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XP Slow on 10mb browsing

We have recently set up a site office on a 10mb connection. The problem I have is that Windows XP machines are very slow browsing the network mapped drives. The windows 2000 machines on site are working perfectly fine. It seems that folders with lots of files are the slowest to open. I have checked the basics such as DNS. The XP machines are able to open the files at full speed. It is just the browsing of directories that is causing problems.

I thought that there may be some setting in XP which could be affecting this.

- XP Pro machines have the latest service packs
- Server running 2003 SBS
- Site office is on a seperate subnet
- Same problem when browsing directly to server

Rob Williams

One thing that helps is to turn off "automatically search for network folders and printers" located; my computer | on the menu bar, tools | folder options | view | 1st option

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Rob Williams

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virando

ASKER

Thanks for your reply RobWill. I have already tried your first suggestion and have also found the website you posted when I did a google. Unfortunately most of the issues listed are fixed with updates. I have fully updated the Windows.

Thanks for your input though :)

virando

ASKER

A little more information. When browsing to a folder with many files, explorer.exe is listed as not responding while I wait then the screen loads. The screen seems to lock up then loads. This is happening on all 5 of the windows XP machines only.

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jdietrich

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virando

ASKER

Hi,

I have tried the duplex and antivirus solution without any luck. I have a feeling that the issue is to do with Windows looking at each file to see what program opens the files. The main directory I am having problems with has 1004 files in it and it seems that windows xp is scanning down the directory which is causing the slowness. Only problem is how do i fix it :)

jdietrich

You can try changing a few switches in Explorer. Go to View--> Folder Options Go to the view tab. There are settings for "Display file size in folder tips", "Display simple folder view in Explorers's Folders list", and down a bit "Remember each folder's view settings". It could be that it is calcing the size each time. Try unchecking the dislpay size, and checking simple folder view and remember each folder's settings. Then connect and close, then try again.

virando

ASKER

Thanks both for your help. I managed to fix the problem. Turned out that the files in the directories running slow were using digital signatures. When I disabled the signatures it fixed the problem. I have split the points between you as you both gave good advice.

Thanks.

Rob Williams

Thanks virando. Also thank you for posting the solution. Good to know.
Cheers !
--Rob