Painfully slow wait for network connection

[pjme7154]

Hi there,

I've noticed a couple of previous messages that I think were asking a similar question but were so poorly worded that no one responded to them! I'll try to do better here!

Two XP machines, one Pro and the other Home are both connected to a router to form the LAN. All network configuration settings are installed defaults. The only shared drive on each is the shared documents folder (again, default upon install). Each computer has it's own unique valid name.

Having either computer show up on the other in this peer to peer network is not a problem, but anytime I restart one of the computers and try to open the shared documents folder on the other, it hangs up for about 3 minutes before opening the folder (window title is "<computer name> not responding". Subsequent attempts to open the folder (after the first time) are just fine and happen very quick. This occurs anytime one of the computers is shut down or restarted. A simple log off and log back on will not generate the wait.

Both machines are assigned IP's from the router (DHCP).
Clicking "Repair connection" before trying to open the folder the first time does nothing.

Does this have anything to do with the lack of a WINS server? This is incredibly annoying but I simply cannot figure out what is causing this!!

Please help! Thanks.

[john66]

Following twks from tweakxp.com
worked for me.


Speed up Network Browsing
There was a bug in windows 2000 that would cause the scheduled tasks folder to be searched when ever the user would browse network drives. Microsoft developed a fix for this bug. The fix fixed the problem and it also had nice side affect of speeding up browsing of Microsoft networks. Below are instructions how to apply the fix.

1. Open up regedit.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/Explorer/RemoteComputer/NameSpace.
3. Find a key named {D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}.
4. Right click on it and delete it.
5. Restart


____________________________

Can't connect to computers in your network?
1. Click start button

2. Click "My Network Places"

3. Right-click and click on "Properties"

4. Right-click on "Local Area Connection" and click on "Properties"

5. click on the "Authentication" tab

6. Uncheck "Enable network access control using IEEE 802.1X"

7. Click "OK"
_______________________

[pjme7154]

Thanks, but I don't think that is the source of the problem. Let me clarify further:

XPPro and XPHome both plugged into Router/Hub. Nothing is shared except for the shared documents folder (which is the default install for each). Basically, everything is default. File and print sharing turned on, as well as QoS packet scheduler, TCP/IP, and Client for MS Networks (again, all default).

I can click on Network Neighbourhood and see the other computer no problem, but the FIRST time I try to open the shared documents folder on the other machine, it will hang for about 3 minutes. Interestingly, if I open another window to the shared docs folder while the first one is still hung, it opens right away as it should! Then, after about 2-3 minutes the first connection attempt will come back and open the folder! After the first time it hangs, all is fine and I can navigate to shared folder nice and fast. BUT, if the shared folder is not accessed for a period of about 30 minutes, it will hang again the next time it's accessed (exactly as above). This effect is the same on both computers.


Because everything here is default as installed, I can't believe that everyone is not having this issue! Someone must know what's going on here, but I've been killing myself to figure it out!

PLEASE HELP!!

[Admiral Michael]

This bug is also in Windows XP (both Home and Pro). Try this, and the other tweak Zedaxax suggested.

Everytime I format and reinstall I apply these two tweaks and have no problems with network speeds.

[jmatt]

Here are other fixes , that may help , even though they don't appear to be related .

BROWSING SPEEDUP
http://members.aol.com/axcel216/newtip21.htm#MI5S6F
http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Ha...xptweak/5.html
This tip works on ALL Windows 95/98/ME and NT4/2000/XP systems with MS Internet Explorer 4/5/6
installed.
This Registry fix speeds up internet/remote (using Windows Explorer and/or Internet Explorer)
browsing process considerably on most MS Windows 32-bit machines connected to a network and/or
remote computer(s).
This actually fixes a BUG in MS Windows OSes that scan shared (remote) folders/files across the
network for Scheduled Tasks, and can add a delay as long as 30 seconds (!), because it uses
extra time to search the remote computer(s).

===========================================

Network connection speed may significantly decrease.
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?i...CO-Right_Click
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=819101
Temporary Decline in Performance Occurs When You Right-Click a File or Folder in Windows Explorer
The information in this article applies to:
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP1
Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP1a
Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1a
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Datacenter Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Enterprise Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition

SYMPTOMS
In Windows Explorer, when you right-click a file or folder, you may experience any of the following behavior:
Any file-copy operation that is occurring at that time may appear to stop responding.
Network connection speed may significantly decrease.
All streaming input/output operations are degraded. For example, streaming audio over Windows Media Player becomes distorted.
CAUSE
When you right-click a file or folder in Windows Explorer, the CPU usage goes to 100 percent while the shortcut menu is displayed. CPU usage returns to the correct level when the shortcut menu is closed.
WORKAROUND
To work around this behavior, use either of the following methods.
Method 1
Turn off the transition effects for menus and ToolTips. To do this, follow these steps:
Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
In Control Panel, double-click Display, and then click the Appearance tab.
On the Appearance tab, click Effects.
In the Effects dialog box, click to clear the Use the following transition effect for menus and tooltips check box, and then click OK two times.
Method 2
Click the folder or file that you want (select it) before you right-click it to display the shortcut menu.
STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

[pjme7154]

Thanks, but, still no success (I tried the two tweaks provided by Zedaxax).

