samba - Dec 2010 - Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba Properly

Hi everyone, new to the list.
 
My apologies if this issue has already been covered, but I am having the
following problem with Samba:
 
Using Windows XP as a client, I am trying to see a Solaris system as a
server.  Solaris is running Samba 2.4.2, and Windows 2000 sees it as a
server without any problems.
 
Windows XP, however, generates the error "The network name is no longer
available" when trying to browse to shares on the Solaris box.  Browsing
is what produces the error - otherwise, I can map to and access
resources directly with "\\servername\share".
 
Running the command "browstat status" on the WinXP box shows that the
Windows machine is not able to pull the server list from the Solaris
box.  Again, Windows 2000, however, works fine and does not have this
problem.
 
Desperate for help to get this resolved.

My apologies, it's Samba 3.4.2 that I'm running on Solaris.



-----Original Message-----
From: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC 
Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 11:39 AM
To: 'samba at lists.samba.org'
Subject: Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba Properly

Hi everyone, new to the list.
 
My apologies if this issue has already been covered, but I am having the
following problem with Samba:
 
Using Windows XP as a client, I am trying to see a Solaris system as a
server.  Solaris is running Samba 2.4.2, and Windows 2000 sees it as a
server without any problems.
 
Windows XP, however, generates the error "The network name is no longer
available" when trying to browse to shares on the Solaris box.  Browsing
is what produces the error - otherwise, I can map to and access
resources directly with "\\servername\share".
 
Running the command "browstat status" on the WinXP box shows that the
Windows machine is not able to pull the server list from the Solaris
box.  Again, Windows 2000, however, works fine and does not have this
problem.
 
Desperate for help to get this resolved.

On Tue, Dec 28, 2010 at 1:39 PM, Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520
SMXS/MXDEC <robert.hodges.ctr at hill.af.mil>
wrote:
> Hi everyone, new to the list.
>
> My apologies if this issue has already been covered, but I am having the
> following problem with Samba:
>
> Using Windows XP as a client, I am trying to see a Solaris system as a
> server. ?Solaris is running Samba 2.4.2, and Windows 2000 sees it as a
> server without any problems.
>
> Windows XP, however, generates the error "The network name is no
longer
> available" when trying to browse to shares on the Solaris box.
?Browsing
> is what produces the error - otherwise, I can map to and access
> resources directly with "\\servername\share".
>
> Running the command "browstat status" on the WinXP box shows that
the
> Windows machine is not able to pull the server list from the Solaris
> box. ?Again, Windows 2000, however, works fine and does not have this
> problem.
>
> Desperate for help to get this resolved.
Did you enable WINS on the samba server and set that up on the XP box?
Usually that fixes a lot of windows browsing problems.

John

>
> Excellent information, thank you.
>
> Unfortunately, none of it solved my problem.
Start sniffing the machine as you do a "Network Neighborhood" search.
You might also check and see just where and how lookups are being done 
for NETBios from an XP box command terminal

nbtstat -r

which will tell you how lookups are being done.  Might lead you to a 
culprit.
>
>
>
> I see a lot of "The specified network name is no longer
available"
> error messages all over the internet from Linux users, and none of the 
> very few solutions I have come across have worked for me.
>
> Anybody else able to chime in and take a guess as why my XP box is 
> having a problem talking to my Solaris/Samba box?  Again, Win2K has no 
> problems talking to the Samba box - it's just XP.
>
> Refresh:  This error happens when you try to browse using "My Network 
> Places" in the desktop.  Mapping works fine, access works fine.  
> Browsing is what fails in XP.  I need this to work or I'm looking at a 
> huge and expensive documentation change effort that few would 
> understand.
>
> Still desperate for help on this.  This problem happens with WinXP 
> right out of the box, we have nothing weird installed.
>
> Help!
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chris Smith [mailto:smb_77 at chrissmith.org]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 12:45 PM
> To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
> Cc: John Drescher; samba at lists.samba.org
> Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba 
> Properly
>
> On Tue, Dec 28, 2010 at 2:23 PM, Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520
> SMXS/MXDEC <robert.hodges.ctr at hill.af.mil> wrote:
>>
>> Other details:  I do not use a DNS server, I use the hosts file in XP.
>
> Yes, but NetBIOS desires the lmhosts file. See my ancient (but still
> valid) scribblings here:
> http://realcomputerguy.com/networksetup.htm#hosts
>
> Chris
> --
> To unsubscribe from this list go to the following URL and read the
> instructions: https://lists.samba.org/mailman/options/samba

On Tue, Dec 28, 2010 at 10:12 PM, John Drescher <drescherjm at gmail.com>
wrote:
> On Tue, Dec 28, 2010 at 5:25 PM, Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520
> SMXS/MXDEC <robert.hodges.ctr at hill.af.mil> wrote:
>> Excellent information, thank you.
>>
>> Unfortunately, none of it solved my problem.
>>
>
> Do you have a valid NETBIOS domain or workstation name? I mean less
> than 16 characters and absolutely no . in the name.
>
Also make sure that nmbd is running on the linux box.

John

Thanks for responding, Brian, it is greatly appreciated.

