Windows

heres a link to article 188001 which describes the basic browse capabilities in Windows.

note: In a W2K domain network, if one pc operates outside of the network but use the network infrastructure, it will force an election on the master browser in the domain. the article above gives the basics on browsing for resources.

Most machines in the NT family will force elections when they boot up on a network.

It's easy to fix tho.
Go to
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Browser\Parameters.
Set the IsDomainMaster key to FALSE.

Had to do this on a great number of machines. It doesn't hurt anything to leave the setting but it will force extra traffic whenever these machines boot up.

probably can not find a master browser at boot time. A client computer can?t locate a master browser or backup browser after three consecutive requests or when a domain controller is turned on. The client might be unable to find a master or backup browser for any one of a number of reasons, including network problems, hardware failures, or simply because the computer is booting up.
A backup browser attempts to update its network resource list and can?t locate the master browser. An NT Server that was acting as master browser may have been powered down with no other servers available to take on the role of master browser.
A computer that has been designated a preferred master browser comes on line.

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