Since a new install experiencing Major Slow Down

[rokerij]

We had a computer issue a couple of weeks back where our main server was infected by a virus that just would not go away. Our server is old and we were running out of space so we used this as an opportunity to replace two old 20GB drives with two brand new Seagate 120's using a RAID 1 setup where we are mirroring information. I being a new tech and not sure as to how to set it all up decided that ghosting was not a good option as the virus could not be contained. So, I took all of the server information and backed it up to an external hard drive which we pulled from the network and ran multiple AV software on it. I then installed the two new 120's and begin a fresh install of Adv. Server 2000 for our IBM Netfinity 296MB with 300MHz (yeah she's old but she usually gets it done). We set up everything and all went well, at least to me it seems to have gone well. I have a few small issues but none that are major, at least I don't think so. Then again, I am here aren't I? At any rate I was able to get all the machines chatting again, and Internet was there, I brought back the newly scanned and virus free data from the external drive and all was well. We use Office XP and Access is our database. During data entry we have to run reports and queries. These ran in the background with a click of a command button and would literally take seconds. Now they take 2 full minutes, and it does not matter how much data has been entered. Whether it's 5 records or 150 records it takes 2 minutes, and before no matter how many records it would only take tops 15 seconds. So the clients and server are chatting, but why such a slow down? How do I track the cause of this slow down and then allievate it? Please help, any advice is greatly appreciated, and thanks in advance for taking the time to read my post.

S.C. Albertin
Systems Coordinator/Newbie Tech
United Way

Help me to find my way, so that I may help others find theirs...

 

[Jpoandl]

Check the basics first:

1) on the client and server, check the event viewer
2) Check DNS resolution (does it take a long time for the systems to boot and apply settings?)

Remember all clients should ONLY be pointed to your internal Windows DNS server(s). They should not have ISP DNS servers listed in thier TCP/IP properties. Having the clients pointed to the ISP rather then internally could cause a slowness problem.

3) How do the clients get to the data on the server? Mapped drive? Browsing? See if mapping a drive or browsing to the share makes a difference in speed.

4) Strip out all unneeded protocols on all machines...you should probably only need TCP/IP. Get rid of the rest (if any).

-later

Joseph L. Poandl
MCSE 2003

If your company is in need of experts to examine technical problems/solutions, please contact

http://www.NJCOMPUTERNETWORKS.com

(Sales@njcomputernetworks.com)

 

[Donkey1]

If you have real-time AV running that can get in the way as well. We have several database systems and if I set the AV to check incoming and outgoing files the system grinds!

I have a policy set to set the realtime AV to check incoming files only which significantly speeds up any database queries.

Just a suggestion, but it might help.

 

[rokerij]

Thank you both and I will look into both of your posts in greater detail today. We do indeed have SAV running and I will double check what the setup is. We are all pointing to our server address directly with no outside IP's used in the TCP/IP setup?

Running Adv. Server 2000 SP1

1) on the client and server, check the event viewer
As for event viewer - "The DHCP/BINL service has determined that it is not authorized to service clients on this network for the Windows Domain: Domain Name
Event ID: 1051

2) Check DNS resolution (does it take a long time for the systems to boot and apply settings?)

How do I check the resolution? Is there a particular method?

3) How do the clients get to the data on the server? Mapped drive? Browsing? See if mapping a drive or browsing to the share makes a difference in speed.

We map a drive to the server files where a DFS structure has been implemented. Initally the files were spread across two boxes now they all reside on the one. A DFS structure was created to help the not-so-technical people in the office find files. By browsing do you mean going through the 'My Network Places' and finding the server there first? If so, how will the database (Access) know to use that path instead of the pre-determined mapped one?

4) Strip out all unneeded protocols on all machines...you should probably only need TCP/IP. Get rid of the rest (if any).

Under my LAN properties I have numerous components listed all are checked except one - the Network Load Balancing, the others are checked:

Client for Microsoft Networks
File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks
AppleTalk Protocol
Network Monitor Driver
TCP/IP

Again, I wish to thank both of you for taking the time to read my post and respond. Thanks.

S.C. Albertin
Systems Coordinator/Newbie Tech
United Way

Help me to find my way, so that I may help others find theirs...

 

[rokerij]

I can not delete the Apple Talk or anything else. It references other components like Print Services For Macintosh have to uninstalled first, where do I find these components to remove them? I found them running in my 'Services' Window.

Thanks Again.

S.C. Albertin
Systems Coordinator/Newbie Tech
United Way

Help me to find my way, so that I may help others find theirs...