Browsing computer slow in home network

A

asperamanca

Hello folks,

after some difficulties I managed to get my 2-PC home network (XP prof
on both ends) up and running. When I directly access a share, it works
just fine in both directions.

What doesn't work is browsing the other computer, so when I navigate to
Entire Network -> Microsoft Windows Network -> Workgroup -> <computer
name> the explorer will freeze up for about 20 seconds when browsing
computer B form A, and even longer in the other direction.

Is there a way to speed this up? Thanks for any hints!

Note:
I disabled the default shares (c$ etc.) by using AutoShareWks = 0 in
registry, if that makes a difference
 
R

Robert L [MS-MVP]

make sue both computer enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP.

Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
Hello folks,

after some difficulties I managed to get my 2-PC home network (XP prof
on both ends) up and running. When I directly access a share, it works
just fine in both directions.

What doesn't work is browsing the other computer, so when I navigate to
Entire Network -> Microsoft Windows Network -> Workgroup -> <computer
name> the explorer will freeze up for about 20 seconds when browsing
computer B form A, and even longer in the other direction.

Is there a way to speed this up? Thanks for any hints!

Note:
I disabled the default shares (c$ etc.) by using AutoShareWks = 0 in
registry, if that makes a difference
 
C

Chuck

Hello folks,

after some difficulties I managed to get my 2-PC home network (XP prof
on both ends) up and running. When I directly access a share, it works
just fine in both directions.

What doesn't work is browsing the other computer, so when I navigate to
Entire Network -> Microsoft Windows Network -> Workgroup -> <computer
name> the explorer will freeze up for about 20 seconds when browsing
computer B form A, and even longer in the other direction.

Is there a way to speed this up? Thanks for any hints!

Note:
I disabled the default shares (c$ etc.) by using AutoShareWks = 0 in
registry, if that makes a difference
Click to expand...

Check the following settings:
# Only use NetBT - remove any additional protocols and transports.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/fix-network-problems-but-clean-up.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/fix-network-problems-but-clean-up.html
# Make sure that NetBT is explicitly Enabled.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/netbios-over-tcpip.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/netbios-over-tcpip.html

If no help yet, provide "browstat status", "ipconfig /all", and "net config"
from each computer, so we can diagnose the problem. Read this article, and
linked articles, and follow instructions precisely (download browstat!):
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp
 
A

asperamanca

OK...Protocol stack...check
NetBIOS...check

Right now, it works fine in one direction (the "Old PC" can access the
"New PC" quickly), but not vice versa.

Hardware configuration:
2 PCs, both running XP Prof, both with Fast Ethernet (or better)
adapters
1 Router/Hub which has an uplink with integrated firewall

Here are the dumps from the three tools (it's in german - I added
translations in places where I think it might be necessary. If I
overlooked something, please ask).

"Old PC":
1) IPConfig:


Windows-IP-Konfiguration

Hostname. . . . . . . . . . . . . : A-2000
Primäres DNS-Suffix . . . . . . . :
Knotentyp . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unbekannt
IP-Routing aktiviert. . . . . . . : Nein
WINS-Proxy aktiviert. . . . . . . : Nein

Ethernetadapter VMware Network Adapter VMnet8:

Verbindungsspezifisches DNS-Suffix:
Beschreibung. . . . . . . . . . . : VMware Virtual Ethernet
Adapter for VMnet8
Physikalische Adresse . . . . . . : 00-50-56-C0-00-08
DHCP aktiviert. . . . . . . . . . : Nein
IP-Adresse. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.126.1
Subnetzmaske. . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Standardgateway . . . . . . . . . :

Ethernetadapter VMware Network Adapter VMnet1:

Verbindungsspezifisches DNS-Suffix:
Beschreibung. . . . . . . . . . . : VMware Virtual Ethernet
Adapter for VMnet1
Physikalische Adresse . . . . . . : 00-50-56-C0-00-01
DHCP aktiviert. . . . . . . . . . : Nein
IP-Adresse. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.204.1
Subnetzmaske. . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Standardgateway . . . . . . . . . :

Ethernetadapter LAN-Verbindung:

Verbindungsspezifisches DNS-Suffix:
Beschreibung. . . . . . . . . . . : ASUSTeK/Broadcom 440x
10/100 Integrated Controller
Physikalische Adresse . . . . . . : 00-E0-18-A3-97-04
DHCP aktiviert. . . . . . . . . . : Nein (No)
IP-Adresse. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.3
Subnetzmaske. . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Standardgateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
DNS-Server. . . . . . . . . . . . : 195.34.133.21
195.34.133.22


2) Net Config:
Die folgenden ausführbaren Dienste können kontrolliert werden:
(The following executable services can be controlled):

Server
Arbeitsstationsdienst (Workstation service)

Der Befehl wurde erfolgreich ausgeführt.
(The command was executed successfully)

3) Browstat status:



Status for domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{B6379D62-C491-43AD-B570-32C2E7DAD34D}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: A-2000
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master A-2000
\\A-2000
There are 1 servers in domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{B6379D62-C491-43AD-B570-32C2E7DAD34D}
There are 1 domains in domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{B6379D62-C491-43AD-B570-32C2E7DAD34D}


Status for domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{CDF3C83A-195D-4BDD-BFF7-4F1162736A3E}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: A-2000
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master A-2000
\\A-2000
There are 1 servers in domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{CDF3C83A-195D-4BDD-BFF7-4F1162736A3E}
There are 1 domains in domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{CDF3C83A-195D-4BDD-BFF7-4F1162736A3E}


Status for domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{9B9B283F-AB1E-4C70-90EB-B15FE7FF3E3D}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: A-2000
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master A-2000
\\A-2000
There are 2 servers in domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{9B9B283F-AB1E-4C70-90EB-B15FE7FF3E3D}
There are 1 domains in domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{9B9B283F-AB1E-4C70-90EB-B15FE7FF3E3D}


Now here's the "New PC":

1) IPConfig:

Windows-IP-Konfiguration

Hostname. . . . . . . . . . . . . : a-4200
Primäres DNS-Suffix . . . . . . . :
Knotentyp . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unbekannt
IP-Routing aktiviert. . . . . . . : Nein
WINS-Proxy aktiviert. . . . . . . : Nein

Ethernetadapter LAN-Verbindung 2:

Verbindungsspezifisches DNS-Suffix:
Beschreibung. . . . . . . . . . . : NVIDIA nForce Networking
Controller
Physikalische Adresse . . . . . . : 00-15-F2-AC-DC-52
DHCP aktiviert. . . . . . . . . . : Nein (No)
IP-Adresse. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.2
Subnetzmaske. . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Standardgateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
DNS-Server. . . . . . . . . . . . : 195.34.133.21
195.34.133.22

2) Net Config:

Same as "Old PC"

3) Browstat status:

Status for domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{0C4DE276-96B6-4DBC-B9C9-A513151F5CC3}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: A-2000
Could not connect to registry, error = 53 Unable to determine
build of browser master: 53
\\\\A-2000 . Version:05.01 Flags: 71003 NT POTENTIAL
BACKUP MASTER
1 backup servers retrieved from master A-2000
\\A-2000
There are 2 servers in domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{0C4DE276-96B6-4DBC-B9C9-A513151F5CC3}
There are 1 domains in domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{0C4DE276-96B6-4DBC-B9C9-A513151F5CC3}


I hope I didn't miss anything. Thanks for any help!

Robert
 
C

Chuck

OK...Protocol stack...check
NetBIOS...check

Right now, it works fine in one direction (the "Old PC" can access the
"New PC" quickly), but not vice versa.

Hardware configuration:
2 PCs, both running XP Prof, both with Fast Ethernet (or better)
adapters
1 Router/Hub which has an uplink with integrated firewall

Here are the dumps from the three tools (it's in german - I added
translations in places where I think it might be necessary. If I
overlooked something, please ask).
Click to expand...
I hope I didn't miss anything. Thanks for any help!

Robert
Click to expand...

Good start, Robert. I guess I need to expand upon my instructions though; if
you had read all of the referenced articles (which I know are a lot, but the
need is great), you would have noted that "net config" must be run as "net
config server" then "net config workstation", not just "net config" alone.