To answer your questions:

Samba 3.4.2 is running on Solaris 8.
WINS support is enabled in Samba.
We are using a simple workgroup, not a domain structure.
One single XP workstation, one single Solaris/Samba server.
We are not using DNS, we are using the hosts file in XP.

Bob



-----Original Message-----
From: Brian McGrew [mailto:brian at visionpro.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 3:31 PM
To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba Properly

Hi, Robert!

So, since I don't have the whole thread here, this question may be
redundant, but are you running WINS?  Do you have a Windows DC or just a
Samba DC?  What version of Samba and Solaris, on what hardware?  What is the
network and DNS topology?

-b


On 12/28/10 2:25 PM, "Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC"
<robert.hodges.ctr at hill.af.mil> wrote:
> Excellent information, thank you.
> 
> Unfortunately, none of it solved my problem.
> 
> I see a lot of "The specified network name is no longer
available" error
> messages all over the internet from Linux users, and none of the very few
> solutions I have come across have worked for me.
> 
> Anybody else able to chime in and take a guess as why my XP box is having a
> problem talking to my Solaris/Samba box?  Again, Win2K has no problems
talking
> to the Samba box - it's just XP.
> 
> Refresh:  This error happens when you try to browse using "My Network
Places"
> in the desktop.  Mapping works fine, access works fine.  Browsing is what
> fails in XP.  I need this to work or I'm looking at a huge and
expensive
> documentation change effort that few would understand.
> 
> Still desperate for help on this.  This problem happens with WinXP right
out
> of the box, we have nothing weird installed.
> 
> Help!
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chris Smith [mailto:smb_77 at chrissmith.org]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 12:45 PM
> To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
> Cc: John Drescher; samba at lists.samba.org
> Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba Properly
> 
> On Tue, Dec 28, 2010 at 2:23 PM, Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520
> SMXS/MXDEC <robert.hodges.ctr at hill.af.mil> wrote:
>> Other details: ?I do not use a DNS server, I use the hosts file in XP.
> 
> Yes, but NetBIOS desires the lmhosts file. See my ancient (but still
> valid) scribblings here:
> http://realcomputerguy.com/networksetup.htm#hosts
> 
> Chris
> -- 
To unsubscribe from this list go to the following URL and
read
> the
instructions:  https://lists.samba.org/mailman/options/samba

I'll eventually be trying this, thanks.  But I'm hoping it doesn't
have to get this ugly yet.



-----Original Message-----
From: tms3 at tms3.com [mailto:tms3 at tms3.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 3:48 PM
To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
Cc: Chris Smith; samba at lists.samba.org
Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba Properly





	Excellent information, thank you.
	
	Unfortunately, none of it solved my problem.
	

Start sniffing the machine as you do a "Network Neighborhood" search. 
You might also check and see just where and how lookups are being done for
NETBios from an XP box command terminal

nbtstat -r

which will tell you how lookups are being done.  Might lead you to a culprit.




	I see a lot of "The specified network name is no longer available"
error messages all over the internet from Linux users, and none of the very few
solutions I have come across have worked for me.
	
	Anybody else able to chime in and take a guess as why my XP box is having a
problem talking to my Solaris/Samba box? Again, Win2K has no problems talking to
the Samba box - it's just XP.
	
	Refresh: This error happens when you try to browse using "My Network
Places" in the desktop. Mapping works fine, access works fine. Browsing is
what fails in XP. I need this to work or I'm looking at a huge and expensive
documentation change effort that few would understand.
	
	Still desperate for help on this. This problem happens with WinXP right out of
the box, we have nothing weird installed.
	
	Help!
	
	
	
	-----Original Message-----
	From: Chris Smith [mailto:smb_77 at chrissmith.org] 
	Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 12:45 PM
	To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
	Cc: John Drescher; samba at lists.samba.org
	Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba Properly
	
	On Tue, Dec 28, 2010 at 2:23 PM, Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520
	SMXS/MXDEC <robert.hodges.ctr at hill.af.mil> wrote:
	

		Other details:  I do not use a DNS server, I use the hosts file in XP.
		


	Yes, but NetBIOS desires the lmhosts file. See my ancient (but still
	valid) scribblings here:
	http://realcomputerguy.com/networksetup.htm#hosts
	
	Chris
	-- 
	To unsubscribe from this list go to the following URL and read the
	instructions: https://lists.samba.org/mailman/options/samba

John, thanks for the response.

Yes, machine names are standard text, no special characters with the
exception of the Samba box, which has an underscore in the name.

If the workstation is Win2K, everything works great, including browsing.
XP, however, has the browsing problem ("The specified network is no
longer available").  And this is with a fresh install of XP.

Bob

  

-----Original Message-----
From: John Drescher [mailto:drescherjm at gmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 8:12 PM
To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
Cc: Chris Smith; samba at lists.samba.org
Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba Properly

On Tue, Dec 28, 2010 at 5:25 PM, Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520
SMXS/MXDEC <robert.hodges.ctr at hill.af.mil>
wrote:
> Excellent information, thank you.
>
> Unfortunately, none of it solved my problem.
>
Do you have a valid NETBIOS domain or workstation name? I mean less
than 16 characters and absolutely no . in the name.

