>>>> самбы смотрел - никаких зацепок. В чем может быть проблема?
>>> preferred master = yes
>>> ?
>> Это тоже стоит в конфиге.
> а чего есть еще в конфиге ?

Вот весь конфиг, правда без закомментированных строк:
#======================= Global Settings =====================================
[global]

   workgroup = AVEI

  netbios name = SambaGw

  server string = Samba Server %v

   printcap name = cups
   load printers = no

   printcap cache time = 60

   printing = cups

# 3. Logging Options:
   log file = /var/log/samba/%m.log

   max log size = 50

   hosts allow = 169.254.37. 127.

  map to guest = bad user

  encrypt passwords = yes
  smb passwd file = /etc/samba/smbpasswd

  username map = /etc/samba/smbusers

# 5. Browser Control and Networking Options:

   interfaces = 169.254.37.1/24

   local master = yes

   os level = 85

   preferred master = yes

   dns proxy = no

  case sensitive = no

   dos charset = 866
   unix charset = UTF-8

#============================ Share Definitions ==============================
[homes]
   comment = Home Directories
   browseable = no
   writable = yes

[printers]
   comment = All Printers
   path = /var/spool/samba
   browseable = no

   guest ok = yes
   writable = no
   printable = yes
   create mode = 0700
# =====================================
# print command: see above for details.
# =====================================
   print command = lpr-cups -P %p -o raw %s -r   # using client side printer drivers.
   use client driver = yes

[print$]
   path = /var/lib/samba/printers
   browseable = yes
   write list = @adm root
   guest ok = yes
   inherit permissions = yes

[pdf-gen]
   path = /var/tmp
   guest ok = No
   printable = Yes
   comment = PDF Generator (only valid users)
   printing = bsd
   print command = /usr/share/samba/scripts/print-pdf "%s" "%H" "//%L/%u" "%m" "%I" "%J" &
    lpq command = /bin/true

Сегодня когда я запустил browstat получил такой ответ:

Status for domain AVEI on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{7BD78183-7349-4AA9-AEE9-384E08398F7C}
    Browsing is NOT active on domain.
    Master browser name is held by: SAMBAGW
        Unable to determine build of browser master: 2
    \\SAMBAGW       .  Version:04.09  Flags: 809a03 NT SERVER

Status for domain AVEI on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{24E55663-BFF7-422A-9BA3-DD4B655B5BEB}
    Browsing is NOT active on domain.
    Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus.
Вроде все нормально - самба стала мастер браузером, но почему же, черт возьми, тогда Browsing is NOT active on domain?!!