[Samba] Network neighborhood does not connect to samba server

[RVNS]

I am running Red Hat 7.3 and samba 2.2.3a

I can see the samba server in network neighborhood however when I try to connect I 
receive the following error:

_

my smb.conf file is as follows:

[global]
  
  workgroup = POND
  encrypt passwords = yes
  security = SHARE

[homes]

  guest OK = yes
  read only = no
  path = /

[AllFiles]

  path = /
  read only = no

Testparm yields no errors

I have set up the hosts file with the users.  the main one I am working with at this point is 
"steve"

The work group name is "POND".

The client machine name is NEWT.

I have set up the smbpasswd -a steve   then set the password the same as on the 
windows ME password for steve.  this is on the machine called NEWT

smb is running as a daemon.

.ns and .ssn are running on ports 137 and 139 respectively.

I have tried using the "DIAGNOSIS.txt for samba release 2.2.0-alpha3 24 Mar 2001 
troubleshooting guide to no avail.

smbclient -U% -L PUDDLES	yields the following

	sharename		type		comment
	
	homes			disk
	AllFiles			disk		AllFiles
	IPC$			IPC$		IPC Service 	(2.2.3a)
	ADMIN$		disk		IPC Service	(2.2.3a)



	server			comment

	PUDDLES		samba 2.2.3a



	Work group		master

	POND			PUDDLES

when i execute nmblookup -B PUDDLES _SAMBA_ I receive the following

	quering _SAMBA_ on 127.0.0.1
	tdb ((null)):tdb_open_ex:could not open file /var/cache/samba/unexpected.tdb:
	no such file or directory
	name_query failed to find _SAMBA_

when I execute nmblookup -B NEWT '*'    I receive the following:

	10.10.10.2 *<<00> 66.169.248.244*<00>>       


I'm not sure what other information to include at this point.

Please let me know if you have any ideas.


Thank you,

Steve