John

John, everyone,

Whatever needs to be running on the Solaris box is running properly.
Windows 2000 workstation has no problem accessing or browsing the
Solaris box.  It is only XP that is producing the error.

All of your suggestions are excellent, PLEASE keep them coming!

Microsoft tech support is floundering around on this one, I'm hoping
that you knowledgeable Samba experts will be able to save my life here.

Bob


-----Original Message-----
From: John Drescher [mailto:drescherjm at gmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 8:16 PM
To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
Cc: Chris Smith; samba at lists.samba.org
Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba Properly

On Tue, Dec 28, 2010 at 10:12 PM, John Drescher <drescherjm at gmail.com>
wrote:
> On Tue, Dec 28, 2010 at 5:25 PM, Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520
> SMXS/MXDEC <robert.hodges.ctr at hill.af.mil> wrote:
>> Excellent information, thank you.
>>
>> Unfortunately, none of it solved my problem.
>>
>
> Do you have a valid NETBIOS domain or workstation name? I mean less
> than 16 characters and absolutely no . in the name.
>
Also make sure that nmbd is running on the linux box.

John

Brian,

Excellent response, thanks for giving me things to consider and check.

Yes, NetBIOS over TCPIP is enabled on XP.  Also, XP is set to use the Samba box
as WINS server.

Using "nbtstat -r" and NetMon, I have discovered that WinXP is not
acknowledging the broadcasts from the Samba box.  Windows 2000, on the other
hand, recognizes them just fine, so I know the Samba box is configured
correctly.

If the Computer Browser service is enabled in XP, XP will elect itself as the
master browser because it doesn't acknowledge the Samba box's server
broadcasts.  But I can't have XP doing that, the Samba box MUST be seen as
the master for my mission-critical needs.  Windows 2000 has no problems with
this.

Bob




-----Original Message-----
From: Brian McGrew [mailto:brian at visionpro.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 8:24 AM
To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba Properly

Hi, Bob...

I remember having a problem similar to this a few years back on Solaris 8
where the WINS traffic was somehow being sent to the multicast network on
Solaris.

Have you configured XP to use the SMB Server as a WINS server under network
properties?

Do you have NetBios over TCP enabled on XP?

Have you sniffed the network with tcpdump or wireshark to see if you're
actually seeing the WINS traffic going across the wire?

This is a WINS problem, almost guaranteed, since you can map to the share,
but not see it in Network Places.

-b


On 12/29/10 5:56 AM, "Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC"
<robert.hodges.ctr at HILL.af.mil> wrote:
> Thanks for responding, Brian, it is greatly appreciated.
> 
> To answer your questions:
> 
> Samba 3.4.2 is running on Solaris 8.
> WINS support is enabled in Samba.
> We are using a simple workgroup, not a domain structure.
> One single XP workstation, one single Solaris/Samba server.
> We are not using DNS, we are using the hosts file in XP.
> 
> Bob
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Brian McGrew [mailto:brian at visionpro.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 3:31 PM
> To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
> Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba Properly
> 
> Hi, Robert!
> 
> So, since I don't have the whole thread here, this question may be
> redundant, but are you running WINS?  Do you have a Windows DC or just a
> Samba DC?  What version of Samba and Solaris, on what hardware?  What is
the
> network and DNS topology?
> 
> -b
> 
> 
> On 12/28/10 2:25 PM, "Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520
SMXS/MXDEC"
> <robert.hodges.ctr at hill.af.mil> wrote:
> 
>> Excellent information, thank you.
>> 
>> Unfortunately, none of it solved my problem.
>> 
>> I see a lot of "The specified network name is no longer
available" error
>> messages all over the internet from Linux users, and none of the very
few
>> solutions I have come across have worked for me.
>> 
>> Anybody else able to chime in and take a guess as why my XP box is
having a
>> problem talking to my Solaris/Samba box?  Again, Win2K has no problems
>> talking
>> to the Samba box - it's just XP.
>> 
>> Refresh:  This error happens when you try to browse using "My
Network Places"
>> in the desktop.  Mapping works fine, access works fine.  Browsing is
what
>> fails in XP.  I need this to work or I'm looking at a huge and
expensive
>> documentation change effort that few would understand.
>> 
>> Still desperate for help on this.  This problem happens with WinXP
right out
>> of the box, we have nothing weird installed.
>> 
>> Help!
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Chris Smith [mailto:smb_77 at chrissmith.org]
>> Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 12:45 PM
>> To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
>> Cc: John Drescher; samba at lists.samba.org
>> Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba Properly
>> 
>> On Tue, Dec 28, 2010 at 2:23 PM, Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520
>> SMXS/MXDEC <robert.hodges.ctr at hill.af.mil> wrote:
>>> Other details: ?I do not use a DNS server, I use the hosts file in
XP.
>> 
>> Yes, but NetBIOS desires the lmhosts file. See my ancient (but still
>> valid) scribblings here:
>> http://realcomputerguy.com/networksetup.htm#hosts
>> 
>> Chris
>> -- 
> To unsubscribe from this list go to the following URL and read
>> the
> instructions:  https://lists.samba.org/mailman/options/samba
>

Brian,

Thank you so much for your responses.  I've got more effort and info out of
you than a week of Microsoft support.

