the original problem had NOTHING to do with the protocol !!!

you can use any protocol you want as long as you get your browser settings right - but make sure you use ONE protocol - it will speed up your network!

explanation:
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to browse (see) computers in the network (workgroup or domain) you need to have a computer that saves the list of computers (a.k.a Master Browser) the way it works is that every computer is a potential browser as long as it running a server component (in win9x it's the file and printer sharing), the election process is pure broadcast (which is bad !) every computer tries to win the election process and become a master browser (I won't get into how) but the rule is the "strongest" O/S wins - the order is

Win2k Domain Controller (strongest)
WinNT Primary Domain Controller
WinNT Backup Domain Controller
Win2k Member Server / Standalone server
Winnt Member Server / Standalone server
Win2k Pro
Winnt ws
WinMe
Win98
Win95 (weakest)
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to get your network to work well in terms of master browsers you should assign one Master broswer and one backup browser and that's it !!! all the rest of the computer in your network should have the browser service disabled !!!

here how it's done:

to set up the Master browser (win2k/Winnt):
go to regedit
locate the key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\Browser\Parameters

change the values to :
IsDomainMaster "True"
Maintain ServerList "Yes"

close regedit and reboot

To set up a backup browser:

go to regedit
locate the key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\Browser\Parameters

change the values to :
IsDomainMaster "False"
Maintain ServerList "Auto"

close regedit and reboot.

to disable Browser service in Win2k
1. open control Panel and go to "administrative tools"
2. select "services"
3. select the "Computer Browser" service
and stop it - put it on "disabled" startup type.
4. reboot

to disable Browser service in Win9x
open "network" properties and select the "file and print sharing" properties

change the value of
Browse Master to "No"

close and reboot.



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Computers do exactly what you tell them to do - not exactly what you want them to do ...