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Computer Browser Service Dependency

Scenario

  • You are using GPMC Group Policy Results Wizard with the "Another computer option".
  • The Computer Browser service on the target computer is disabled.
  • You get an error: RPC server is unavailable.

Cause

The Computer Browser Service is disabled on the target computer.

Resolution

Enable the Computer Browser Service on the target computer and wait for the browsing list to populate.

Discussion

I tried specifying the computer name, its DNS address, and its IP address but all of those resulted in the same error. I'm running on a Windows 2003 domain. Various sources of Microsoft documentation say that the Computer Browser service can be disabled if all systems are running Windows 2000 and above and are on 2000 and above domain. I'm on a domain with XP and 2000 workstations, 2000 and 2003 servers running a 2003 mode domain. The GPMC shouldn't need the Computer Browser service but that wizard won't run without it.

Forgot to mention that I'm not using the SP2 firewall since I was doing this from another 2003 Server. I put a lot of time into this and it is definately the Computer Browser service.


Comments:

From wallets and bag [211.171.133.91] - 8/19/06 4:59 PM

Like wise man said : Save a little money each month and at the end of the year you'll be surprised at how little you have. (Ernest Haskins.)

From nevermind [80.254.173.42] - 4/17/06 1:12 PM

Well, if you are in a Windows xp SP2 environment with FW on.. you require to authorize resultant set of policy executables in the windows firewall domain profile and make sure that DCOM remote check is also properly activated.

From huskeraider - 4/12/06 12:26 PM

I have the computer browser service already started and getting the "RPC Server unavailable" when running the group policy results wizard on any computer in my domain. it's not the computer browser setting because i already have that set.

From cstotes - 3/8/05 2:12 AM

When I try the server name or its DNS address I get the following error:
Failed to connect to <server name> due to the error listed below. Ensure that the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) service is enabled on the target computer, and consult the event log of the target computer for further details.

The requested name is valid, but no data of the requested type was found.


The ip does work though (finally). We are running DNS (no WINS).

From gpoguy - 3/8/05 1:35 AM

I wouldn't think you need the browser in this scenario but I've been wrong about that before. The best bet is to try taking a network trace of this and where its going for name resolution. By default, it will go to the PDC emulator to get the Master Browser list and then to the master browser on the subnet where the target resides. Do you still have WINS in the environment or just DNS?

From gpoguy - 3/8/05 1:35 AM

I wouldn't think you need the browser in this scenario but I've been wrong about that before. The best bet is to try taking a network trace of this and where its going for name resolution. By default, it will go to the PDC emulator to get the Master Browser list and then to the master browser on the subnet where the target resides. Do you still have WINS in the environment or just DNS?


Last Modified 3/6/05 9:19 PM

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