To answer your questions:

1.  Firewall off (removed, actually).  No domain membership (workgroup only).

2.  No av/as/am software of any kind (not needed - closed, secure network)

3.  smb.conf:  Looks good on my end, however, OS LEVEL was set to 10.  Raising
it to 65 did not fix the problem.


Bob





-----Original Message-----
From: Brian McGrew [mailto:brian at visionpro.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 9:10 AM
To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba Properly

Ah, OK...  So that begs a couple more questions...

1)  Is the XP firewall on or off???  When you join XP to a domain it makes
firewall exceptions for you.  If it's on, do you have the ability to turn it
off for an hour or two and see if XP picks up the SMB server?

2)  What are you running for AV/AS/AM software, anything???

3)  Do you have an OS LEVEL directive in your smb.conf file???  I'm thinking
your smb.conf file should look something like this:

[global]
    netbios name = toltec
    workgroup = METRAN
    security = user
    encrypt passwords = yes
    wins support = yes

    # The following three lines ensure that the Samba
    # server will maintain the role of master browser.
    # Make sure no other Samba server has its OS level
    # set higher than it is here.

    local master = yes
    preferred master = yes
    os level = 65

And you can find the whole Appendix here at
http://www.samba.org/samba/docs/using_samba/appa.html for more configuration
stuff.

-brian


On 12/29/10 7:32 AM, "Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC"
<robert.hodges.ctr at hill.af.mil> wrote:
> Brian,
> 
> Excellent response, thanks for giving me things to consider and check.
> 
> Yes, NetBIOS over TCPIP is enabled on XP.  Also, XP is set to use the Samba
> box as WINS server.
> 
> Using "nbtstat -r" and NetMon, I have discovered that WinXP is
not
> acknowledging the broadcasts from the Samba box.  Windows 2000, on the
other
> hand, recognizes them just fine, so I know the Samba box is configured
> correctly.  
> 
> If the Computer Browser service is enabled in XP, XP will elect itself as
the
> master browser because it doesn't acknowledge the Samba box's
server
> broadcasts.  But I can't have XP doing that, the Samba box MUST be seen
as the
> master for my mission-critical needs.  Windows 2000 has no problems with
this.
> 
> Bob
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Brian McGrew [mailto:brian at visionpro.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 8:24 AM
> To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
> Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba Properly
> 
> Hi, Bob...
> 
> I remember having a problem similar to this a few years back on Solaris 8
> where the WINS traffic was somehow being sent to the multicast network on
> Solaris.
> 
> Have you configured XP to use the SMB Server as a WINS server under network
> properties?
> 
> Do you have NetBios over TCP enabled on XP?
> 
> Have you sniffed the network with tcpdump or wireshark to see if you're
> actually seeing the WINS traffic going across the wire?
> 
> This is a WINS problem, almost guaranteed, since you can map to the share,
> but not see it in Network Places.
> 
> -b
> 
> 
> On 12/29/10 5:56 AM, "Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520
SMXS/MXDEC"
> <robert.hodges.ctr at HILL.af.mil> wrote:
> 
>> Thanks for responding, Brian, it is greatly appreciated.
>> 
>> To answer your questions:
>> 
>> Samba 3.4.2 is running on Solaris 8.
>> WINS support is enabled in Samba.
>> We are using a simple workgroup, not a domain structure.
>> One single XP workstation, one single Solaris/Samba server.
>> We are not using DNS, we are using the hosts file in XP.
>> 
>> Bob
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Brian McGrew [mailto:brian at visionpro.com]
>> Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 3:31 PM
>> To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
>> Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba Properly
>> 
>> Hi, Robert!
>> 
>> So, since I don't have the whole thread here, this question may be
>> redundant, but are you running WINS?  Do you have a Windows DC or just
a
>> Samba DC?  What version of Samba and Solaris, on what hardware?  What
is the
>> network and DNS topology?
>> 
>> -b
>> 
>> 
>> On 12/28/10 2:25 PM, "Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520
SMXS/MXDEC"
>> <robert.hodges.ctr at hill.af.mil> wrote:
>> 
>>> Excellent information, thank you.
>>> 
>>> Unfortunately, none of it solved my problem.
>>> 
>>> I see a lot of "The specified network name is no longer
available" error
>>> messages all over the internet from Linux users, and none of the
very few
>>> solutions I have come across have worked for me.
>>> 
>>> Anybody else able to chime in and take a guess as why my XP box is
having a
>>> problem talking to my Solaris/Samba box?  Again, Win2K has no
problems
>>> talking
>>> to the Samba box - it's just XP.
>>> 
>>> Refresh:  This error happens when you try to browse using "My
Network
>>> Places"
>>> in the desktop.  Mapping works fine, access works fine.  Browsing
is what
>>> fails in XP.  I need this to work or I'm looking at a huge and
expensive
>>> documentation change effort that few would understand.
>>> 
>>> Still desperate for help on this.  This problem happens with WinXP
right out
>>> of the box, we have nothing weird installed.
>>> 
>>> Help!
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Chris Smith [mailto:smb_77 at chrissmith.org]
>>> Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 12:45 PM
>>> To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
>>> Cc: John Drescher; samba at lists.samba.org
>>> Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba
Properly
>>> 
>>> On Tue, Dec 28, 2010 at 2:23 PM, Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520
>>> SMXS/MXDEC <robert.hodges.ctr at hill.af.mil> wrote:
>>>> Other details: ?I do not use a DNS server, I use the hosts file
in XP.
>>> 
>>> Yes, but NetBIOS desires the lmhosts file. See my ancient (but
still
>>> valid) scribblings here:
>>> http://realcomputerguy.com/networksetup.htm#hosts
>>> 
>>> Chris
>>> -- 
>> To unsubscribe from this list go to the following URL and read
>>> the
>> instructions:  https://lists.samba.org/mailman/options/samba
>> 
>

