Question

Windows XP Preparing network connections takes 2 minutes when not on the network

Asked by: oncalltech

On a windows 2003 server based network, I have a laptop client (dell latitiude d630) when connected to the domain login is nice an quick.  When off the network (at a client, at home, hotel) it takes two minutes to load, stuck on preparing network connections, prior to the user login prompt.  I know it is related to DNS, but how do I get it to ignore that it is off the network and just load up?

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Asked On
2009-08-11 at 11:08:10ID24644044
Tags

Windows XP

Topic

Windows XP Operating System

Participating Experts
3
Points
250
Comments
8

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Answers

 

by: johnb6767Posted on 2009-08-11 at 11:12:25ID: 25071721

Are you using the "Always wait for the Network at logon policy" setting?

Also, if they are hardwired at home, unplug it and see if it happens.... It shouldnt, should go straight in. Instead, if it detects media plugged in, thats where DNS kicks in to try and find the DC....

 

by: jasonrthomas3000Posted on 2009-08-11 at 11:15:51ID: 25071764

The DNS settings on your network adapters (any of them) will probably be the issue. Go into the TCP/IP properties for each connection, click Advanced and go to the DNS tab. Make sure that "Register this connection's addresses in DNS" is unchecked for all of them, and that the DNS Server Addresses list is empty (but if you delete things from there, write them down first).

 

by: oncalltechPosted on 2009-08-11 at 11:26:18ID: 25071873

I don't believe that policy is setup.  It is a Windows SBS 2003 server, so it has some policies that are in place by default.  I don't believe that is though.  Can you tell me where I would find the always wait policy?

If I remove the register DNS checkbox, what effect will that have when I AM connected to the network?  Is there a downside?

 

by: oncalltechPosted on 2009-08-11 at 11:38:08ID: 25071964

In regards to John's comment, when the network is completely off (no hardwire, wireless radio turned off) it still happens.

 

by: jasonrthomas3000Posted on 2009-08-11 at 11:38:54ID: 25071973

You may need that DNS registration while connected on the network?
Depends on what might be calling that PC while on the network.

It's nothing that can't be fixed by rechecking it when you're on LAN, though it might be a pain to uncheck, recheck all the time.

I'd at least try it off net, and see if it make a sifference.

 

by: oncalltechPosted on 2009-08-11 at 12:00:37ID: 25072201

Well the end user this is for WILL NOT check and uncheck repeatedly.  There is no services that will need to lookup the dns of the laptop that I know of, the user mostly runs office and email.

 

by: rabioPosted on 2009-08-11 at 13:37:04ID: 25073145

Its caused because XP pulls your profile from cache instead of the network. And it tries to connect for a certain time before timing out. That is something you can't control.

 

by: jasonrthomas3000Posted on 2009-08-12 at 06:58:07ID: 25078742

RE: oncalltech:
"Well the end user this is for WILL NOT check and uncheck repeatedly.  There is no services that will need to lookup the dns of the laptop that I know of, the user mostly runs office and email."

He she will probably be okay with that option unchecked.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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