Slowness in accessing My Network Places.

On the slow browsing computer do you have netbios over
tcp/ip enabled?
-----Original Message-----
Problem Description:
After buying a new HP Laptop (ze4325)... and installing
my 52MB/S Linksys NIC, talking to my Linksys 52MB/S
wireless Router, I discovered that clicking "My Network
Places" is SLOW, and with much delay.

Background:
2 months ago I bought a Compaq laptop, to replace my
relic... and gave my old notebook to my wife. She was
thrilled with it... until she saw how my new compaq
performed.

That Compaq has the same specs, except with a larger hard-
drive, as my new HP (yeah I know HP and COMPAQ are now
the same company)

The Compaq has the same NIC and is on the same network as
my HP. It has the same amount of RAM and same type and
speed processor. YET... The compaq takes 1.5 seconds to
open "My Network Places" and the New HP takes 30 to 40
seconds. (sometimes longer)

I have them sitting next to each other, so the signal
strengths are identical too (as evidenced by the strength
meter and throughput number).

Both machines access program local to them at the same
speed... and both machines are equally speedy on the net.
(yes, you guessed it, I bought the HP and gave my wife
the compaq to shut her up).

However, even though the compaq seems to be slightly
superior in every way... That one aspect of opening the
old "network neighborhoods"... is an anoying and un-
acceptable situation. I have 14 days to take this back,
so if you know the answer to this, let me know soon!

If I can't get this going, I'm buying one just like the
one I gave my wife.

I spent 2 hours with HP support. They asked an
interesting question. They asked:

Did the delays happen immediately?

What they were getting at was: Might some security HOT
FIX by Microsoft, Broke the speed of getting to or
reading from the MASTER BROWSER.

Don't know... I didn't REALIZE I had a problem before I
installed all 12 Hot Fixes....

But that doesn't mean that it wasn't there.

I tried everything I know. And to my eyes, the network
config is SET UP IDENTICALLY to the COMPAQ.

Also I've swapped the wirless NIC between the Compaq and
the HP, and the problem STAYED with the PC.

It's a shame because except for this ONE PROBLEM... I'd
keep this Notebook computer. However I have a nice LAN
with 6 computers all using MICROSOFT NETWORKING... and I
frequently (to the tune of dozens of times a day) access
data and periperals on the other 5 machines, including
what is now my OLD LAPTOP.

Even 30 seconds, since I'll be doing it 50 times a day,
is an un-acceptable delay. (although I've been
keeping "My NETWORK PLACES" Minimized... to keep from
suffering the delays of bringing it up)

Has anyone seen this... and/of do you have any ideas?

The clock is ticking... I need to return this Notebook by
5/19 to get my money back

THANKS

&tan
.