>
>
>
> Everyone,
>
> Both the Microsoft Network Monitor (sniffer) and "Nbtstat -r"
shows
> that Windows XP is not acknowledging the broadcast packets from the 
> Samba box,
Well, that's an interesting statement...

So, XP spouts a request to the WINS server, it responds and the packet 
is dropped?????

Or is XP NOT sending a request at all???
>
> which keeps XP from being able to browse the server because no master 
> browser is being recognized.  If the "Computer Browser" service
was
> enabled in XP,
>
> Widows 2000, however, acknowledges them just fine, even with Comptuer 
> Browser disabled, and all is well.
>
> Any suggestions?  If you folks help me figure this out, you'll be 
> heroes, because I have come across a lot of help requests all over the 
> internet that go way back many years for this very same problem, few 
> solutions, and none of them resulting in a solution that works for me.
>
> Bob
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tms3 at tms3.com [mailto:tms3 at tms3.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 3:48 PM
> To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
> Cc: Chris Smith; samba at lists.samba.org
> Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba 
> Properly
>
>
>
>
>
> Excellent information, thank you.
>
> Unfortunately, none of it solved my problem.
>
>
> Start sniffing the machine as you do a "Network Neighborhood"
search.
> You might also check and see just where and how lookups are being done 
> for NETBios from an XP box command terminal
>
> nbtstat -r
>
> which will tell you how lookups are being done.  Might lead you to a 
> culprit.
>
>
>
>
> I see a lot of "The specified network name is no longer
available"
> error messages all over the internet from Linux users, and none of the 
> very few solutions I have come across have worked for me.
>
> Anybody else able to chime in and take a guess as why my XP box is 
> having a problem talking to my Solaris/Samba box? Again, Win2K has no 
> problems talking to the Samba box - it's just XP.
>
> Refresh: This error happens when you try to browse using "My Network 
> Places" in the desktop. Mapping works fine, access works fine. 
> Browsing is what fails in XP. I need this to work or I'm looking at a 
> huge and expensive documentation change effort that few would 
> understand.
>
> Still desperate for help on this. This problem happens with WinXP 
> right out of the box, we have nothing weird installed.
>
> Help!
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chris Smith [mailto:smb_77 at chrissmith.org]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 12:45 PM
> To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
> Cc: John Drescher; samba at lists.samba.org
> Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba 
> Properly
>
> On Tue, Dec 28, 2010 at 2:23 PM, Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520
> SMXS/MXDEC <robert.hodges.ctr at hill.af.mil> wrote:
>
>
> Other details:  I do not use a DNS server, I use the hosts file in XP.
>
>
>
> Yes, but NetBIOS desires the lmhosts file. See my ancient (but still
> valid) scribblings here:
> http://realcomputerguy.com/networksetup.htm#hosts
>
> Chris
> --
> To unsubscribe from this list go to the following URL and read the
> instructions: https://lists.samba.org/mailman/options/samba
>
>
>
> --
> To unsubscribe from this list go to the following URL and read the
> instructions: https://lists.samba.org/mailman/options/samba

Brian,

Unfortunately, I'm not able to upgrade, it's a locked system at this
point.  Since it works great with a Windows 2000 client, one would think
it would also work find with XP.  

Still at the drawing board...

Bob


-----Original Message-----
From: Brian McGrew [mailto:brian at visionpro.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 10:31 AM
To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba Properly

Bob,

Do you have the ability or means to upgrade Samba to version 3.5.6 on
your
Solaris machine???  It looks like there are a few, but considerable
changes
in the way packet formulation is done in this version.

I should qualify that and say that I am not on the samba dev team; but I
do
my share of software engineering and development and am no stranger to
building samba (or complete operating systems) from source.