I will look at the browstat and ipconfig in detail, while you extract "net
config server" and "net config workstation", on each computer.

In the meantime though, here is one more thing which you need to read about.
A-4200 has a NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller. We have run into problems
with the "hardware" firewall on this device. You may need to help us learn
about this item.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/02/hidden-personal-firewall-nvidia-nforce.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/02/hidden-personal-firewall-nvidia-nforce.html
 
A

asperamanca

Thanks for your reply!

Since you mentioned possible problems with the nVidia adapter, I
switched to the secondary LAN adapter (made no difference), and
therefore ran all the tools on that machine again. Then I added the
missing net config * outputs for the "Old PC" as well.

Here's the complete list for the
"New PC"

1) IPConfig

Windows-IP-Konfiguration

Hostname. . . . . . . . . . . . . : a-4200
Primäres DNS-Suffix . . . . . . . :
Knotentyp . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unbekannt (Unknown)
IP-Routing aktiviert. . . . . . . : Nein (No)
WINS-Proxy aktiviert. . . . . . . : Nein (No)

Ethernetadapter LAN-Verbindung:

Verbindungsspezifisches DNS-Suffix:
Beschreibung. . . . . . . . . . . : Marvell Yukon
88E8001/8003/8010 PCI Gigabit Ethernet Controller
Physikalische Adresse . . . . . . : 00-15-F2-AC-F6-07
DHCP aktiviert. . . . . . . . . . : Nein (No)
IP-Adresse. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.4
Subnetzmaske. . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Standardgateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
DNS-Server. . . . . . . . . . . . : 195.34.133.21
195.34.133.22

2) Net config

(same as for the other two)

3) Net config server

Servername \\A-4200
Serverbeschreibung
(Server description)

Softwareversion Windows 2002
Server ist aktiv auf (server is active on)
NetbiosSmb (000000000000)
NetBT_Tcpip_{5FEC1CB0-35D1-4D34-972C-36B582B6BDD6} (0015f2acf607)


Unsichtbarer Server Nein
(Invisible server) No
Max. angemeldete Benutzer 10
(Max. logged in users)
Max. offene Dateien pro Sitzung 16384
(Max. open files per session)

Sitzungsruhezeit (Min) 15
(Session idle period(?))
Der Befehl wurde erfolgreich ausgeführt.
(The command has completed successfully)

4) Net config workstation

Computername \\A-4200
Vollständiger Computername a-4200
(Full computer name)
Benutzername <My user name, same on
both computers BTW>
(User name)

Arbeitsstation aktiv an
(Workstation active on)
NetbiosSmb (000000000000)
NetBT_Tcpip_{5FEC1CB0-35D1-4D34-972C-36B582B6BDD6} (0015F2ACF607)

Softwareversion Windows 2002

Arbeitsstationsdomäne WORKGROUP
(Workstation domain)
Workstation Domänen-DNS-Name (null)
(Workstation domain DNS name)
Anmeldedomäne A-4200
(Login domain (?))

COM offen; Zeitüberschreitung (s) 0
(COM open: timeout (s))
COM gesendete Anzahl (Bytes) 16
(COM sent amount (bytes))
COM senden; Zeitüberschreitung (ms) 250
(COM send; timeout (ms))
Der Befehl wurde erfolgreich ausgeführt.
(The command has completed successfully)

5) Browstat

Status for domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{5FEC1CB0-35D1-4D34-972C-36B582B6BDD6}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: A-2000
Could not connect to registry, error = 53 Unable to determine
build of browser master: 53
\\\\A-2000 . Version:05.01 Flags: 51003 NT POTENTIAL
MASTER
1 backup servers retrieved from master A-2000
\\A-2000
There are 2 servers in domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{5FEC1CB0-35D1-4D34-972C-36B582B6BDD6}
There are 1 domains in domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{5FEC1CB0-35D1-4D34-972C-36B582B6BDD6}



"Old PC":

net Config Server:

Servername \\A-2000
Serverbeschreibung
(Server description)

