Long logon times (and other associated issues)

> Are you using the correct network cable for p2p. If you
> don't have a hub or router i believe you need a crossover
> cable. Have you tried to unplug the cable to see if the
> problem persists, as this may pinpoint the problem.

> Please forgive the cross-posts - I didn't really know where best to
> post this as I'm not really sure of the cause.
>
> I don't really know the cause (what I do know is that it's not caused
> by any TSR start-up process as I've spent the better part of 2 hours
> disabling each and rebooting and nothing's made a difference), so I'm
> beginning to wonder if it's a network issue.
>
> I have 2 Dells - a Dimension 8350 (mine) and an Optiplex GX150 (my
> father's). They are connected via their respective integrated network
> cards via a CAT5 cable - they are only about 4' apart (as if this
> should make any difference!). The Optiplex was recently upgraded to
> XP Pro (from 2000) to match mine.
>
> The problem is, I don't even know if it /is/ network related - that's
> just a hunch, as I cannot recall how long it's been doing it for.
>
> Basically what happens is this (this happens on mine only, Dad's is
> fine).
>
> Blue scrolling splash (bar scrolls across anything up to two dozen
> times - I know 'cause I've counted!). To logon screen and I enter my
> password and it then hangs for over two minutes (I know, 'cause I've
> timed it!). It's almost as though it's searching for something and it
> will only continue with the logon when it's found whatever it is it's
> looking for. I connect to the net via ADSL and the modem is an
> external USB (yes, I know!) connected to my system. It is *not*
> shared with my father's as he doesn't require access.
>
> System specs follow
>
> Mine
> --------
> P4 3.2GHz HT
> 1GB 3500 RAM
> 9800 Pro
> 875E Intel motherboard
> Audigy 2 Platinum
> 2x hard drives (2x250 standard IDE)
> 2x opticals (DVD burner and DVD-ROM)
> NIC integrated in motherboard
>
>
> Dad's
> --------
> P3 1GHz
> 256MB RAM
> 40GB hard drive
> CD-ROM
> Everything else integrated on 815 chipset, IIRC, Intel motherboard
>
> As I've just upgraded my father's, I have yet to install SP1 - would
> this make a difference? His system has no such logon issues, they are
> peculiar to mine.
>
> Why do I think it's network related? Well everything to do with
> networking is slow. It takes a full minute to display the contents
> when I click "view network computers" - on my father's it's
> instantaneous! I really don't know where to begin troubleshooting -
> can anyone give me any pointers? Everything to do with networking is
> considerably faster on his, vastly inferior, system.
>
> I know next to nothing about networking - all I want to do is run a
> simple 2-system peer-to-peer network, so we can share the printer and
> files. I mean, it's not rocket science - or is it?!
>
> I just want a computer that will hit the desktop in less time than it
> takes to make a cuppa! Yep, I can go away, boil the kettle, dunk the
> bag and it's only just hit the desktop when I return!
>
> Anyone help this luddite?
>
> Things were so much easier (or so it appeared) in the days of 9x and
> NetBEUI - I just entered a static IP and never had any problems!
>
> The system is healthy in all other respects and passed its weekly
> spyware and virus scans yesterday with flying colours! I am running a
> firewall, but then that's standard protocol.
>
> If I have forgotten anything vitally important, just yell.
>
> Thanks

> Cerridwen wrote:

