Home LAN suddenly screwy

[MG.]

Hello to all. I have 4 PC's at home, 3 desktops WinXP, one notebook WinXP
Pro. My network has been functioning smoothly for well over a year until
very recently. Now, whenever I try to move files across the LAN, it either
locks up, gives me a message "Path is too deep", or simply takes FOREVER to
move. I see all the computers in my workgroup and can open files and
folders on all the PC's, albeit s-l-o-w-l-y.
I use a Linksys router, my IP addresses are assigned by the router which is
operating in DHCP mode. As I said, until just recently, operation was
flawless. Now I'm puzzled and before I started driving myself nuts, I
thought I'd ask for some advice on where to start.
Thanks so much in advance and as always, best regards,
Morey G

 

[Malke]

Hello to all. I have 4 PC's at home, 3 desktops WinXP, one notebook
WinXP Pro. My network has been functioning smoothly for well over a
year until very recently. Now, whenever I try to move files across the
LAN, it either locks up, gives me a message "Path is too deep", or
simply takes FOREVER to move. I see all the computers in my workgroup
and can open files and folders on all the PC's, albeit s-l-o-w-l-y.
I use a Linksys router, my IP addresses are assigned by the router
which is operating in DHCP mode. As I said, until just recently,
operation was flawless. Now I'm puzzled and before I started driving
myself nuts, I thought I'd ask for some advice on where to start.
Thanks so much in advance and as always, best regards,
Morey G

Has anything changed? Updated NIC drivers, possibly inadvertently from
Windows Update? Updated firewall software? If not, then look to the
hardware as a possibility. Start on one machine and do the easy stuff
first. Make only one change at a time, keeping notes, and testing after
each change. Some things to try:

1. Swap out the ethernet cable for a new one.
2. Change the port to which the cable is connected to the router.
3. Swap out the NIC for a known-working one.

If none of that works, consider the router itself. If it is old, replace
it.

Malke

 

[MG.]

Malke
I have done quite a few security updfates on my PC, but not the 2 girls'.
I'll try getting them all on the same page with updates, and post back. And
thanks for the response

Morey G