Using the built in SAMBA tools, I was able to isolate the problem: The Domain Master Browser (DMB) wasn't responding properly. Why this was, I'm unshure. The DMB is required for browsing of Windows networks, and is either specified by a network admin or is automatically selected by computers on the network. Watching a few processes from the terminal, I noticed that a smbclient process (using the IP of the DMB as an argument) was attempting to talk to the DMB (Panther uses smbclient and scripts to do this). The process was blocked until the DMB responded, which it didn't, thus the corresponding folders and icons the Network directory where not updated by the Finder, and the loss of network browsing.
The DMB for a workgroup can be found using the command nmblookup -M WORKGROUP, where WORKGROUP is the workgroup your Mac is in.
The solutions:
- If you have access, shut down the DMB machine so that the Windows network can 're-elect' another Windows DMB. If this doesn't work, try executing this command:
This should fix the problem.smbcontrol nmbd force-election
- If that didn't work, or if you administrate your own network, you can make the Mac the DMB by editing the appropriate SAMBA configuration files (this is what I did).
There are two files used in Panther for this. On located at /etc/smb.conf and the other in /var/run/smbbrowsing.conf. These files vary slightly, however, both are altered by using the Directory Access app (used when you want to change work groups, located in Utilities).
So in my particular situation, I wanted the Mac to take control and become the undisputed DMB of my home network . The steps performed were:
- In System preferences, stop Windows File Sharing.
- Use Directory Access to alter the your workgroup (if necessary).
- Add the following:
domain master = yes preferred master = yes local master = yes os level = 255
just below the line [global] in BOTH /etc/smb.conf AND /var/run/smbbrowsing.conf using vi or pico or some other editor. You will need super user privileges (sudo). Make backups just in case!! - In System Preferences, start Windows File Sharing
- In the Terminal, execute the following:
smbcontrol nmbd force-election
This forces the Windows network to look for a new DMB (hopefully your Mac!).
One last thing to note. If your machine goes to sleep, the Windows network will not operate properly, unless it automatically finds another DMB, which is where this hint started....

