peer to peer networking won't function at 100MPS!!

[dawgfan1606]

I have a peer to peer network with 2 Xp boxes using TCP/IP.
I have the client for Microsoft Network installed as well as file and print sharing. I have the correct NIC drivers installed and all other hardware you would expect on a peer to peer network. I can see the other computer from both computers...yet when I try to open a share...it takes forever!!! If I bump the NICs down to 10 MPS...all is fine and runs as expected.

I have seen a lot of people with this issue without a real good explanation as to why it is happening and how to fix it. I just built another box for my brother and his is the same way (except he is connecting to a Win2K box). However, although I am not a network guru...I have extensive experience setting up networks. Why is XP so funky? I am frustrated with messing with it and could save myself some headaches by reinstalling Win 2K...at least it works fine. Thanks for the vent and any help you can give

 

[rjkrash]

Have you tried going to the Properties page for your NIC and on the Advanced tab > Link Speed & Duplex > specifically set to 100Mbps/Full Duplex. ----
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[fluid11]

Obviously the first thing that you should do is to make sure that all of your equipment supports 100MBps transfer - NICs, hubs, switches, and cables.

To speed up opening Windows shares, you can map them to a drive letter. After a drive is mapped, the access time to the share is significantly faster.

If your browsing the network in a peer to peer Windows environment, your computers are broadcasting to find each other. Thats why it takes so long. To possibly reduce broadcasting, set up your computers with static IP addresses and create host files on each machine.

ChrisP
MCSE (2K/NT4), CNE (NW5), CCNA, Linux+, Server+, Network+, i-Net+, A+, CIWA

 

[dawgfan1606]

Yes, I have static IP addresses. I will try the mapped drive theory. Oh, the advanced tab is where I have downgraded the speed to 10 MPS...and yes all my equipment is 10/100. Thanks for the input

 

[rjkrash]

I have one last idea about the 10/100 settings.

I seem to remember that there were config disks that came with my NIC cards of old that let me set the speed of the NIC from a DOS program right to the firmware of the card.

I had a similar problem to this one we are discussing several years ago and the only way to get the Card to really get into 100Mbps mode was to fire up that dos config app and set the firmware. Once it was set it stuck but nothing I changed from WIndows would make that card stay at 100Mbps.

Also you say you have the right drivers installed for the NICs but have you checked for new XP compatible firmware?

Anyway, just a few thoughts. No surefire solutions.

Good Luck ----
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[fluid11]

Also, usually your hub/switch will tell you what speed your running - 10 or 100.

 

[dilettante]

Hmm...

Read this:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tr.../winxppro/reskit/prcf_omn_mzox.asp?frame=true

Then try (backup your registry or AT LEAST write down the original settings) making one PC MaintainServerList = No and the other Yes.

And whatever you do make sure you do not have IPX or NetBEUI installed. I have gotten more eoples' home networks running by purging these protoocls than any other way.

Finally (though I'd actually start here first) try putting the two machines near each other and use a good, short Cat5 crossover cable between them and try testing that way. You'd be amazed at the number of bad drop cables out there, and the number that have nasty crosstalk problems when using them full-duplex, etc. Have you tried 100 half-duplex?

Oh yeah, a lot of sucky NICs, hubs, and switches around too - but start by investigating the cables.