Troubleshooting Browsing with Client for Microsoft Networks

This article contains steps to help you troubleshoot network browsing problems in Windows 95. Browsing problems are usually indicated by trouble viewing peer servers in Network Neighborhood.

Step 1: Verify the Problem

Verify that you are having a browsing problem, not a problem with network connectivity. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button, point to Find, and then click Computer.
2. In the Named box, type
   <Computer_Name>
   where <Computer_Name> is the name of the network server you want to browse.
3. Click Find Now.

If the server is found, its name appears in the Name column and its workgroup or Windows NT domain appears in the Location column. If the computer is not found, verify that it is turned on and correctly connected to the network.

If the server is found and its location is a different workgroup than your computer's, the server will not appear in Network Neighborhood. To determine your computer's workgroup, follow these steps:

1. Use the right mouse button to click Network Neighborhood, then click Properties on the menu that appears.
2. Click the Identification tab.
3. Note the name of the workgroup displayed in the Workgroup box.

Step 2: Verify That the Correct Network Client Is Loaded

Verify that the Microsoft Client for Microsoft Networks is installed on your computer. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Use the right mouse button to click Network Neighborhood, then click Properties on the menu that appears.
2. On the Configuration tab, examine the list of installed network components and verify that the following client is installed:
   Client For Microsoft Networks

If this client is not installed, you can install it using the following steps:

1. Click Add.
2. Click Client, and then click Add.
3. Click Microsoft, click Client For Microsoft Networks, and then click OK.
4. Click OK.
5. When you are prompted to restart your computer, do so.

Step 3: Verify That File and Printer Sharing Is Installed

Verify that the File And Printer Sharing For Microsoft Networks component is installed. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Use the right mouse button to click Network Neighborhood, then click Properties on the menu that appears.
2. On the Configuration tab, examine the list of installed network components and verify that the following component is installed:
   File And Printer Sharing For Microsoft Networks

If this component is not installed, you can install it using the following steps:

1. Click the Add button.
2. Click Service, and then click Add.
3. Click Microsoft, click File And Printer Sharing For Microsoft Networks, and then click OK.
4. On the Configuration tab, click OK.
5. When you are prompted to restart your computer, do so.

After you install this service, allow up to 15 minutes for the server to appear in the browse list. To refresh the current browse list, click Refresh on the View menu.

Step 4: Verify That a Common NetBIOS Protocol Is Installed

If the server still does not appear in the browse list, verify that a common NetBIOS protocol is installed on your computer and the server. The following protocols are NetBIOS compliant:

• NetBEUI
• TCP/IP
• IPX/SPX

Step 5: Check the Master Browse Server

Verify that the master browse server is functioning correctly by typing the following command at an MS-DOS prompt where <wkgrp_name> is the name of your workgroup. If your workgroup name contains spaces, enclose the workgroup name in quotation marks. For example, if your workgroup name is My Workgroup, type the following line: This command retrieves a browse list from the master browse server. If you cannot retrieve a browse list from the master browse server, one of the following problems may exist on the network:

• A backup browse server is not functioning correctly.
• A backup browse server does not have an updated browse list. Retrieving an updated browse list can take up to 15 minutes.

NOTE: If a computer is removed from the network before the computer is logged off the network, it may take up to 51 minutes for that computer to be removed from the browse list.

Step 6: Verify That the Browse Server Is Available

If your network includes computers that are frequently powered off or removed from the network (such as mobile computers), it is a good idea to disable browse server duties on these computers. To disable browse server duties on a Windows 95-based computer, follow these steps:

1. Use the right mouse button to click Network Neighborhood, and then click Properties on the menu that appears.
2. On the Configuration tab, click the File And Printer Sharing For Microsoft Networks component, and then click Properties.
3. In the Property box, click Browse Master, and then click Disabled in the Value box.
4. Click OK.

NOTE: At least one computer in each workgroup must have the ability to become the master browse server. If browse server capability is disabled on all the computers in a network, browse functionality is disabled. A network storm will ensue as clients will be unable to locate the browse master and will force an election.

For more information about connecting to shared resources using a Dial-Up Networking connection, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: