I want samba to deliver file services to my Windows XP client. The problem is, Windows XP searches for other PCs when I click on Windows Workgroups from the "My network" icon.... but nothing shows up, and the search for the domain bombs out.

Here's my smb.conf

[global]
workgroup = WORKGROUP
os level = 65
localmaster = yes
domain master = yes
domain logons = yes
preferred master = yes
netbios name = fileserver
wins support = yes

security = user
encrypt passwords = yes

[data]
comment = fileserver
path = /mnt/raid
force user = root
read only = No
guest ok = No

Samba is set as a domain master already.
perhaps it's a windows setting issue... I'm not too good with samba or windows.

here's what I get with smbclient -NL fileserver. (101 is the WinXP client)

Domain=[WORKGROUP] OS=[Unix] Server=[Samba 3.0.5-Debian]

Sharename Type Comment
--------- ---- -------
data Disk fileserver
IPC$ IPC IPC Service (Samba 3.0.5-Debian)
ADMIN$ IPC IPC Service (Samba 3.0.5-Debian)
Anonymous login successful
Domain=[WORKGROUP] OS=[Unix] Server=[Samba 3.0.5-Debian]

Server Comment
--------- -------
101-8WN8O9LP 101
FILESERVER Samba 3.0.5-Debian

Workgroup Master
--------- -------
WORKGROUP FILESERVER


Both client and server on on the same work group.... but the client cannot see the samba server! They can both ping each other OK, and I can ssh into the server from the client.... but samba? It's just not working....

without guest access you cannot browse directly via network neighborhood

so change guest ok = no to yes and add user guest with no password then smbpasswd guest [no password]

I did that and I still can't see the samba server from the WinXP client
They're on the same workgroup and everything..... I just don't get it.

Arghh..... they're both connected through a broadband router.... and THAT seems to be blocking the share from appearing. When I connected the PCs up directly and samba shows up.

Now I just have to figure out how to configure this stupid broadband router.

Am having the exact same troubles

Currently to access the file shares I am using the "run command" thingy from an Win XP Client
\\192.168.2.2\share_name
where 192.168.2.2 is samba

Also if you want to permanently map the drive, in a win XP client explorer Tools > Map Network Drive and the same as above

This should work as they can ping each other

Still figuring out how to get them to see each other though........

Are you able to use the mapped network drive though?

I really can't care less if a little PC icon doesn't appear in My Network's Workgroups.... I just want to use the samba driven file server I set up!

yeah the mapped network drive works fine for me.

Well after a bit of looking at the problem, I found that it was NOT the broadband access router. It was in fact the Windows XP PC's firewall.

Blah....

OH well, at least my file server works now.