XPPro SP2 slow to connect to XPPro SP2 server

[David Greene]

I have a problem with XPSP2in a workgroup being slow to access an XP SP2
file server (both XPPro). The first time the two machines communicate it
takes about 30 seconds for the first computer to access/enumerate files on
the server. If you are watching it in my computer a flashlight looks around
while the system locks up/slows down. After a few seconds the machine will
communicate instantly with the server until a period of long
inactivity. Then the same problem reoccurs. In the same environment there are
98SE clients can access the XP shared files instantly without any delay.

I figure it is some kind of communication/session
initialization/authentication problem.
Let me tell you what I have tried.

I tried enabling only TCP/IP on the network ( and am thinking about trying
netbeui)
I tried putting entries on the XP client machines for the server IP in hosts
file
and lmhosts file (and enabling lmhosts lookup)
I tried enabling netbios over tcp/ip on both network cards.

Thanks for reading,

David

[Malke]

David Greene wrote:

> I have a problem with XPSP2in a workgroup being slow to access an XP
> SP2 file server (both XPPro). The first time the two machines
> communicate it takes about 30 seconds for the first computer to
> access/enumerate files on the server. If you are watching it in my
> computer a flashlight looks around while the system locks up/slows
> down. After a few seconds the machine will communicate instantly with
> the server until a period of long inactivity. Then the same problem
> reoccurs. In the same environment there are 98SE clients can access
> the XP shared files instantly without any delay.
>
> I figure it is some kind of communication/session
> initialization/authentication problem.
> Let me tell you what I have tried.
>
> I tried enabling only TCP/IP on the network ( and am thinking about
> trying netbeui)
> I tried putting entries on the XP client machines for the server IP in
> hosts file
> and lmhosts file (and enabling lmhosts lookup)
> I tried enabling netbios over tcp/ip on both network cards.
>
How many computers in the workgroup that are connecting to the XP box
acting as a file server? You may be running into the concurrent
connections limitation:

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=314882 - Inbound connections limit in
XP

concurrent connections:

10 for XP Pro/Tablet/MCE
5 for XP Home
49 for SBS 2000
74 for SBS 2003
Unlimited for full Server O/Ses

Oh, and don't post your unmunged email address on Usenet or
messageboards. It will get harvested by spambots and you'll get even
more spam and virus-laden emails.

Malke
--
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"

[David Greene]

Only five machine on network. It is only during browsing file/folders or
opening/closing documents that the users are complaining about it. I checked
it out for myself and found that the initial connections take a protracted
amount of time. I heard somewhere that file sharing in XP could be optimized
and am trying to find out how to do it. Any ideas?

"Malke" wrote:

> David Greene wrote:
>
> > I have a problem with XPSP2in a workgroup being slow to access an XP
> > SP2 file server (both XPPro). The first time the two machines
> > communicate it takes about 30 seconds for the first computer to
> > access/enumerate files on the server. If you are watching it in my
> > computer a flashlight looks around while the system locks up/slows
> > down. After a few seconds the machine will communicate instantly with
> > the server until a period of long inactivity. Then the same problem
> > reoccurs. In the same environment there are 98SE clients can access
> > the XP shared files instantly without any delay.
> >
> > I figure it is some kind of communication/session
> > initialization/authentication problem.
> > Let me tell you what I have tried.
> >
> > I tried enabling only TCP/IP on the network ( and am thinking about
> > trying netbeui)
> > I tried putting entries on the XP client machines for the server IP in
> > hosts file
> > and lmhosts file (and enabling lmhosts lookup)
> > I tried enabling netbios over tcp/ip on both network cards.
> >
> How many computers in the workgroup that are connecting to the XP box
> acting as a file server? You may be running into the concurrent
> connections limitation:
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/?id=314882 - Inbound connections limit in
> XP
>
> concurrent connections:
>
> 10 for XP Pro/Tablet/MCE
> 5 for XP Home
> 49 for SBS 2000
> 74 for SBS 2003
> Unlimited for full Server O/Ses
>
> Oh, and don't post your unmunged email address on Usenet or
> messageboards. It will get harvested by spambots and you'll get even
> more spam and virus-laden emails.
>
> Malke
> --
> MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> "Don't Panic!"
>

[Malke]

David Greene wrote:

> Only five machine on network. It is only during browsing file/folders
> or opening/closing documents that the users are complaining about it.
> I checked it out for myself and found that the initial connections
> take a protracted amount of time. I heard somewhere that file sharing
> in XP could be optimized and am trying to find out how to do it. Any
> ideas?
>
> "Malke" wrote:
>
>> David Greene wrote:
>>
>> > I have a problem with XPSP2in a workgroup being slow to access an
>> > XP SP2 file server (both XPPro). The first time the two machines
>> > communicate it takes about 30 seconds for the first computer to
>> > access/enumerate files on the server. If you are watching it in my
>> > computer a flashlight looks around while the system locks up/slows
>> > down. After a few seconds the machine will communicate instantly
>> > with the server until a period of long inactivity. Then the same
>> > problem reoccurs. In the same environment there are 98SE clients
>> > can access the XP shared files instantly without any delay.
>> >
>> > I figure it is some kind of communication/session
>> > initialization/authentication problem.
>> > Let me tell you what I have tried.
>> >
>> > I tried enabling only TCP/IP on the network ( and am thinking about
>> > trying netbeui)
>> > I tried putting entries on the XP client machines for the server IP
>> > in hosts file
>> > and lmhosts file (and enabling lmhosts lookup)
>> > I tried enabling netbios over tcp/ip on both network cards.
>> >

Suggestions for things to check/do:

1. Computer browser problem?
2. DNS?
3. Physical hardware - NIC's all using 100MB throughput instead of 10?
What type of switch, hub, router being used? Cables and hardware good
quality? All components healthy?
4. Go through MVP Hans-Georg Michna's network troubleshooter to try and
pinpoint any issues: http://www.michna.com/kb/wxnet.htm
5. Review networking practices here:
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_filesharing/index.htm
(Pro)
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/support/troubleshoot_index.htm
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/howto/
6. Have a local professional come on-site. Networking issues can usually
be quickly identified and fixed by hands-on diagnosis. This is a
worthwhile business expense.

Malke
--
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"