-brian


On 12/29/10 9:22 AM, "Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC"
<robert.hodges.ctr at hill.af.mil> wrote:
> TMS3,
> 
> Thanks for joining in, really appreciate it.
> 
> I'm trying to keep it all straight, I'm relatively new to Samba
(but
learning
> quickly).
> 
> What I now know:
> 
> 1.  Sniffer on XP box reveals that XP does see the broadcasts from
Samba.
> 
> 2.  The Microsoft support tool/command "Browstat status" shows
that XP
does
> recognize Samba as the server (if Computer Browser service disabled,
otherwise
> XP may/may not elect itself as the master - unpredictable), but also
shows
> that XP is unable to pull down the browse list form the Samba box.
> 
> XP being unable to pull down the browse list form the Samba box is
where
> things are broken.  Everything else looks good.
> 
> Any ideas on how to get that browse list from Samba to XP?
> 
> Bob
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tms3 at tms3.com [mailto:tms3 at tms3.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 9:54 AM
> To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
> Cc: samba at lists.samba.org
> Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba
Properly
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Everyone,
> 
> Both the Microsoft Network Monitor (sniffer) and "Nbtstat -r"
shows
that
> Windows XP is not acknowledging the broadcast packets from the Samba
box,
> 
> Well, that's an interesting statement...
> 
> So, XP spouts a request to the WINS server, it responds and the packet
is
> dropped?????
> 
> Or is XP NOT sending a request at all???
> 
> 
> which keeps XP from being able to browse the server because no master
browser
> is being recognized. If the "Computer Browser" service was
enabled in
XP,
> 
> Widows 2000, however, acknowledges them just fine, even with Comptuer
Browser
> disabled, and all is well.
> 
> Any suggestions? If you folks help me figure this out, you'll be
heroes,
> because I have come across a lot of help requests all over the
internet that
> go way back many years for this very same problem, few solutions, and
none of
> them resulting in a solution that works for me.
> 
> Bob
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tms3 at tms3.com [mailto:tms3 at tms3.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 3:48 PM
> To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
> Cc: Chris Smith; samba at lists.samba.org
> Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba
Properly
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Excellent information, thank you.
> 
> Unfortunately, none of it solved my problem.
> 
> 
> Start sniffing the machine as you do a "Network Neighborhood"
search.
You
> might also check and see just where and how lookups are being done for
NETBios
> from an XP box command terminal
> 
> nbtstat -r
> 
> which will tell you how lookups are being done. Might lead you to a
culprit.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> I see a lot of "The specified network name is no longer
available"
error
> messages all over the internet from Linux users, and none of the very
few
> solutions I have come across have worked for me.
> 
> Anybody else able to chime in and take a guess as why my XP box is
having a
> problem talking to my Solaris/Samba box? Again, Win2K has no problems
talking
> to the Samba box - it's just XP.
> 
> Refresh: This error happens when you try to browse using "My Network
Places"
> in the desktop. Mapping works fine, access works fine. Browsing is
what fails
> in XP. I need this to work or I'm looking at a huge and expensive
> documentation change effort that few would understand.
> 
> Still desperate for help on this. This problem happens with WinXP
right out of
> the box, we have nothing weird installed.
> 
> Help!
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chris Smith [mailto:smb_77 at chrissmith.org]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 12:45 PM
> To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
> Cc: John Drescher; samba at lists.samba.org
> Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba
Properly
> 
> On Tue, Dec 28, 2010 at 2:23 PM, Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520
> SMXS/MXDEC <robert.hodges.ctr at hill.af.mil> wrote:
> 
> 
> Other details: I do not use a DNS server, I use the hosts file in XP.
> 
> 
> 
> Yes, but NetBIOS desires the lmhosts file. See my ancient (but still
> valid) scribblings here:
> http://realcomputerguy.com/networksetup.htm#hosts
> 
> Chris
> -- 
> To unsubscribe from this list go to the following URL and read the
> instructions: https://lists.samba.org/mailman/options/samba
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> To unsubscribe from this list go to the following URL and read the
> instructions: https://lists.samba.org/mailman/options/samba
> 
>

>
> Jeremy,
>
> This makes sense, I'll try it.  Excellent idea.
>
> I'm new to Samba, so how do I get it to run in debug mode and do the
> logging option you mentioned?
log level = 10 in smb.conf.

Covered in the man page.  man smb.conf
>
>
>
> Sorry to sound so juvenile, my experience with Samba is in reverse -
> getting Linux boxes to use Windows servers.
>
> Bob
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jeremy Allison [mailto:jra at samba.org]
> Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 10:33 AM
> To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
> Cc: tms3 at tms3.com; samba at lists.samba.org
> Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba 
> Properly
>
> On Wed, Dec 29, 2010 at 10:22:46AM -0700, Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC
> 520 SMXS/MXDEC wrote:
>>
>> TMS3,
>>
>> Thanks for joining in, really appreciate it.
>>
>> I'm trying to keep it all straight, I'm relatively new to Samba
(but
> learning quickly).
>>
>>
>> What I now know:
>>
>> 1.  Sniffer on XP box reveals that XP does see the broadcasts from
> Samba.
>>
>>
>> 2.  The Microsoft support tool/command "Browstat status"
shows that XP
> does recognize Samba as the server (if Computer Browser service
> disabled, otherwise XP may/may not elect itself as the master -
> unpredictable), but also shows that XP is unable to pull down the 
> browse
> list form the Samba box.
>
> This is the key. Separate out the logs by incoming client name,
> run smbd at debug level 10 and then look in the log.<xp client name>
> to see if it's trying to fetch the browse list, and if so why
> it goes wrong.
>
> Jeremy.
> --
> To unsubscribe from this list go to the following URL and read the
> instructions: https://lists.samba.org/mailman/options/samba

On Wed, Dec 29, 2010 at 9:15 AM, Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520
SMXS/MXDEC <robert.hodges.ctr at hill.af.mil>
wrote:
> Yes, machine names are standard text, no special characters with the
> exception of the Samba box, which has an underscore in the name.
Just a reminder that underscores are not allowed in DNS hostnames.

