Network Problems between one XP system and Blackboard

[Patrick Keenan]

Hello,
This may not be a network-specific problem but I'm really at a loss on this
one and I'm looking for any suggestions.

I have been dealing with a system that needs to connect to BlackBoard
servers at a university. In general, it works.

However, there is a problem with the mail component, from the one system
that it has to properly on. I have been unable to get answers from either
BlackBoard or the University support staff; they either don't know or don't
respond.

The problem doesn't occur on any other XP or Vista or Server 2003 system
here on the same network, or a Windows 2000 system elsewhere. The system
with the problem is a Lenovo Z61M thinkpad, that otherwise is fine. And it
happens on that system with two separate hard disks with two separate XP
installs, one an absolute minimum install.

What happens is that if a mail message is over a specific length, around 26
lines, communication with the server halts for that message. You can't
preview or send or cancel the message, you can only close the window; if you
like you can wait for the timeout message and then close the window. If
you retry the message a few lines less - no problem. But 26 lines just
isn't enough.

All other Blackboard functions work, and I have gone so far as to install a
new hard disk with a new, barebones XP SP2 install. Only XP, the necessary
drivers, Java, and FireFox are installed (BlackBoard seems to prefer
FireFox, but it really doesn't make any difference to this problem). No
A/V or Firewall are installed or enabled as I try to locate and fix the
problem; there's no user data on the system and no other apps. The Java
version does not appear to be relevant to this issue.

What I've been doing as a workaround is to connect to the Blackboard server
via a remote desktop account on the 2003 server system. This completely
resolves the mail problem, but causes another one. BlackBoard features a
voice component for online meetings and I haven't figured out how to get the
voice working over the remote connection.

At this point I am suspecting some quirk of the network adapter, but the
system has an Intel wireless and a Broadcom wired adapter, and both produce
the mail problem, and updating drivers has no effect.

If anyone has any suggestions as to possible approaches or solutions, I'd be
very glad to hear and try them.

Thank you,
Patrick Keenan

 

[Malke]

Hello,
This may not be a network-specific problem but I'm really at a loss on
this
one and I'm looking for any suggestions.

I have been dealing with a system that needs to connect to BlackBoard
servers at a university. In general, it works.

However, there is a problem with the mail component, from the one system
that it has to properly on. I have been unable to get answers from
either BlackBoard or the University support staff; they either don't know
or don't respond.

The problem doesn't occur on any other XP or Vista or Server 2003 system
here on the same network, or a Windows 2000 system elsewhere. The system
with the problem is a Lenovo Z61M thinkpad, that otherwise is fine. And
it happens on that system with two separate hard disks with two separate
XP installs, one an absolute minimum install.

(snippage)

I have a vague memory of reading that the IBM Access Anywhere (or whatever
their multinetworking software is called) can cause weird conflicts like
this. Did you install the OEM tools like that?

Malke

 

[Patrick Keenan]

(snippage)

I have a vague memory of reading that the IBM Access Anywhere (or whatever
their multinetworking software is called) can cause weird conflicts like
this. Did you install the OEM tools like that?

Thanks for the reply. The extremely useful utitilty you mention is Access
Connections, and we rely on it on our other thinkpads, none of which exhibit
this problem. The first thing I did when the problem presented was to
try it on the other systems - they all work fine.

As it happens, though, on the new minimal XP install I added only the most
basic drivers needed, and Access Connections isn't one of them.

Thanks again.
Patrick Keenan

 

[Malke]

Thanks for the reply. The extremely useful utitilty you mention is
Access Connections, and we rely on it on our other thinkpads, none of
which exhibit
this problem. The first thing I did when the problem presented was to
try it on the other systems - they all work fine.

As it happens, though, on the new minimal XP install I added only the
most basic drivers needed, and Access Connections isn't one of them.

Yes, I really liked the Access Connections on my Thinkpad. Since the TP now
lives in Pennsylvania with my son at college, I couldn't remember the name
of the utility.

There were some posts in the Vista newsgroups about difficulties with
Blackboard, but I don't think that would be applicable to your situation at
all.

I'm really sorry that I'm not able to help you.

Malke

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Yes, I really liked the Access Connections on my Thinkpad. Since the TP
now
lives in Pennsylvania with my son at college, I couldn't remember the name
of the utility.

There were some posts in the Vista newsgroups about difficulties with
Blackboard, but I don't think that would be applicable to your situation
at
all.

I'm really sorry that I'm not able to help you.

Well, thanks for the effort, anyway. I appreciate it. Unfortunately,
Blackboard support seems limited to "reinstall Java and let us know". But
if what you let them know is it's not resolved, there are no more
suggestions.

I am leaning towards this being some subtle hardware problem with *that
specific* Thinkpad instance. We may have to replace the system to get past
it.

For today's attempt, I will use a bootable Ubuntu Desktop CD (I have yet
another spare drive on hand if I have to do a quick install for the test).
If it fails with three installs of two different OS's, chances are
significantly reduced that it's anything to do with software.
Particularly since other systems with the same software versions on the same
network DO function properly...

Thanks for the suggestion re the Vista problems. I read much of this in
January, and as it happens, the problem doesn't present on my Vista system
(this one). It works perfectly.

Thanks again.
Patrick Keenan