
IsMasterBrowser - No
I was surprised to find that the IsMasterBrowser key set to "No' did not prevent the computer from being the master browser. Setting the MaintainServerList to "No" prevented the master browser selection.
Check for 8000 events on the acting server W7 computer.
Sometimes "False" or "True" works better than No or Yes... It's suppose to accept any number of Boolean statements, but it's not always the case... If the registry key doesn't work as expected try True or False.. instead of Yes, and No.
Sometimes "False" or "True" works better than No or Yes... It's suppose to accept any number of Boolean statements, but it's not always the case... If the registry key doesn't work as expected try True or False.. instead of Yes, and No.
Nevertheless, disabling the browser service will force it NOT to participate in browser elections.
One other thing that you should know for troubleshooting>>>
Net Config Server
Net Config Workstation
Net Config Redir
These three command lines can be used to help you troubleshoot netbios...
1) Net Config Server shows you what the SERVER service is broadcasting.. This is used for browser elections between servers... So, this command line is important. Also pay attention to the type of records, 00, 1B, 1D... These record types tell you what the server is acting as and they are outlined on the following technet thread..
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc940063.aspx
2) Net Config workstation shows you what the workstation service is broadcasting
3) Net Config Redir is a command line that shows you what interface that Netbios is bound to and if SMB (server message block) is active...
One other thing that you should know for troubleshooting>>>
Net Config Server
Net Config Workstation
Net Config Redir
These three command lines can be used to help you troubleshoot netbios...
1) Net Config Server shows you what the SERVER service is broadcasting.. This is used for browser elections between servers... So, this command line is important. Also pay attention to the type of records, 00, 1B, 1D... These record types tell you what the server is acting as and they are outlined on the following technet thread..
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc940063.aspx
2) Net Config workstation shows you what the workstation service is broadcasting
3) Net Config Redir is a command line that shows you what interface that Netbios is bound to and if SMB (server message block) is active...
ASKER
Since this was an intermittent problem, I waited several days to make sure that the problem was solved. So far, so good.
ASKER
The problem has re-occurred and my master browser election is going to the server according to the settings made per the suggestions of ChiefIT. Apparently the master browser lead was a red herring. After checking the event log on the server, I found error id 2017 around the time of the problem's re-emergence. So after doing some research, I have disabled SBM 2.0 on the Windows 7 computer that is acting as server. I will post the results.
Yes, that will cause problems with computers using SMB v 1.. I think you are on the right track.
ASKER