Chris

On Wed, Dec 29, 2010 at 6:09 PM, Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520
SMXS/MXDEC <robert.hodges.ctr at hill.af.mil>
wrote:
> This is interesting, since we've had this working since the beginning
(using hosts files anyway).
>
> Works great with Win2K and Samba: ?"Servername_Number"
When you break the rules they will eventually break you :)

Microsoft was late to the TCP/IP party so it's possible some things
fell through the cracks. Any reasonable Google search will have you
removing underscores in your hostnames.

See:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc778792%28WS.10%29.aspx
And this:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc959209.aspx
which cautions:
"Do Not Use Extended Characters
Do not use extended characters in NetBIOS names, especially the
underscore ( _ ) and the period ( . ). The underscore character is
converted to a dash in DNS host names. For example, NTServer_1 becomes
NTServer-1, leading to failure of name resolution of a name that may,
in fact, be recorded in the DNS files."

Chris

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

There is a directive used to include other config files. I do not recall
what it is, but I do recall it being in the manual for smb.conf. ;)

Please keep replies on-list. Thanks.

On 12/29/2010 02:19 PM, Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
wrote:
> Good tip, thanks.  How to I make use of this "smb.conf.%m"
option?
> 
> Bob
>  
> -----Original Message-----
> From: samba-bounces at lists.samba.org
> [mailto:samba-bounces at lists.samba.org] On Behalf Of Ryan Novosielski
> Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 11:33 AM
> To: samba at lists.samba.org
> Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba Properly
> 
> You can set the logs to level 10 using the params in the manual for
> smb.conf. Also a neat trick, though, is to include the config file
> "smb.conf.%m", which may or may not exist for all machine names,
and
> include the debug parameter in there. This allows you to add the log
> level 10 for only the client(s) you want so as not to waste disk space
> on a busy machine.
> 
> =R
> 
> On 12/29/2010 01:10 PM, Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
> wrote:
>> Jeremy,
> 
>> This makes sense, I'll try it.  Excellent idea.
> 
>> I'm new to Samba, so how do I get it to run in debug mode and do
the
>> logging option you mentioned?
> 
>> Sorry to sound so juvenile, my experience with Samba is in reverse - 
>> getting Linux boxes to use Windows servers.
> 
>> Bob
> 
> 
> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Jeremy Allison [mailto:jra at samba.org]
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 10:33 AM
>> To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
>> Cc: tms3 at tms3.com; samba at lists.samba.org
>> Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba 
>> Properly
> 
>> On Wed, Dec 29, 2010 at 10:22:46AM -0700, Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC
> 
>> 520 SMXS/MXDEC wrote:
>>> TMS3,
>>>
>>> Thanks for joining in, really appreciate it.
>>>
>>> I'm trying to keep it all straight, I'm relatively new to
Samba (but
>> learning quickly).
>>>
>>> What I now know:
>>>
>>> 1.  Sniffer on XP box reveals that XP does see the broadcasts from
>> Samba. 
>>>
>>> 2.  The Microsoft support tool/command "Browstat status"
shows that
>>> XP
>> does recognize Samba as the server (if Computer Browser service 
>> disabled, otherwise XP may/may not elect itself as the master - 
>> unpredictable), but also shows that XP is unable to pull down the 
>> browse list form the Samba box.
> 
>> This is the key. Separate out the logs by incoming client name, run 
>> smbd at debug level 10 and then look in the log.<xp client name>
to
>> see if it's trying to fetch the browse list, and if so why it goes 
>> wrong.
> 
>> Jeremy.
> 
> 
- -- 
- ---- _  _ _  _ ___  _  _  _
|Y#| |  | |\/| |  \ |\ |  | |Ryan Novosielski - Sr. Systems Programmer
|$&| |__| |  | |__/ | \| _| |novosirj at umdnj.edu - 973/972.0922 (2-0922)
\__/ Univ. of Med. and Dent.|IST/CST-Academic Svcs. - ADMC 450, Newark
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Version: GnuPG v1.4.10 (GNU/Linux)
Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org/

iEYEARECAAYFAk0cxSUACgkQmb+gadEcsb6fCgCfetMccsL9aLvE5LN2+tC9xbqZ
gDgAn1CR0QgAahXcpFfQj/CuDqsKq2LO
=Gdr3
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

You bet.

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AsEw2kKriectewf3wTL9r42bvZx4?p=Windows+XP+%2B+Samba+%2B+%22The+specified+network+name+is+no+longer+available%22&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-312

Bob



-----Original Message-----
From: Ryan Novosielski [mailto:novosirj at umdnj.edu] 
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2011 7:28 AM
To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC; Jeremy Allison
Cc: samba at lists.samba.org
Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba Properly [Closed]

Might you be able to provide a couple of links to other places you've seen
this on the internet (or sample search terms)? Perhaps one has some of the
information that could be used to look into the problem further, or something
that could be used to triangulate the problem. Would be neat to get it nailed
down one way or another.