Softwareversion Windows 2002
Server ist aktiv auf (server is active on)
NetBT_Tcpip_{B6379D62-C491-43AD-B570-32C2E7DAD34D} (005056c00008)
NetBT_Tcpip_{CDF3C83A-195D-4BDD-BFF7-4F1162736A3E} (005056c00001)
NetBT_Tcpip_{9B9B283F-AB1E-4C70-90EB-B15FE7FF3E3D} (00e018a39704)


Unsichtbarer Server Nein
(Invisible server) No
Max. angemeldete Benutzer 10
(Max. logged in users)
Max. offene Dateien pro Sitzung 16384
(Max. open files per session)

Sitzungsruhezeit (Min) 15
(Session idle period(?))
Der Befehl wurde erfolgreich ausgeführt.
(The command has completed successfully)


net Config Workstation:

Computername \\A-2000
Vollständiger Computername A-2000
(Full computer name)
Benutzername <My user name, same on
both computers BTW>
(User name)

Arbeitsstation aktiv an
(Workstation active on)
NetBT_Tcpip_{9B9B283F-AB1E-4C70-90EB-B15FE7FF3E3D} (00E018A39704)
NetBT_Tcpip_{CDF3C83A-195D-4BDD-BFF7-4F1162736A3E} (005056C00001)
NetBT_Tcpip_{B6379D62-C491-43AD-B570-32C2E7DAD34D} (005056C00008)

Softwareversion Windows 2002

Arbeitsstationsdomäne WORKGROUP
(Workstation domain)
Workstation Domänen-DNS-Name (null)
(Workstation domain DNS name)
Anmeldedomäne A-2000
(Login domain (?))

COM offen; Zeitüberschreitung (s) 0
(COM open: timeout (s))
COM gesendete Anzahl (Bytes) 16
(COM sent amount (bytes))
COM senden; Zeitüberschreitung (ms) 250
(COM send; timeout (ms))

Der Befehl wurde erfolgreich ausgeführt.
(The command has completed successfully)


Hope it's complete now!
 
C

Chuck

Thanks for your reply!

Since you mentioned possible problems with the nVidia adapter, I
switched to the secondary LAN adapter (made no difference), and
therefore ran all the tools on that machine again. Then I added the
missing net config * outputs for the "Old PC" as well.
Click to expand...

Hope it's complete now!
Click to expand...

OK, Robert.

Both computers show the same master browser, A-2000. A-4200 shows a "error =
53" in browstat, which is reminiscent of a computer with the Remote Registry
service turned off.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/browstat-utility-from-microsoft.html#Error53>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/browstat-utility-from-microsoft.html#Error53

I'll bet your slow response is caused by the 3 network adapters on A-2000, and
NetBT bound to each. Browstat shows only 1 adapter, 192.168.0.3, to be on a
subnet with the other computer. Windows Explorer has to look down all 3
adapters, 2 of which have only A-2000 ("There are 1 servers in domain
WORKGROUP...").

What are you doing with the VMWare Virtual adapters?
 
A

asperamanca

As far as I understand, they are installed so virtual machines running
on this computer can bridge through to the physical network, if
desired.
I deactivated them from the network neighbourhood property page (don't
see them anymore in IPConfig /all), but it didn't seem to make a
difference.

Now the situation is such that on computer A-4200, Explorer won't even
display the other computer as a member of my Workgroup (I can still
access the existing network shares under network neighbourhood). And my
file manager (Total commander) will hang completely when I attempt to
display the shares (it's normally a very stable and mature product).

On A-2000, the computer would not even display itself in the workgroup,
and can display the shares of A-4200 without trouble.

I can't really say when the symptoms changed, because I remember that I
used to see A-2000 on the network, at least.

Robert
 
A

asperamanca

Found it!
When I disalbe the Windows Firewall on A-2000, it is suddenly
browsable!
I really didn't expect the windows firewall to cause this kind of
problem, but I'll see about the configuration. Plus I had another
firewall installed previously - maybe there's still something left.
If you have any advice in that direction, it would get a warm welcome
here ;-)

Thanks for all your time!

