My Workgroup not accessible

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I recently lost access via My Network Places to my local workgroup. I get an
access denied... . I can access my workgroup resources by using the IP/UNC
but I cannot browse to it and even my own computer does not show up in the
workgroup. When I query the network I find that it thinks my master browser
is a system that is not in my workgroup and is not on this segment. How do I
delete this master browser and set up one of the systems that is on the
segment and in the workgroup?
 
I recently lost access via My Network Places to my local workgroup. I get an
access denied... . I can access my workgroup resources by using the IP/UNC
but I cannot browse to it and even my own computer does not show up in the
workgroup. When I query the network I find that it thinks my master browser
is a system that is not in my workgroup and is not on this segment. How do I
delete this master browser and set up one of the systems that is on the
segment and in the workgroup?
Click to expand...

Rob,

Are all of your computers in the same workgroup (unique to you)? Do all of your
computers have the same protocols and transports?
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/fix-network-problems-but-clean-up.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/fix-network-problems-but-clean-up.html

And check personal firewalls, and the NetBT setting - make sure that it's
identical on all computers.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/07/advanced-windows-networking-using.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/07/advanced-windows-networking-using.html

Then look at "browstat status" and "ipconfig /all" from each computer, and
diagnose the problem. Read this article, and linked articles, and follow
instructions precisely (download browstat!):
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp
 
Yes, to both questions. Strange thing is that none of the workstations show
up in the workgroup even when you try to view it at that workstation. All I
get is a "workgroup not accessible.... You may not have permission..." error
message. However if I create a new workgroup name it all works.
 
Yes, to both questions. Strange thing is that none of the workstations show
up in the workgroup even when you try to view it at that workstation. All I
get is a "workgroup not accessible.... You may not have permission..." error
message. However if I create a new workgroup name it all works.
Click to expand...

If you have a segmented browse domain (ie a subnet with 2 master browsers, each
one setup for the same workgroup), neither will see the other. If you put them
on different workgroups, each will see the other workgroup.

I'll bet you have a master browser conflict.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/04/nt-browser-or-why-cant-i-always-see.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/04/nt-browser-or-why-cant-i-always-see.html

Diagnose the problem, using the last link in my previous post.
 
The network checks all come up fine with the exception of browstat. Here is
the output:

Status for domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{74986B54-1BEA-451E-A2E2-588E10E07E32}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: VRMSSERVER
Could not connect to registry, error = 53 Unable to determine build
of browser master: 53
Unable to determine server information for browser master: 58
1 backup servers retrieved from master VRMSSERVER
\\VRMSSERVER
Unable to retrieve server list from VRMSSERVER: 58

The VRMSSERVER it refers to is on a separate segment and does not (and never
did) belong in the "WORKGROUP" workgroup. Is there a command that I can run
that will remove it from the list of browsers?
 
The network checks all come up fine with the exception of browstat. Here is
the output:

Status for domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{74986B54-1BEA-451E-A2E2-588E10E07E32}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: VRMSSERVER
Could not connect to registry, error = 53 Unable to determine build
of browser master: 53
Unable to determine server information for browser master: 58
1 backup servers retrieved from master VRMSSERVER
\\VRMSSERVER
Unable to retrieve server list from VRMSSERVER: 58

The VRMSSERVER it refers to is on a separate segment and does not (and never
did) belong in the "WORKGROUP" workgroup. Is there a command that I can run
that will remove it from the list of browsers?
Click to expand...

Rob,

The browser list is built dynamically, broadcasting the workgroup name.

Have you restarted this computer, since it first selected your mysterious server
as its master browser? Have you connected this computer elsewhere at any time?

Has the mysterious server been restarted? Do other computers (on this segment,
or the other) use that server as master browser?

Can we please see "browstat status" from another computer on this segment, then
one or two from the other segment?
 
All the other workgroup computers come up with the exact same message. The
systems in the other workgroup segment come up with the same error but names
another system as the master browser. However, they can see the rest of the
network except for "workgroup"
 
All the other workgroup computers come up with the exact same message. The
systems in the other workgroup segment come up with the same error but names
another system as the master browser. However, they can see the rest of the
network except for "workgroup"
Click to expand...

Well, your immediate problem (but probably not the only problem) is the master
browser conflict. I've given you lots of reading, if you follow the links in
the cited articles, you'll find an answer there somewhere. Or at least know
what questions to ask next.

Or I could look at "browstat status" in quantity, and probably narrow down what
you need to look for. IF you care to post it.

But your third hand description doesn't help me. Does it help you?

What do you want to do now?
 
Don't know what you mean by 3rd hand description as I am the front line guy
however I want to thank you for your input. I managed to locate the system
that thought it was the master browser and a reset resolved the issue of not
being able to view the workgroup computers. I am still confused as to why,
when I have elected one specific system to be the master browser (and all
other systems in the workgroup are set to "FALSE"), some other computer will
randomly elect itself the master browser.
 
Don't know what you mean by 3rd hand description as I am the front line guy
however I want to thank you for your input. I managed to locate the system
that thought it was the master browser and a reset resolved the issue of not
being able to view the workgroup computers. I am still confused as to why,
when I have elected one specific system to be the master browser (and all
other systems in the workgroup are set to "FALSE"), some other computer will
randomly elect itself the master browser.
Click to expand...

Did you turn off the browser service? If not, any computer running the browser
service, if it can't contact the master browser, can elect itself the master
browser.

With a domain, you have a domain controller. The domain controller accepts the
offer from any computer running the browser to run as a backup server (or not,
depending upon number of computers). With a workgroup, it's pretty much like
your problem - if you don't turn the browser off, you'll have browsers that you
don't expect.

You have to tune your browser infrastructure carefully.
 
Protocols ???? Transports ????... More Gobbledegook!!.. ENGLISH would be
nice??.. And perhaps it would help if it was explained a little more clearly
for th 98% of NON BOFFINS out here... Microcrap XP is difficult enough to
navigate never mind understand and this type of assistance really does not
help at all.. just makes things more difficult to understand!.... John :O(
 
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