Hi gang Regarding Windows Networking (Again, kind of off topic) A few (Ok, a lot) of words from my imperfect memory. In a windows networking environment there is a master browser and a backup browser. A machine that is booted up will try to contact the master browser and tell it that it is alive and well, every few minutes after its booted, gradually dropping to every 15 or so minutes. If it doesn't find a master browser then it becomes it. Then, Every 15 minutes (Depending on time machine was last rebooted) the master browser updates the backup browser with a list of all machines on a network. If there is no backup browser then the master browser is both. When you open network neighborhood in windows, it pulls the list of computers on the network from the backup browser. Now, that list can be up to 51 minutes old (Where that number comes from I don't remember, something about the copying of the lists), but if you can't contact the backup browser, you pull it from a local cache on your machine. To complicate matters, any machine on a network can be a master browser or backup browser, but if a machine that is higher ranked than either of the current pair is turned on, it will take over and boot the other ones down the line, Master becomes backup, backup becomes plain machine. For example a NT server or Workstation machine vs a 95 or 98 box. Overall, when you have mixed machines all over the network going up and down as your testing and rebooting and crashing, it creates total havok on these lists, and information may not come through for days. There is no solution, but some things can help. - A pair of dedicated NT servers. (Or 2000 if you want), means that they are always up and running. Not practical in a home environment - 2 machines that have your most powerfully ranked OS running all the time. OS rankings is something like WFWG, 95, 98, ME, NT Workstation, 2000 Pro, NT Server, 2000 Server, fill in any blanks where appropriate. - Turn off Master browser for all machines that are not supposed to be doing it, especially ones that are disconnected or rebooted a lot. In the Control panel under networking, change the properties for File and Printer sharing, and turn Browse Master to Disabled. In my home network there are several machines, my machine is 2000 Pro,its the master browser, there is a 98SE file server that does the backup browser work, and various 95 and 98 clients, all of which have the browse mastering disabled. This reduces the time for ghost machines to stay in network neighboorhood to between 1 and about 20 minutes. Which is not great, but better than waiting days. If anybody has any corrections to the above information, especially concerning the ordering of what machine becomes browse master, please step in and correct me, as this is all from memories, and they are pretty stale. Also, if anybody wants more info, I can dust off some of my books and pull some information. Your local library would love a visit as well. :-) Fallox On Mon, 05 Feb 2001 08:16:57 Arnie Rothenbaum wrote: >Jim, > >How right you are (regarding this post and your previous post). > >I've used STN for a couple of years now. And one thing that I've seen >from many posts (when STN wasn't with TOPICA it was easier reading older >posts), that it is always a good idea to build on a "newly formatted >blank diskette" for exactly the reasons you cite: STN leaves things on >the original disk and doesn't overwrite it. It happens with setting >changes and even drivers. > >Word of advice for all: Don't rebuild over a previously used STN >diskette - use a newly formatted blank diskette!!!!! > >And regarding Windows, it caches information and doesn't refresh, it >uses stored incorrect information and doesn't necessarily update with >newer info. Ever go to Network Neighborhood and see a server listed >that you know is shut off, and even after a refresh (couple of times) >the server is their - but you cannot connect to it when you try - >because it isn't there! I've had a server listed for days when that >machine was physically removed from our LAN. Even after rebooting the >workstation (no cache now) the phantom server is listed. Master Browser >doesn't seem to know. You would think that when a workstation can't >connect to a server Master Browser would be updated quicker. Explain? > >Just this past week, I've had a Linksys router fall off of @home cable >after working for months. @home claims they are not down. Connect a >win98 box and after a couple of reboots (not at first, mind you) it gets >in. Connect the Linksys back up and it couldn't get on. Once it stayed >on for all of 3 minutes then the party was over - couldn't get on at >all. Left the Linksys connected, but unable to get the pc's out to the >net - told client to use dial-up for now. And magically, 6 hours later >(after no reset or anything of the Linksys) - we're back on? Explain? >Recently, at this client, consistent Linksys off then on again over last >couple weeks. But was on all summer. Explain? Told client could be >cable mode or line or ? Call @home - and start with another modem. > >I think the cable side changes things (and I can't say what those things >are - only from my end life doesn't change that much - same STN, same >Linksys, same settings). And their staff doesn't know about these >issues. Goto DSLREPORTS.com and read about the headaches others have >with broadband, routers, service with DSL and Cable. We're not alone. > >Good Luck, >Arnie > > > >Jim Harris wrote: >> >> p.s. >> >> I bet if I can COMPLETELY un-install networking on my Wintel box that I >> was having troubles with - it would work like a champ! I'm sure (I've >> seen it proved) that Micro$oft allows old, stale informatio to persist >> too..... >> >> Jim >> >> Jim Harris wrote: >> > This particular "feature" of Share The Net could be the "solution" to a >> > lot of those "... but it works FINE for me" issues. You know - you're >> > having a problem - you've wracked your brain - and everyone you talk to >> > tells you that they've "-never- seen that!" >> > >> > Summary: >> > >> > If you use a STN setting, and then disable it, the information is still >> > stored in that setting - gets written to the ENVI file - and probably >> > confuses heck out of the kernel or some driver. >> > >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------ >> <*><*> Totally FREE software. Just pay shipping! <*><*> >> Click here --->> http://www.daytips.com/ads/freecd.html >> <a href="http://daytips.com/ads/freecd.html">AOL Link</a> >> >> -- >> Visit http://www.ShareTheNet.com for info about ShareTheNet >> Visit http://www.topica.com/lists/sharethenet for info about this list >> To Unsubscribe send email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> ____________________________________________________________ >> T O P I C A -- Learn More. Surf Less. >> Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Topics You Choose. >> http://www.topica.com/partner/tag01 > >--- Sponsor's Message -------------------------------------- >Who Are the Top Dogs? >Find out about the best newsletters and discussions! >http://click.topica.com/aaaa4qbz8Rp2bAnyJXc/TopDogs >------------------------------------------------------------ > >-- >Visit http://www.ShareTheNet.com for info about ShareTheNet >Visit http://www.topica.com/lists/sharethenet for info about this list >To Unsubscribe send email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >____________________________________________________________ >T O P I C A -- Learn More. Surf Less. >Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Topics You Choose. >http://www.topica.com/partner/tag01 > > Get your small business started at Lycos Small Business at http://www.lycos.com/business/mail.html --- Sponsor's Message -------------------------------------- What's the Dirt? Want to know what's up in Tinseltown? 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