Slow Windows XP Pro Share Authentication and file transfer

[garytn9988]

Symthoms:
1. When connecting to a Windows XP Pro SP2 share on from a Windows XP Pro
SP2, the login dialog box takes several minutes to display.

2. Transfering files from the share is extremely slow.

3. Note, this used to work flawlessly in the past.


Environment:
1. Office1 and Office2 are both Windows XP Pro SP2 with all latest MS Patches.
2. Both are connected to a Linksys WRT54G Wireless Router.
3. Linksys Router connected to Cable Modem.
4. Both Office1 and Office2 have static IP address'es.
5. Both Office1 and Office2 shares security are Full access for everyone.
6. Both Office1 and Office2 have MS Firewall enabled with "File and printer
sharing" selected in the exceptions list.


Question:
1. What should I look at to correct this issue?
2. Is there a good troubleshooting document that would help with this these
symthoms?


Thanks

 

[garytn9988]

After more testing, I found that the problem is with the "Windows
Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)" service. When the service is
enabled and running on both office1 and office2, the login authentication and
file transfering from the shares are extremely slow. For a 300meg file taking
several hours to transfer. When the "Windows Firewall/Internet Connection
Sharing (ICS)" service is stopped on both office1 and office2, this same file
only takes 30 seconds to transfer.

Questions:
1. How can I get the same fast transfer with the "Windows Firewall/Internet
Connection Sharing (ICS)" service enabled and running?

Note:
1. under the Windows Firewall Exceptions tab the "File and Printer Sharing"
option is selected for both office1 and office2.
2. Also ports TCP 139, TCP 445, UDP 137 & UDP 138 are selected with a scope
of my network subnet only for both office1 and office2.
3. This used to work in the past. The Firewall settings were not altered but
both office1 and office2 have recieved many Microsoft security patches lately.


Thanks for any help

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

Hi
It might be that there is IP conflict and ICS confuses the Network Topology.
Since your are using a Wireless Router you do not need ICS and static IPs.
Disable ICS, change the IP's setting from static to Obtain Auto, and use the
Router's DHCP server to obtain IPs.
Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[garytn9988]

I fixed the problem by re-running the "create new connection" wizard on both
office1 and office2 computers. Selected the home network option and enabled
File and printer sharing. I kept the static IP's and Windows FireWall is
active with File and printer sharing selected in the exceptions list. After
completing the create new connection wizard and rebooting, the authentication
and file transfer speed is back to normal.

I don't know what broke it in the first place. It could have been any of the
many microsoft security patches recently installed. I guess I will never know.


Gary