>> Please forgive the cross-posts - I didn't really know where best to
>> post this as I'm not really sure of the cause.
>>
>> I don't really know the cause (what I do know is that it's not caused
>> by any TSR start-up process as I've spent the better part of 2 hours
>> disabling each and rebooting and nothing's made a difference), so I'm
>> beginning to wonder if it's a network issue.
>>
>> I have 2 Dells - a Dimension 8350 (mine) and an Optiplex GX150 (my
>> father's). They are connected via their respective integrated network
>> cards via a CAT5 cable - they are only about 4' apart (as if this
>> should make any difference!). The Optiplex was recently upgraded to
>> XP Pro (from 2000) to match mine.
>>
>> The problem is, I don't even know if it /is/ network related - that's
>> just a hunch, as I cannot recall how long it's been doing it for.
>>
>> Basically what happens is this (this happens on mine only, Dad's is
>> fine).
>>
>> Blue scrolling splash (bar scrolls across anything up to two dozen
>> times - I know 'cause I've counted!). To logon screen and I enter my
>> password and it then hangs for over two minutes (I know, 'cause I've
>> timed it!). It's almost as though it's searching for something and it
>> will only continue with the logon when it's found whatever it is it's
>> looking for. I connect to the net via ADSL and the modem is an
>> external USB (yes, I know!) connected to my system. It is *not*
>> shared with my father's as he doesn't require access.
>>
>> System specs follow
>>
>> Mine
>> --------
>> P4 3.2GHz HT
>> 1GB 3500 RAM
>> 9800 Pro
>> 875E Intel motherboard
>> Audigy 2 Platinum
>> 2x hard drives (2x250 standard IDE)
>> 2x opticals (DVD burner and DVD-ROM)
>> NIC integrated in motherboard
>>
>>
>> Dad's
>> --------
>> P3 1GHz
>> 256MB RAM
>> 40GB hard drive
>> CD-ROM
>> Everything else integrated on 815 chipset, IIRC, Intel motherboard
>>
>> As I've just upgraded my father's, I have yet to install SP1 - would
>> this make a difference? His system has no such logon issues, they are
>> peculiar to mine.
>>
>> Why do I think it's network related? Well everything to do with
>> networking is slow. It takes a full minute to display the contents
>> when I click "view network computers" - on my father's it's
>> instantaneous! I really don't know where to begin troubleshooting -
>> can anyone give me any pointers? Everything to do with networking is
>> considerably faster on his, vastly inferior, system.
>>
>> I know next to nothing about networking - all I want to do is run a
>> simple 2-system peer-to-peer network, so we can share the printer and
>> files. I mean, it's not rocket science - or is it?!
>>
>> I just want a computer that will hit the desktop in less time than it
>> takes to make a cuppa! Yep, I can go away, boil the kettle, dunk the
>> bag and it's only just hit the desktop when I return!
>>
>> Anyone help this luddite?
>>
>> Things were so much easier (or so it appeared) in the days of 9x and
>> NetBEUI - I just entered a static IP and never had any problems!
>>
>> The system is healthy in all other respects and passed its weekly
>> spyware and virus scans yesterday with flying colours! I am running a
>> firewall, but then that's standard protocol.
>>
>> If I have forgotten anything vitally important, just yell.
>>
>> Thanks

>
> Hello. Not sure what is causing your problem either but here are a
> few things to check/try:
>
> - Is your firewall software seeing the network access between your
> and your father's computer? Have you tried disabling it?

> - The machines are connected via a direct cable connection? Are you
> making sure to use a crossover cable if this is the case?

> - Is your modem dynamically assigning internal IP addies, or are they
> on static IPs?

> - Have you tried to ping an internal IP address and look at the stats?

> - Have you tried to ping an external IP address and look at the stats?

> hermes wrote:

>> Cerridwen wrote:

>>> Please forgive the cross-posts - I didn't really know where best to
>>> post this as I'm not really sure of the cause.
>>>
>>> I don't really know the cause (what I do know is that it's not
>>> caused by any TSR start-up process as I've spent the better part of
>>> 2 hours disabling each and rebooting and nothing's made a
>>> difference), so I'm beginning to wonder if it's a network issue.
>>>
>>> I have 2 Dells - a Dimension 8350 (mine) and an Optiplex GX150 (my
>>> father's). They are connected via their respective integrated
>>> network cards via a CAT5 cable - they are only about 4' apart (as
>>> if this should make any difference!). The Optiplex was recently
>>> upgraded to XP Pro (from 2000) to match mine.
>>>
>>> The problem is, I don't even know if it /is/ network related -
>>> that's just a hunch, as I cannot recall how long it's been doing it
>>> for.
>>>
>>> Basically what happens is this (this happens on mine only, Dad's is
>>> fine).
>>>
>>> Blue scrolling splash (bar scrolls across anything up to two dozen
>>> times - I know 'cause I've counted!). To logon screen and I enter my
>>> password and it then hangs for over two minutes (I know, 'cause I've
>>> timed it!). It's almost as though it's searching for something and
>>> it will only continue with the logon when it's found whatever it is
>>> it's looking for. I connect to the net via ADSL and the modem is an
>>> external USB (yes, I know!) connected to my system. It is *not*
>>> shared with my father's as he doesn't require access.
>>>
>>> System specs follow
>>>
>>> Mine
>>> --------
>>> P4 3.2GHz HT
>>> 1GB 3500 RAM
>>> 9800 Pro
>>> 875E Intel motherboard
>>> Audigy 2 Platinum
>>> 2x hard drives (2x250 standard IDE)
>>> 2x opticals (DVD burner and DVD-ROM)
>>> NIC integrated in motherboard
>>>
>>>
>>> Dad's
>>> --------
>>> P3 1GHz
>>> 256MB RAM
>>> 40GB hard drive
>>> CD-ROM
>>> Everything else integrated on 815 chipset, IIRC, Intel motherboard
>>>
>>> As I've just upgraded my father's, I have yet to install SP1 - would
>>> this make a difference? His system has no such logon issues, they
>>> are peculiar to mine.
>>>
>>> Why do I think it's network related? Well everything to do with
>>> networking is slow. It takes a full minute to display the contents
>>> when I click "view network computers" - on my father's it's
>>> instantaneous! I really don't know where to begin troubleshooting -
>>> can anyone give me any pointers? Everything to do with networking is
>>> considerably faster on his, vastly inferior, system.
>>>
>>> I know next to nothing about networking - all I want to do is run a
>>> simple 2-system peer-to-peer network, so we can share the printer
>>> and files. I mean, it's not rocket science - or is it?!
>>>
>>> I just want a computer that will hit the desktop in less time than
>>> it takes to make a cuppa! Yep, I can go away, boil the kettle, dunk
>>> the bag and it's only just hit the desktop when I return!
>>>
>>> Anyone help this luddite?
>>>
>>> Things were so much easier (or so it appeared) in the days of 9x and
>>> NetBEUI - I just entered a static IP and never had any problems!
>>>
>>> The system is healthy in all other respects and passed its weekly
>>> spyware and virus scans yesterday with flying colours! I am running
>>> a firewall, but then that's standard protocol.
>>>
>>> If I have forgotten anything vitally important, just yell.
>>>
>>> Thanks

