jchown22
asked on
2 PCs fighting each other
Hello all,
Here's a quick description:
- 10 PCs networked (9 desktops, 1 notebook, all with static IPs running combination of XP Pro, Win 2000), logging in to Windows 2000 Advanced Server
- DNS configured as per best practices
- DSL w/ static IP
- 8 PCs have no problem and operate fine
- 2 PCs seem to have a problem as the day goes on (they are fine early in the day). They slow down to a crawl when trying to access anything over the network. My clients call it freezing but it really is just taking a LOOONNGG time to retrieve the information. If they turn either one of them off and the other is OK so obviously some sort of conflict.
- I have checked the IPs of the 2 PCs and will be checking the MAC addresses this morning
- 1 of the PCs is the notebook using a docking station the other a standard desktop
This has been a very frustrating problem as it is impossible to recreate when I am actually onsite.
Any and all help is appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Jeff.
Here's a quick description:
- 10 PCs networked (9 desktops, 1 notebook, all with static IPs running combination of XP Pro, Win 2000), logging in to Windows 2000 Advanced Server
- DNS configured as per best practices
- DSL w/ static IP
- 8 PCs have no problem and operate fine
- 2 PCs seem to have a problem as the day goes on (they are fine early in the day). They slow down to a crawl when trying to access anything over the network. My clients call it freezing but it really is just taking a LOOONNGG time to retrieve the information. If they turn either one of them off and the other is OK so obviously some sort of conflict.
- I have checked the IPs of the 2 PCs and will be checking the MAC addresses this morning
- 1 of the PCs is the notebook using a docking station the other a standard desktop
This has been a very frustrating problem as it is impossible to recreate when I am actually onsite.
Any and all help is appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Jeff.
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Check the lisence configured on the server, ie no. of users.
ASKER
First of all thanks everyone for the quick response!
Here's an update:
- ebjers:
- have run Ethereal but have not been onsite when the problem occurs so no unusual traffic noticed in the log. I have plans to be onsite all day tomorrow to see if I can witness the problem first hand
- checked the network cables
- checked the computer names
- had already disabled all unnecessary protocols
- jasonduncan76:
- already had run virus/spy/ad ware checks on both PCs
- checked the network cables
- changed the ports on the switch
- updated the NIC drivers for both PCs
- installed a new NIC in the desktop
- Prasanna: thanks but it's not a license issue
The problem still exists as is evident in the VERY slow login on the desktop PC (yes DNS best practices are in use). Also noticed when looking at the Windows Task Manager and clicking on the Networking tab, the computer takes forever to show the information on that tab.
Any thoughts?
Jeff.
Here's an update:
- ebjers:
- have run Ethereal but have not been onsite when the problem occurs so no unusual traffic noticed in the log. I have plans to be onsite all day tomorrow to see if I can witness the problem first hand
- checked the network cables
- checked the computer names
- had already disabled all unnecessary protocols
- jasonduncan76:
- already had run virus/spy/ad ware checks on both PCs
- checked the network cables
- changed the ports on the switch
- updated the NIC drivers for both PCs
- installed a new NIC in the desktop
- Prasanna: thanks but it's not a license issue
The problem still exists as is evident in the VERY slow login on the desktop PC (yes DNS best practices are in use). Also noticed when looking at the Windows Task Manager and clicking on the Networking tab, the computer takes forever to show the information on that tab.
Any thoughts?
Jeff.
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ASKER
Hi again,
- cyrusuncc: I am very close to doing that on the desktop as I suspect it is the cause of all of this
- jasonduncan76: Thanks, I will try that tomorrow when I am back onsite
- NetAdmin2436: no, the IPs have been checked (they are all static) and the DHCP settings are OK
Thanks again for the great ideas. I will update everyone tomorrow.
Jeff.
- cyrusuncc: I am very close to doing that on the desktop as I suspect it is the cause of all of this
- jasonduncan76: Thanks, I will try that tomorrow when I am back onsite
- NetAdmin2436: no, the IPs have been checked (they are all static) and the DHCP settings are OK
Thanks again for the great ideas. I will update everyone tomorrow.
Jeff.
