Cannot start computer browser – Event id 7024

Symptoms:

1. When trying to browse in My Network Places, you receive “…is not accessible”. If you check the Computer Browser service, you find the service is not running. But you can’t start it.
2. You are running XP with SP2 and the Event Viewer has Event ID 7024 Error - The Computer Browser service terminated with service-specific error 2550 (0x9F6).

Causes:

1. Windows Firewall may block the ports that are used for file and printer sharing. If these ports are blocked, the Computer Browser service cannot start.
2. You may have a third-party security software blocking file and printer sharing.
3. This error is the result of setting MaintainServerList=No in the registry while still having the Computer Browser service active.

Resolutions:

1. Enable File and printer sharing in Windows Firewall.
2. Use the Registry Editor to change the MaintainServerList = Yes. To do that, follow these steps:

1)    Run Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).

2)    In the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE subtree, go to the following subkey:

SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Browser\Parameters\MaintainServerList

3)    Change MaintainServerList to either Auto or Yes.

4)    Quit Registry Editor.

Related Topics

Troubleshooting Event ID