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Thread ID: 54672 2005-02-18 22:34:00 Slow network response Tony (4941) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
326309 2005-02-18 22:34:00 I don't know why I am doing this with beautiful Saturday weather outside, but anyway...

In Windows Explorer, if I try to navigate to another PC on the network by going through My Network Places / Entire Network / Microsoft Windows Network, once I click on Microsoft Windows Network, it takes a looong time to display the network name and then to display the machines on the network. Is this normal, or is there something I can do to speed things up?

Athlon 2.4, 512mb RAM, 10/100 network, XP Home with SP2, fixed IP addresses.

Related question - when I'm going through the above, Explorer also shows "Microsoft Terminal Services" and "Web Client Network", neither of which I have. Can/should I remove these somehow?
Tony (4941)
326310 2005-02-18 23:04:00 Put my network places on the desktop. That way, u wont have to go thru My computer to get there. It might be a bit faster.

You'll just have to click on My network places, and you'll have the network.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
326311 2005-02-18 23:12:00 Why not just map the network drive? In XP Windows Explorer go Tools > Map Network Drive. Select a drive letter eg Z, then enter in the computer name or IP and the shared directory or drive. Really fast way of accessing a networked machine.

Eg: \\192.168.1.6\shares
Jen (38)
326312 2005-02-19 00:02:00 Good question, Jen.
The reason is that in fact the issue is surrounding a new version of NovaBackup (7.2) where I am having problems getting the software to backup up across the network. If I use UNC naming it is very erratic (as in it seems to make Novabackup hang), if I use mapping it is OK, but I can't guarantee that the mapped drive letter is going to be the same every time NovaBackup runs (or can I?), and if I use mapping, I have to exactly specify the drive letter to Novabackup. Novastor recommend using UNC naming rather than mapping.

It was while trying to sort this out I found this slow response, and clutching at straws, was wondering if there was a connection. Next step is to contact Novastor support, but I am trying to do as much as I can before I call them.
Tony (4941)
326313 2005-02-19 00:06:00 Put my network places on the desktop.

Just tried that, didn't make any difference. :(
Tony (4941)
326314 2005-02-19 01:25:00 I have a vague memory that it's a bit slow to build up the network map because the other clients don't broadcast their presence very often .

I wonder if a batch file which pinged (a good TCP/IP function) each other host would cause the My Network map (which is a rotten old Windows function) to be refreshed quickly . ;)
Graham L (2)
326315 2005-02-19 01:58:00 Veeery interesting...

Ping didn't seem to make any difference.

After Speedy's suggestion, I put my network places on the desktop.

Double-click My Network Places icon - instant response to display new window with Entire network etc in it.

Double-click Entire Network, 13-15 secs to respond with new window containing network name.

Double-click network name, 23-26 secs to respond with window showing the 2 machines on the network.

Double click network PC name - instant response.

These times seem to be consistent and repeatable.

I'll plug in the laptop and see if that makes any difference to the tinings.
Tony (4941)
326316 2005-02-19 02:13:00 If u have XP on all PC's there, use Add A Network Place and point directly to the other PC on the network (its shared folder) .

That way, u wont have to click on my network places, then my entire network . You'll go straight to the shared folder . When u double click on my network places .
Speedy Gonzales (78)
326317 2005-02-19 03:01:00 If u have XP on all PC's there, use Add A Network Place and point directly to the other PC on the network (its shared folder) .
Did that, worked a treat, and Novabackup seems to like it too . Gracias, Speedy . :thumbs:

However there is still the original issue of why it all takes so long . I've just discovered that this happens only on this PC . The other two machines (PC running XP Home and laptop with Win98SE) both find everything instantaneously . So what might be different on this PC? This is the "main" PC used for internet access etc, but is also a much more grunty machine than the other two .
Tony (4941)
326318 2005-02-19 03:14:00 No problem Tony :)

Any firewalls enabled / installed Tony??

Zonealarm? Nortons Internet Security XP Sp2's??
Speedy Gonzales (78)
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