Robert
 
A

asperamanca

Hmmm...getting stranger and stranger...

after installing the latest hotfixes (I wasn't too much behind) on
A-2000, and a reboot, I can see it again in the workgroup, and can even
browse it, but explorer takes long, and Totalcmd hangs.
Firewall configuration is OK (although it does never ask me when a
program is blocked, although I ticked that option). I've looked through
the (hidden) drivers, but couldn' find anything really suspicious.
 
A

asperamanca

After a looong wait, Totalcmd says "You have no rights to access this
network resource". Now what's that again...? *Sigh*
 
C

Chuck

As far as I understand, they are installed so virtual machines running
on this computer can bridge through to the physical network, if
desired.
I deactivated them from the network neighbourhood property page (don't
see them anymore in IPConfig /all), but it didn't seem to make a
difference.

Now the situation is such that on computer A-4200, Explorer won't even
display the other computer as a member of my Workgroup (I can still
access the existing network shares under network neighbourhood). And my
file manager (Total commander) will hang completely when I attempt to
display the shares (it's normally a very stable and mature product).

On A-2000, the computer would not even display itself in the workgroup,
and can display the shares of A-4200 without trouble.

I can't really say when the symptoms changed, because I remember that I
used to see A-2000 on the network, at least.
Click to expand...

Robert,

When you deactivated the virtual adapters, did that remove them from NetBT
bindings? Look at "net config server":
Server ist aktiv auf (server is active on)
NetBT_Tcpip_{B6379D62-C491-43AD-B570-32C2E7DAD34D} (005056c00008)
NetBT_Tcpip_{CDF3C83A-195D-4BDD-BFF7-4F1162736A3E} (005056c00001)
NetBT_Tcpip_{9B9B283F-AB1E-4C70-90EB-B15FE7FF3E3D} (00e018a39704)

There are so many ways to mess up Windows Networking. Having multiple bindings,
for browsing and name resolution, is one.

How long after deactivating the virtual adapters did you look in the workgroup?
Remember the browser displays have latency, so you have to be patient.
 
C

Chuck

Found it!
When I disalbe the Windows Firewall on A-2000, it is suddenly
browsable!
I really didn't expect the windows firewall to cause this kind of
problem, but I'll see about the configuration. Plus I had another
firewall installed previously - maybe there's still something left.
Click to expand...

Robert,

Firewalls can mess up Windows Networking in many various ways. I've only
started to describe them - you have to use your imagination here, and keep an
open mind.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-visibility.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-visibility.html

And you have to make one change at a time, and test that change thoroughly.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/solving-network-problems-tutorial.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/solving-network-problems-tutorial.html

And please type your answers after mine - it will benefit both of us. Help us
to help you.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-to-post-on-usenet-and-encourage.html#TopPosting>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-to-post-on-usenet-and-encourage.html#TopPosting
 
A

asperamanca

I have solved it. I had to open port 135 in the XP firewall to the
other computer, otherwise browse would not work properly. A colleague
gave me the hint to look at the firewall's logfile - and there it was,
plain and clear, the connection attempt that was refused.

Thanks for all you help!
 
C

Chuck

I have solved it. I had to open port 135 in the XP firewall to the
other computer, otherwise browse would not work properly. A colleague
gave me the hint to look at the firewall's logfile - and there it was,
plain and clear, the connection attempt that was refused.

Thanks for all you help!
Click to expand...

Of course, the old port 135 thing. Or the File and Printer exception should
work too.

Congrats on sticking with it!
 
A

asperamanca

That was the interesting part: The File and Printer exception was
already selected, but Port 135 was still not opened. However, I have to
admit the installation is already a few years old, and I might not
remember everything I changed sometimes in the past.
 
C

Chuck

That was the interesting part: The File and Printer exception was
already selected, but Port 135 was still not opened. However, I have to
admit the installation is already a few years old, and I might not
remember everything I changed sometimes in the past.
Click to expand...

Well, let's enjoy the fact that you DID find the problem, and everything is
working. And maybe evaluate your security, and stay safe.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/please-protect-yourself-layer-your.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/please-protect-yourself-layer-your.html
 

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