I just can't believe this is normal - it's pathetic. Two completely different hardware setups, two different versions of WinXP, all updates applied, and I can't get it to stop hanging up the first time I try to open a share folder.

Someone out there must have experienced this! I'm ready to beg here. Please don't make me beg...

-P

[LooseChippings]

Nominate one computer as CompA the other as CompB.

Post these settings for CompA ...

Workgroup name?
Computer Name?
Clients?
Services?
Protocols?
Authenification?
Firewall Settings?
IP Address?
Subnet Mask?
Default Gateway?
DHCP Server?

Post these settings for CompB ...

Workgroup name?
Computer Name?
Clients?
Services?
Protocols?
Authenification?
Firewall Settings?
IP Address?
Subnet Mask?
Default Gateway?
DHCP Server?

[pjme7154]

Thank you all for your help. Computers are as follows:

Comp A
OS: XP Pro SP1
Workgroup Name: PETERCO
Computer Name: Peter
Clients: both computers are peer to peer connected via router/hub
Services: see below
Protocols: see below
Authentication: Disabled
Firewall Settings: ICF disabled. Router acts as network firewall
IP Address: 192.168.2.116
Subnet Mask:255.255.255.0
Default Gateway:192.168.2.1
DHCP Server: Router assigns IP's

Comp B
OS: XP Home SP1
Workgroup Name: PETERCO
Computer Name: server1
Clients: both computers are peer to peer connected via router/hub
Services: see below
Protocols: see below
Authentication: Disabled
Firewall Settings: ICF disabled. Router acts as network firewall
IP Address: 192.168.2.187
Subnet Mask:255.255.255.0
Default Gateway:192.168.2.1
DHCP Server: Router assigns IP's

Not sure exactly what you mean by services, but under the LAN connection settings for each computer, the following are enabled (default upon install):
- Client for MS windows
- File and printer sharing for MS networks
- QoS packet scheduler
- Internet protocol (TCPIP)

The initial "hang-time" is noticed with any shared drive between the two computers, and occurs whether I'm accessing a shared drive on comp A from comp B, or on comp B from comp A. Again, odd thing is that while the connection attempt is hanging, I can attempt the same connection to a shared drive again in a different window and it will open the folder right away. The first window continues to hang until the 3 or so minutes have passed. After that, all is fine for a little while and then during the next attempt to open a shared folder, and it happens all over again.

Cheers,
-P

[cfisher]

note sure if this was offered up as a solution.....quoting from site:

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Netw..._20763404.html

where Soulja wrote:

"Comment from Soulja
Date: 10/11/2003 03:58AM PDT
Comment

Try disabling and reenabling File and Print sharing on the W2K machine. You can also trying stop and starting you computer browser service on the 2000 machine. Not sure these will help but worth the try. "

and also ewtaylor replied

"Comment from ewtaylor
Date: 10/13/2003 10:21AM PDT
Comment

Also make sure that they have a common user account that you login on the xp machine with. "

maybe that could shed some light, both quotes are from the site listed above, just making that clear for copyright purposes.

[LooseChippings]

pjme7154

What make and model is your router?

Can you go into your router from your browser (http:\\192.168.2.1) and check the following ...

DHCP Client Table What Computers and IP Addresses are listed? (it may be called something different on your router, it is a table showing the Computers and IP Numbers on the network)

DHCP Settings ...

DHCP Server Enabled or Disabled?
Starting IP Address?
Number of DHCP Users?

[pjme7154]

LooseChippings,

SUCCESS!! I've got it working now.

It seems that I actually had to uninstall:
- Client for MS Networks
- File and Printer Sharing
- QoS packet scheduler
(could not uninstall TCP/IP)

Reboot, reinstall all again, and reboot again. Do this to both machines.

Now it works like a charm. Previous posts had recommended disabling and re-enabling these services, however, that alone did not work for me.

HUGE thank you all for your help. I would not have tried this without the aid of all posts on this thread. For all you beer drinkers out there, I owe you one. Or two.

Thanks again.
-P

[LooseChippings]

HUGE thank you all for your help. I would not have tried this without the aid of all posts on this thread. For all you beer drinkers out there, I owe you one. Or two.

Where do you live?

Will I be able to get there and claim my beer for Saturday please?

[pjme7154]

Sure, just take the next flight to Canada and I'll meet you at the airport. Mind you, you've got better beer in England, so you may want to bring a few pints over regardless!

Thanks again.

-P