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    Master Browser Conflict?

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by Locke Weltall, Sep 16, 2007.

  1. Locke Weltall

    Locke Weltall Notebook Consultant

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    Hello,

    I am on a wireless, home network. My father's PC is directly connected to the router whereas my PC, my sister's, and my brother's XB360 are connected wirelessly.

    For the duration of the summer and still going, my PC will randomly freeze. Sometimes I can have it on all night, sometimes it lasts all of five minutes. It took me awhile, but I eventually found an entry in the Event Viewer describing a "master browser conflict". What was happening, is that my father's PC and my own would be arguing over which was the Master Browser; an election was bein forced and mine would lose every time. When looked up in the Help and Support center, I would be pointed towards a Microsoft Knowledge Database or something of the sort which details different errors, symptoms, and whatnot. Apparently, there is no known fix.

    Anyone here have any ideas? The only time my PC won't freeze is if I disable &/or remove my wireless adapter.
     
    Locke Weltall, Sep 16, 2007
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  2. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    What operating systems are being used? How is the "network" configured - DHCP, static IP, mixture of the two? What wireless NIC do you have, and do you have the latest drivers?
     
    kegobeer, Sep 16, 2007
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  3. gerryf19

    gerryf19 I am the walrus

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    Start > run, type
    services.msc
    <enter>

    search for "computer browser"
    double click
    set start up type to DISABLE
    click OK
    reboot.

    Your computer will no longer attempt to be the browser master and no more elections will be forced

    I am guessing you have VISTA and dad has XP.

    When your computer comes on it is attempting to become the master browser, which distributes a copy of the network resources every 12-15 minutes.

    What more interesting is that it fails to win the election and brings your computer connection down...
     
    gerryf19, Sep 17, 2007
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  4. Locke Weltall

    Locke Weltall Notebook Consultant

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    Hmm...I'll give that a try, though I am using XP.
     
    Locke Weltall, Sep 18, 2007
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  5. gerryf19

    gerryf19 I am the walrus

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    does he also have xp?

    The master browser is determined by the most recent oeprating system (vista trumps xp, xp trumps 2000, 2000 trumps ME, Me trumps 98, etc....)

    When two computers of the same OS vie for master browser status, the winner (I believe) is the earliest MAC address.
     
    gerryf19, Sep 18, 2007
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