network master browser?

I have a 4 workstation network consisting of XP pro and Home OS's.
The network runs fine in respect of file sharing et al, but I do find
that sometimes the 'main' PC (the one I generally use) can be a bit slow
to 'reveal' network drives/folders when I access them via "My Network
Places".

I understand this may be something to do with a 'master browser'
conflict?

I'd like my main PC to be much quicker at accessing network resources,
and for the other PC to be less important, so to speak.

I did find this site http://www.chicagotech.net/browser.htm quite
useful, but am not entirely comfortable with implementing the
suggestions therein.

Do I turn off the browser service on other PC's and let mine be 'in
charge' of do I simply set mine to be master browser and the others all
then simply accept this? Or do all PC's need to have a setting/config
change?

TIA

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>
Tx2 <this.is.an.inv@lid_email_address.com> wrote:
>
> I have a 4 workstation network consisting of XP pro and Home OS's.
> The network runs fine in respect of file sharing et al, but I do find
> that sometimes the 'main' PC (the one I generally use) can be a bit slow
> to 'reveal' network drives/folders when I access them via "My Network
> Places".
>
> I understand this may be something to do with a 'master browser'
> conflict?
>
> I'd like my main PC to be much quicker at accessing network resources,
> and for the other PC to be less important, so to speak.
>
I usually access network shares using Start->Run...\\PCname\sharename
You can create shortcuts in the same way and put them in a Toolbar.
AFAIK this method doesn't rely on Windows finding a resource before
trying to connect to it - it's like using a numeric URL to connect to a
website rather than first doing a DNS lookup on the name.

In article <(E-Mail Removed)> ,
(E-Mail Removed) says...

> I usually access network shares using Start->Run...\\PCname\sharename
> You can create shortcuts in the same way and put them in a Toolbar.
> AFAIK this method doesn't rely on Windows finding a resource before
> trying to connect to it - it's like using a numeric URL to connect to a
> website rather than first doing a DNS lookup on the name.

Yeas, I also use this method, although I tend to find the drive in My
Network Places first, and create a SC from there.

Subsequently, it's when I go in via MNP that there is this delay.

"Tx2" <this.is.an.inv@lid_email_address.com> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) T...
>
> I have a 4 workstation network consisting of XP pro and Home OS's.
> The network runs fine in respect of file sharing et al, but I do find
> that sometimes the 'main' PC (the one I generally use) can be a bit slow
> to 'reveal' network drives/folders when I access them via "My Network
> Places".
>
> I understand this may be something to do with a 'master browser'
> conflict?

there is a bidding mechanism for a master browser so that you end up with 1
on a specific subnet.

on a big commercial subnet it is "best practice" to make sure that the
master browser ends up on a permanently connected device that isnt likely to
be disconnected, shut down etc - servers are good choices.

the reasons are that the background load can be an issue (probably not with
modern hardware), the "bidding war" during a morning startup can cause some
delays and broadcast storms, and there is a delay after the current master
browser vanishes before an election starts.

on a home network those issues shouldnt matter.
>
> I'd like my main PC to be much quicker at accessing network resources,
> and for the other PC to be less important, so to speak.
>
> I did find this site http://www.chicagotech.net/browser.htm quite
> useful, but am not entirely comfortable with implementing the
> suggestions therein.
>
> Do I turn off the browser service on other PC's and let mine be 'in
> charge' of do I simply set mine to be master browser and the others all
> then simply accept this? Or do all PC's need to have a setting/config
> change?

that would break the browser mechanism if your specificed PC isnt working -
is that what you want?
>
> TIA
--
Regards

(E-Mail Removed) - replace xyz with ntl