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Personally I think you have 2 users prone to complain about their connection speed and to exaggerate their claims. Maybe someone likes to listen to a streaming NPR show at 3 in the afternoon and their connection slows a bit? :)
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ASKER
Back again,
Here's the update...
jasonduncan76: running sfc /scannow as we "speak"
NetAdmin243: all static IPs, no conflicts, already ran ipconfig /flushdns (I was pretty sure it was a DNS problem but alas I was wrong). They do have mapped drives but all of the drives work just fine. The slowdown is not present all of the time which is making it very hard e to diagnose. If access to the mapped drives was consistently slow, I agree, remapping would possibly help as it has helped me in the past under those circumstances.
SunBow: you suspect the notebook? Why? One master browser. No mapping to each other ("looping"). Both configured as workstations. Would prefer not to disable WINS but will try if nothing else works
uter: I wish it were simply a matter of impatient users, but such is not the case (they have too many credible witnesses). Your idea re: a tracert batch file is a good one. I will set that up hoping for more clues next time the slowdown occurs.
I just want to reiterate one point to everyone - the slowdown is not present all of the time, it seems to occur after both PCs have been used for a while (i.e. late in day).
I appreciate everyone's help and am sure we will solve this one.
Jeff.
Here's the update...
jasonduncan76: running sfc /scannow as we "speak"
NetAdmin243: all static IPs, no conflicts, already ran ipconfig /flushdns (I was pretty sure it was a DNS problem but alas I was wrong). They do have mapped drives but all of the drives work just fine. The slowdown is not present all of the time which is making it very hard e to diagnose. If access to the mapped drives was consistently slow, I agree, remapping would possibly help as it has helped me in the past under those circumstances.
SunBow: you suspect the notebook? Why? One master browser. No mapping to each other ("looping"). Both configured as workstations. Would prefer not to disable WINS but will try if nothing else works
uter: I wish it were simply a matter of impatient users, but such is not the case (they have too many credible witnesses). Your idea re: a tracert batch file is a good one. I will set that up hoping for more clues next time the slowdown occurs.
I just want to reiterate one point to everyone - the slowdown is not present all of the time, it seems to occur after both PCs have been used for a while (i.e. late in day).
I appreciate everyone's help and am sure we will solve this one.
Jeff.
ASKER
Hi all,
- ran sfc /scannow on both PCs
- I was finally onsite when a slowdown occured. It seems the notebook was the PC primarily affected:
- ran an ipconfig /flushdns - it seemed to help but only temporarily
- again updated the network driver - again temporary improvement
- remapped the drive under use - no effect
- disabled WINS - no change
- it seems some of the adjustments made a difference but impossible to tell without a couple of days testing, I will be onsite again on Mon. and will update everyone then.
- if no improvement, have recommended to the client we perform a total reformat.
Jeff.
- ran sfc /scannow on both PCs
- I was finally onsite when a slowdown occured. It seems the notebook was the PC primarily affected:
- ran an ipconfig /flushdns - it seemed to help but only temporarily
- again updated the network driver - again temporary improvement
- remapped the drive under use - no effect
- disabled WINS - no change
- it seems some of the adjustments made a difference but impossible to tell without a couple of days testing, I will be onsite again on Mon. and will update everyone then.
- if no improvement, have recommended to the client we perform a total reformat.
Jeff.
Let's see..... would changing the NICs be an option for you?
Also, check the Power Management settings of the existing NICs on each machine that has that problem.
Also, check the Power Management settings of the existing NICs on each machine that has that problem.
ASKER
Hey all,
It's been a long frustrating haul...despite all of the great suggestions, the problem still exists and I have finally convinced my client to allow me to reformat both systems.
If this doesn't do the trick...you'll probably hear from me again :).
Have a great day.
P.S. I'll split the points as I used everyone's suggestions.
Thanks again.
It's been a long frustrating haul...despite all of the great suggestions, the problem still exists and I have finally convinced my client to allow me to reformat both systems.
If this doesn't do the trick...you'll probably hear from me again :).
Have a great day.
P.S. I'll split the points as I used everyone's suggestions.
Thanks again.