>>
>> Hello. Not sure what is causing your problem either but here are a
>> few things to check/try:
>>
>> - Is your firewall software seeing the network access between your
>> and your father's computer? Have you tried disabling it?

>
> Yes it is and yes I have - doesn't make a difference.
>
>

>> - The machines are connected via a direct cable connection? Are you
>> making sure to use a crossover cable if this is the case?

>
> Yep it is - CAT5 crossover.
>

>> - Is your modem dynamically assigning internal IP addies, or are they
>> on static IPs?

>
> Static.
>

>> - Have you tried to ping an internal IP address and look at the
>> stats?

>
> Just done so now, and the results are odd. Gives me a result of 0ms
> for max, min, and average!
>

>> - Have you tried to ping an external IP address and look at the
>> stats?

>
> By external I assume you mean a web-based IP. Yes I have - I've
> pinged your news-server and the results are: Max=182 Min=180
> Average=181. I'm not sure what 'average' is for a bog-standard ASDL
> connection, so I cannot say whether this is slow, fast or normal.
>
> Any other light that you can shed I'll be eternally grateful!

> Cerridwen wrote:

>> hermes wrote:

>>> Cerridwen wrote:
>>>> Please forgive the cross-posts - I didn't really know where best to
>>>> post this as I'm not really sure of the cause.
>>>>
>>>> I don't really know the cause (what I do know is that it's not
>>>> caused by any TSR start-up process as I've spent the better part of
>>>> 2 hours disabling each and rebooting and nothing's made a
>>>> difference), so I'm beginning to wonder if it's a network issue.
>>>>
>>>> I have 2 Dells - a Dimension 8350 (mine) and an Optiplex GX150 (my
>>>> father's). They are connected via their respective integrated
>>>> network cards via a CAT5 cable - they are only about 4' apart (as
>>>> if this should make any difference!). The Optiplex was recently
>>>> upgraded to XP Pro (from 2000) to match mine.
>>>>
>>>> The problem is, I don't even know if it /is/ network related -
>>>> that's just a hunch, as I cannot recall how long it's been doing it
>>>> for.
>>>>
>>>> Basically what happens is this (this happens on mine only, Dad's is
>>>> fine).
>>>>
>>>> Blue scrolling splash (bar scrolls across anything up to two dozen
>>>> times - I know 'cause I've counted!). To logon screen and I enter
>>>> my password and it then hangs for over two minutes (I know, 'cause
>>>> I've timed it!). It's almost as though it's searching for
>>>> something and it will only continue with the logon when it's found
>>>> whatever it is it's looking for. I connect to the net via ADSL and
>>>> the modem is an external USB (yes, I know!) connected to my
>>>> system. It is *not* shared with my father's as he doesn't require
>>>> access.
>>>>
>>>> System specs follow
>>>>
>>>> Mine
>>>> --------
>>>> P4 3.2GHz HT
>>>> 1GB 3500 RAM
>>>> 9800 Pro
>>>> 875E Intel motherboard
>>>> Audigy 2 Platinum
>>>> 2x hard drives (2x250 standard IDE)
>>>> 2x opticals (DVD burner and DVD-ROM)
>>>> NIC integrated in motherboard
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Dad's
>>>> --------
>>>> P3 1GHz
>>>> 256MB RAM
>>>> 40GB hard drive
>>>> CD-ROM
>>>> Everything else integrated on 815 chipset, IIRC, Intel motherboard
>>>>
>>>> As I've just upgraded my father's, I have yet to install SP1 -
>>>> would this make a difference? His system has no such logon issues,
>>>> they are peculiar to mine.
>>>>
>>>> Why do I think it's network related? Well everything to do with
>>>> networking is slow. It takes a full minute to display the contents
>>>> when I click "view network computers" - on my father's it's
>>>> instantaneous! I really don't know where to begin troubleshooting -
>>>> can anyone give me any pointers? Everything to do with networking
>>>> is considerably faster on his, vastly inferior, system.
>>>>
>>>> I know next to nothing about networking - all I want to do is run a
>>>> simple 2-system peer-to-peer network, so we can share the printer
>>>> and files. I mean, it's not rocket science - or is it?!
>>>>
>>>> I just want a computer that will hit the desktop in less time than
>>>> it takes to make a cuppa! Yep, I can go away, boil the kettle, dunk
>>>> the bag and it's only just hit the desktop when I return!
>>>>
>>>> Anyone help this luddite?
>>>>
>>>> Things were so much easier (or so it appeared) in the days of 9x
>>>> and NetBEUI - I just entered a static IP and never had any
>>>> problems!
>>>>
>>>> The system is healthy in all other respects and passed its weekly
>>>> spyware and virus scans yesterday with flying colours! I am running
>>>> a firewall, but then that's standard protocol.
>>>>
>>>> If I have forgotten anything vitally important, just yell.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>
>>> Hello. Not sure what is causing your problem either but here are a
>>> few things to check/try:
>>>
>>> - Is your firewall software seeing the network access between your
>>> and your father's computer? Have you tried disabling it?

