Microsoft KB Archive/843517

= A workstation may become the master browser instead of a Windows Server 2003-based member server =

Article ID: 843517

Article Last Modified on 7/24/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition

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SYMPTOMS
A computer that provides a workstation role, such as a computer that is running Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional or Microsoft Windows XP Professional, may become the master browser for the Computer Browser service. This behavior may not be what you want if you want a computer that is a member server to be the master browser.



CAUSE
This behavior occurs because workstation computers and member servers have an equal chance to become the master browser during the browser election process. The browser election process determines the master browser for the network segment.

For additional information about the Computer Browser service, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

188001 Description of the Microsoft Computer Browser service

Note By default, Windows-based servers that are domain controllers receive preference to become the master browser during a browser election.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this behavior and to give Windows Server 2003-based member servers preference to become the master browser during a browser election, install the following update.

Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

Note If additional issues occur or any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Prerequisites
No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement
You must restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information
This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information
The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003
 Date        Time   Version            Size    File name --  20-Jul-2004  02:20  5.2.3790.194      395,264  Mrxsmb.sys 20-Jul-2004 02:20  5.2.3790.194      158,208  Rdbss.sys

Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Edition
 Date        Time   Version            Size    File name --  20-Jul-2004  02:20  5.2.3790.194    1,123,328  Mrxsmb.sys 20-Jul-2004 02:20  5.2.3790.194      464,896  Rdbss.sys



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
To determine which computer is the master browser, type the following command at a command prompt on your Windows-based server, and then press ENTER:

browstat status

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Keywords: kbqfe kbhotfixserver kbbug kbfix kbwinserv2003presp1fix KB843517

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