Question

http access to local web server hangs when downloading

Asked by: ls21gce

Hi,

If I try to download or serve a file locally over HTTP from my web server to my development PC, using any browser I am experiencing a random freeze.

Example:-
I try to download a 5Mb zip or mp3 file via HTTP from my server to my problem desktop PC.
I enter the http address in the browser, I am then offered the open or save window...
I select save, the download reaches anything from 5% to 30% complete but then freezes and sits there forever "downloading".

This can happen on any file type including html files, but if the file size is small then it isnt noticeable as all works OK 95% of the time. Occasionally, I get a blank page served, but if I make a refresh then the page normally renders OK.

Now what makes this weird are the following facts

1 - I am running two servers live and test. The problem is the same on either server
2 - I have 5 other PCs here that do NOT have the same problem accessing the servers.
3 - If On the problem PC I access the same file by simply copying via windows explorer over the network there is no problem.
4 - I have ruled out any hardware problem by swapping the complete HDD into another identical machine but this still fails.
5 - The problem machine has NO trouble accessing any other www servers with HTTP over the internet, only my local servers with http.

So in conclusion the problem occurs due to some relationship with http access between my one Problem PC and 2 local servers. Those same servers are currently successfully serving pages to the internet without problems.
I have an old backup copy of my HDD from around 3 months ago and this does NOT have the problem, so whatever has caused this has occurred in the last 3 months. I have uninstalled any software products during this time, but it hasnt helped.

I need to identify an area that could cause this problem and try any suggestions to fix it.

I need an expert !

Regards,

SMc

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Asked On
2007-09-10 at 15:30:40ID22819156
Topics

Networking Protocols

,

Apache Web Server

,

Windows XP Operating System

Participating Experts
2
Points
0
Comments
14

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Answers

 

by: samriPosted on 2007-09-10 at 16:29:30ID: 19865040

hi ls21gce,

Excellent steps that you had taken :).  I would probably had done the same approach -- plus,  Did you try using different browser.  I would assume that you are using IE for this.

 I would recommend to try using Firefox, and/or Opera.  This is to narrow down the problem.  If other browser behave exactly the same, then, we'll focus on the OS.

If firefox, or Opera is fine -- then IE may be the cluprit.  If Firefox and/or Opera also shows similar issue -- hhmmmm... virus, spyware, trojan, etc.

Other things that you want to try next,
- Clear IE cache,
- Check IE setting for any difference between those that are working and the troubled machine.
- Registry... well not exactly sure on what KEY to look at :(

I had a feeling that between now and the past 3 months, there may be something (obviously) may had crept into your machine.

You may also want to clean/remove any spyware/malware, etc. etc.

I personally had this issue on and off -- my personal approach -- not using IE.  :(

give it a try.

cheers.

 

by: spiritfanPosted on 2007-09-10 at 21:42:41ID: 19866120

Yes check for the following: bad browser, malware, securitry restriction, or bad connection

 

by: ls21gcePosted on 2007-09-11 at 01:24:25ID: 19866835

Hi,
...yes I have tried with multiple browsers including Firefox. They all have the same effect.

I have also tried the following:
- Compare IE advanced settings and add ons line for line with the 3 month old working version.
- Set up a new administrator user on the problem PC - Same Problem
- As I have 2 domains, I joined the other domain with the problem PC - Same Problem
- I have run adaware, AVG reports nothing and I have run registry checks

I dont think a loose connection is likely as I have swapped the HDD into another computer with a separate network cable connection without success.

I dont think a security restriction is likely as the problem is random.

I think the problem appears to be related to throughput errors. The bigger the download, the more likely the http protocol locks. It is as though some parameters have been changed to affect the buffering or something in that area...

Regards,

SMc

 

by: samriPosted on 2007-09-11 at 02:53:27ID: 19867152

Try these.  I do not had much info nor experience in this, but I had seen some experts recommending these:

Try setting these to off.

http://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.2/mod/core.html#enablesendfile
http://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.2/mod/core.html#enablemmap



 

by: ls21gcePosted on 2007-09-11 at 03:16:11ID: 19867247

no luck, enablesendfile and enablemmap settings had no effect....

Regards,

SMc

 

by: samriPosted on 2007-09-11 at 04:06:47ID: 19867449

hi SMc,

since you mentioned that the problem affect this one 'special' machine, or specifically the the one running on on HD (since you did mentioned swapping the HD to other PC).  I started to think that this may not be related to Apache.  Perhaps there may be something about setting on that machine installation.

I am rather clueless at this stage :(

I (personally) may just refresh windows installation (assuing you are running windows).  This way most of you software setting would be kept.

Worst option would be to reinstall the whole thing on that machine, since I think you may had exhausted the possible options.


 

by: ls21gcePosted on 2007-09-11 at 05:24:57ID: 19867885

Hi Samri,

yes I agree, it must have nothing to do with Apache because I have 5 other computers that are able to download from the same link on the same network with no problems.

I think there is a settings problem on this one machine which has happened in the last 3 months. I am sure it must be something simple but as always, its like a needle in a haystack unless you are lucky or someone else has had a similar problem recently etc etc....

I hate to give up and re-install because
a - the same problem could occur again in another few weeks
b - it is around 3 days work. I had to do it about 6 moonths ago due to a HDD crash.

Not sure how to just refresh the windows installation without losing installed applications settings etc...

Regards,

SMc

 

by: samriPosted on 2007-09-11 at 13:12:50ID: 19871898

hi,

in most cases, you could just insert the OS CD -- and proceed with installation.  I am assuming that you would be running at least WinXP

Check out MS website on the subject.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341
http://www.google.com/search?q=xp+reinstallation&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

 

by: ls21gcePosted on 2007-09-15 at 15:38:32ID: 19898801

Hi to all,

I have eventually solved this rather tricky problem and have posted the whole story on my blog.
http://smcuk.blogspot.com/2007/09/download-hangs-on-local-http-server.html


 

by: samriPosted on 2007-09-16 at 13:15:35ID: 19901412

I just visited link -- and the steps is good.

I would propose to copy the steps here -- so it would be a good quality PAQ --


cheers.

 

by: ls21gcePosted on 2007-09-16 at 13:41:45ID: 19901481

Hi Samri,

I thought about that, but its never a good idea to copy the contents of another post, much better to have a link to the original, otherwise it triggers the Google Duplicate Content filter which can have a devastating effect on a website, as documented on lots of SEO sites...

Regards,

SMc

 

by: samriPosted on 2007-09-17 at 11:59:01ID: 19907322

agreed!

cheers.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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