Windows for Workgroups and Windows NT Interoperability

 Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
Article ID: Q100548
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY

To ensure smooth interoperability between Windows NT and Windows for Workgroups, there are several issues that must be addressed. When setting up your network, be aware of the following issues:

  • Browsemaster Conflicts
  • Guest Accounts
  • User Name Duplication

This article discusses each of these issues.

MORE INFORMATION

Browsemaster Conflicts

Browsemaster contentions can occur between Windows for Workgroups workstations and Windows NT workstations when a workgroup or domain contains at least one machine of each type. You may have difficulty seeing servers in a Windows NT network from a Windows for Workgroups workstation if the workstation is a backup browsemaster and not registered in the Windows NT network. To work around this problem, add the following line to the [network] section of the SYSTEM.INI files in all Windows for Workgroup machines on the network: 

   MaintainServerList=no
This workaround stops all Windows for Workgroups workstations from trying to be browsemasters. If you use this workaround, you need to ensure that at least one Windows NT machine (workstation or server) in the workgroup or domain is running at all times. Until a Windows NT machine is running or a user changes the value of the MaintainServerList variable to "auto" and reboots, no browsing can occur (you receive error 6118). Another way to enable browsing in this situation is to log onto the domain or workgroup with a valid account (even a guest account works).

Guest Accounts

Guest accounts should remain enabled on domain controllers. Instead of removing guest accounts to restrict access to certain services, simply remove any undesired guest account rights in User Manager.

User Name Duplication

There should not be user name duplicates on different domains. If a user name is duplicated across different domains, there will be inconsistent results when a logon is attempted from a Windows for Workgroups workstation on that Windows NT network.

KBCategory: kbnetwork kbinterop
KBSubcategory: wfw wfwg winnt
Additional reference words: 3.10 introp 3.11

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Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
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