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Can't promote to Master Browser!!

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3 replies

by neo_plur

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error on server:

The browser was unable to retrieve a list of servers from the browser master \\computername on the network \Device\NetBT_E100B1. The data is the error code.

error on workstation(s):

The browser was unable to promote itselfto master browser. The browser will continue to attempt to promote itself to the master browser, but will no longer log any events in the event log in Event Viewer.

Scenario: Mix of Netware/NT/2000 servers, approximately 60+ NT Workstations. 3of these workstations have this error, and the same 3 have random disconnection issues. Somewhere on this site someone suggested to disable "Master Browser" in File and Print Sharing, but I can't find File and Print Sharing anywhere on Windows NT.If possible, could someone please explain how to fix this, and why it has happened only on these 3 machines? Thanks in advance.

-Donny-

3 replies

by nettek

This behavior is by design. By default, an NT PDC is the master browser. If unavailable, then it is a BDC, member server, nt/2000 workstation, Win9x, in that order. A browser election occurs under the following conditions:
1. Any time an NT serverboots, it initiates an election. Even if it finds the master browser, it says, "I want to be the master browser". It will lose this election to the PDC, unless the PDC is unavailable.
2. Any time a PC on the network boots and cannot find the masterbrowser (network to busy, server to busy), it will initiate an election. It is basically saying, "Will someone please be the master browser? If no one will, then I volunteer to be."
3. Any time a PC or server requests an update from the master browser and cannot find the master browser, and election is initiated (network to busy, server to busy).

Apparently, these particular workstations are having problems communicating with the master browser.

The election does not harm you network. However, if you would like these workstations to stop these elections, run regedit on each workstation and go to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Browser\Parameters\MaintainServerList

Set the value to "No".

by neo_plur

NetTek,

Thanks for your response.. I've tried your suggestion, it will obviously take a little while to see if it works, but you seem to know more about me on this topic so lets hope it all goes well. The thing I don't understand, is that thesesame 3 users are experiencing random network problems. Every couple of hours they just get kicked off the network, no error message, just loss of connection. This problem is the only thing linking them though. Thanks for your input, we'll see if it helps.

-Donny-

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