Unable to list computers

[gulducat]

Since I installed Hyena 8.8 on Win7, I frequently receive an error stating "Unable to list computers: This function requires the Browser service. The parameter is incorrect." when trying to list Servers, Domain Controllers or Computers in any of our domains. I launch Hyena as admin, but I still get this error. Sometimes I will get a partial listing of servers in one of our domains, but it seems like I never get a full listing. Any ideas?

[cmccullough]

Re: Unable to list computers

The only time you should see that message is on the Servers folder, so verify that. This folder has to depend on the Windows Browse List to get the list of servers. The other folders come directly from AD.

The first thing to check when you get that message is that you do in fact have the Computer Browser service running on your computer.

Partial lists in the Servers folder indicates that the missing servers aren't on your Browse List for some reason. It could be that they have the service stopped, but can also be caused by network layout, etc. We've also see that as 2008 domain controllers are added there are problems because they have the service stopped by default. Start the computer browser service on any 2008 controllers as well.

[gulducat]

Re: Unable to list computers

The computer browser service is running on my local machine, but we have 2008 DC's, so I'll look into getting the service started. Thanks!

[Guest]

Re: Unable to list computers

I have a management PC that has started doing the same thing just the end of last week. Have 2 DC running Server 2008, workstation is running Windows 7 64 bit. This workstation has been working until last week. The browser service is running on both DC's and this workstation. Any other suggestions?

Thanks

[cmccullough]

Re: Unable to list computers

Keep in mind that browsing on a network is not a static situation, there are many computers coming online, going offline, network changes such as new IP ranges, new routers or firewalls being introduced, new VLANs, etc.

Hyena is simply displaying what is being returned from Windows.

It is possible something else has changed on your network, but for further ideas you can search for Windows Browser troubleshooting or something similar. This article gives instructions on using a utility to troubleshoot:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/188305

[cmccullough]

Re: Unable to list computers

Also, if the browsing issues can't be resolved you may need to use a different method of viewing your servers in Hyena, such as:

Navigating through Container/OUs to the particular OU containing your servers.

You can find your servers in the Computers folder (because that is a list of all computer accounts) by right-clicking on the Computers folder and choosing Query Active Directory->Computer(Detailed). When that displays you can filter on the OS column.

[Guest]

Re: Unable to list computers

Thanks for info...I found a
XP machine that was trying to be the browse master. Have gone in and made sure the DC's now are always the Browse Masters.

[kstanush]

Re: Unable to list computers

What tool or technique did you use to find the computer that was having a browser role that you didn't want ? Hyena has a way to do this, but its not easily accessible, so I was curious what you used.