-- Sent from my Palm Pre

________________________________

On Jan 3, 2011 8:36, Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC
<robert.hodges.ctr at hill.af.mil> wrote:

Jeremy, All, 

I truly appreciate your willingness to help me work on this further. 
Unfortunately, we have simply run out of time. 

To make matters worse, I cannot provide traces, logs, etc because this 
is a classified government system that cannot be exposed in any way, 
which means rather difficult and sometimes problematic troubleshooting 
limitations that may keep this problem from being solved. However, this 
error is found all over the internet and rarely do you ever see a fix 
for it. When I have seen one, it's not a fix that works for me. 

To make matters worse, Microsoft stamped a "Microsoft has confirmed this 
to be a problem with the products specified" on WinXP and Samba. 
Microsoft has no fix, they have tried many times before, and as it now 
stands, appears to be disinterested in providing a hot fix due to the 
remaining shelf life of XP. Any support you get form Microsoft on this 
particular issue is what they call a "best effort", and do not
guarantee
a fix like they do with their own products. 

For anyone that wants to play around with this, here's the config: 

All static IPs 
Workgroup only, no domain 
Solaris with Samba loaded, a few shares, enabled as WINS server, 
configured as Master Browser 
No DNS server 
XP has WINS setting pointing at Samba box, hosts file used instead of 
DNS, lmjosts file NTO in use because of WINS on Samba, XP's Computer 
Browser service disabled to force XP to see Samba box as master browser 
(otherwise will elect itself as master browser and totally ignore Samba) 

Behavior: 
WinXP can map to any resource on Samba with zero problems - it is not a 
permissions issue. Attempting to browse to a Samba resource, however, 
produces "The specified network name is no longer available" in XP. If
Computer Browser service enabled on XP, XP may or may not be able to 
browse to Samba box (this is entirely unstable, because within 15 
minutes, if XP has elected itself as master browser, XP will eventually 
time out and lose the server list, and "Specified network no longer 
available" error returns). 
Never, is WinXP able to retrieve the browse list from Samba. Microsoft 
claims that this is because the network configuration is too simplified 
and because real WINS and DNS servers are not in use. All we're trying 
to do is get one stinkin' XP workstation to talk to one stinkin' Samba 
box in a simple workgroup. That's it. So far, it's got everyone that 
looks at this problem absolutely baffled as to how this could not work. 

Those who have looked at it and given up: 

Microsoft 
US Air Force 
US Marine Corps 
Various private military contractors 
Samba email list group (best support so far, but still no dice) 

Again, thanks to all who have tried figuring this out. I know I haven't 
given you much to work with, so don't feel bad. It's just that I have 
simply run out of time to get this resolved. 

Bob 



-----Original Message----- 
From: Jeremy Allison [mailto:jra at samba.org] 
Sent: Thursday, December 30, 2010 3:04 PM 
To: Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 520 SMXS/MXDEC 
Cc: samba 
Subject: Re: [Samba] Need Help Getting Windows XP To Use Samba Properly 
[Closed] 

On Thu, Dec 30, 2010 at 12:29:53PM -0700, Hodges, Robert CTR USAF AFMC 
520 SMXS/MXDEC wrote: 
> Well, here's what's happening. 
> 
> Microsoft Tech Support confirms that this is a problem with Windows 
XP. 
> There is no fix, and I don't expect one coming considering XP's end
of
> life in 2012. All Microsoft has are workarounds. 
Don't throw in the towel just yet. I've never seen a WindowsXP 
box that won't work with Samba, we just need more info. 
> Microsoft's recommendations are to add more servers to the mix (DNS, 
> WINS, etc) and if that doesn't work, then one of their several 
> "workarounds" is to dump the use of Samba altogether. None of the
> proposed workarounds work for us, we're locked into a specific 
> configuration. 
> 
> So both Microsoft and my shop are throwing in the towel on this one 
and 
> we're resorting to simply mapping to all the shares instead of having 
> users browse to them. Sounds simple, but this represents a huge 
config 
> and documentation change on many levels for us, a lot bigger than 
anyone 
> could know. A very frustrating and expensive workaround if you knew 
the 
> scope. 
Don't do this yet. I haven't seen any debug logs from 
you, or a network trace. Changing your config without 
proper investigation is completely premature IMHO. 
> This decision to pull the plug was made after I came across an online 
> forum where someone had this very same issue, worked with Microsoft 
Tech 
> Support for 7 months(!), and it never got resolved. 
We have been networking Windowx XP boxes to Samba 
for longer than anyone still working in Microsoft 
Tech support, trust me on that :-). So I'd still 
like to fix this properly. 
> So, it sucks to be me. 
Please get the network trace and debug level 10 log 
of the Windows XP box trying to connect to Samba, this 
should give us the information we need to fix it. 

Jeremy. 
-- 
To unsubscribe from this list go to the following URL and read the 
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