Sluggish Network

[Dana Ware]

Hi,

I have several PC's connected peer-to-peer using a Linksys SR224 switch.
Generally it works OK but when a new PC is added it seems to take forever to
be able to see it from other machines etc... Or I can't see other machines
from the new one.

Most of the PC's are running winows XP but also '98 and Me.

Any general ideas or somewhere to learn more ?

Thanks, Dana

 

[Doug Sherman [MVP]]

Browsing is not and is not intended to be an efficient way to connect to
network resources. It can take 15 minutes for a newly started machine to
appear in a browse list under 'normal' conditions. The delay is aggravated
if there are multiple machines participating in the master browser election
process, and Win9x machines are notorious for refusing to lose elections to
newer Windows versions thereby creating conflicts.

Try removing the Win9x/ME machines from browser elections:

1. In Control Panel, double click Network, and then examine the list of
installed components.

2. On the Configuration tab, double click File and printer sharing for
Microsoft Networks in the list of installed components.

3. In the File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks dialog box, select
Browse Master and set to Disabled.

Doug Sherman
MCSE Win2k/NT4.0, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP
..

 

[Dana Ware]

I assume you mean to do this on the win 98/Me machines ? I'll try it.

Thanks !

 

[Dana Ware]

Hi Doug,

I've tried what you suggested and still not having much luck. At this point
I have two newer PC's running XP that cannot see the network or be seen
beyond their listing under 'MSHOME'. I have also retried re-powering the
switch.

I assume the network should be able to handle people coming in in the
morning and plugging their laptops in (I have one of those)

What's the best way to reset the whole thing ?

Any other ideas ? (beyond hiring somebody who knows this stuff...)

Thanks, Dana

 

[Chuck]

Hi Doug,

I've tried what you suggested and still not having much luck. At this point
I have two newer PC's running XP that cannot see the network or be seen
beyond their listing under 'MSHOME'. I have also retried re-powering the
switch.

I assume the network should be able to handle people coming in in the
morning and plugging their laptops in (I have one of those)

What's the best way to reset the whole thing ?

Any other ideas ? (beyond hiring somebody who knows this stuff...)

Thanks, Dana

Dana,

After changing the browser on any computer, power all computers off to reset the
browser settings on each. Then power each computer on again. The first
computer, with the browser running, that's powered on will likely become the
master browser.

A laptop brought in and plugged in will probably be ignored, even if it has the
browser running.

The Microsoft Browstat program will show us what browsers you have in your
domain / workgroup, at any time.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188305

You can download Browstat from either:
<http://www.dynawell.com/reskit/microsoft/win2000/browstat.zip>
<http://rescomp.stanford.edu/staff/manual/rcc/tools/browstat.zip>

Browstat is very small (40K), and needs no install. Just unzip the downloaded
file, copy browstat.exe to any folder in the Path, and run it from a command
window, by "browstat status". Make sure all computers give the same result.

For more information about the browser subsystem (very intricate), see:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188001
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188305
<http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winntas/deploy/prodspecs/ntbrowse.mspx>

 

[Carey Holzman]

www.careyholzman.com/net1.htm

Carey

Hi Doug,

I've tried what you suggested and still not having much luck. At this
point I have two newer PC's running XP that cannot see the network or be
seen beyond their listing under 'MSHOME'. I have also retried re-powering
the switch.

I assume the network should be able to handle people coming in in the
morning and plugging their laptops in (I have one of those)

What's the best way to reset the whole thing ?

Any other ideas ? (beyond hiring somebody who knows this stuff...)

Thanks, Dana