>>
>> Yes it is and yes I have - doesn't make a difference.
>>
>>

>>> - The machines are connected via a direct cable connection? Are you
>>> making sure to use a crossover cable if this is the case?

>>
>> Yep it is - CAT5 crossover.
>>

>>> - Is your modem dynamically assigning internal IP addies, or are
>>> they on static IPs?

>>
>> Static.
>>

>>> - Have you tried to ping an internal IP address and look at the
>>> stats?

>>
>> Just done so now, and the results are odd. Gives me a result of 0ms
>> for max, min, and average!
>>

>>> - Have you tried to ping an external IP address and look at the
>>> stats?

>>
>> By external I assume you mean a web-based IP. Yes I have - I've
>> pinged your news-server and the results are: Max=182 Min=180
>> Average=181. I'm not sure what 'average' is for a bog-standard ASDL
>> connection, so I cannot say whether this is slow, fast or normal.
>>
>> Any other light that you can shed I'll be eternally grateful!

>
> Was this occurring before you applied SP1 to your machine?

> I assume you have both computers in the same network workgroup with
> file and print sharing enabled? Does the "client for microsoft
> networks" properties have the same settings on both machines?

> Hmmm, it does seem to be some kind of network related thing. You
> could also try:
>
> - changing out current crossover cable with a known good one

> - Booting and logging into your computer while connected only to dsl

> modem, then connected only via the crossover cable, or connected to
> no outside network components.cmd

> - Ping your machine from your dad's machine to see if it gives the
> same weird stats

> - Borrow a friend's known good router or hub with cables and test in
> place of the crossover cable

> - Create varying hardware profiles where you enable and disable the
> various network connections/devices you have and boot into them

> With each of the above suggestions, if the problem still occurs, ping
> an internal IP address to see if it displays the same wierd stats.
>
> It is also possible that this is some kind of odd low level thing as
> I have dealt with a few machines that have network problems that have
> nothing to do with windows. In all of these cases, resetting or
> upgrading the bios has fixed the problem.

> replace the motherboard battery if you find the bios to be the
> problem (which is possible with an integrated NIC).

> perplexing situation. Post back with what you find. Good luck!

> hermes wrote:

>> Cerridwen wrote:

>>> hermes wrote:
>>>> Cerridwen wrote:
>>>> - Have you tried to ping an internal IP address and look at the
>>>> stats?
>>>
>>> Just done so now, and the results are odd. Gives me a result of 0ms
>>> for max, min, and average!

>>>> - Have you tried to ping an external IP address and look at the
>>>> stats?
>>>
>>> By external I assume you mean a web-based IP. Yes I have - I've
>>> pinged your news-server and the results are: Max=182 Min=180
>>> Average=181. I'm not sure what 'average' is for a bog-standard ASDL
>>> connection, so I cannot say whether this is slow, fast or normal.

>> - Ping your machine from your dad's machine to see if it gives the
>> same weird stats

>
> No it doesn't. From his to mine: - min=2, max=3, ave=2. What does
> this tell you?

>> - Create varying hardware profiles where you enable and disable the
>> various network connections/devices you have and boot into them

>
> I only have one NIC in each system - both on-board Intel.

> One other thing, that may or may not be an issue, is that it's now
> using MAC bridging,and I swear it didn't before, and it was just the
> NIC showing under network connections. Maybe it's bridging that's
> causing the issue this time. I'd like to get rid of it and just go
> back to how it was before (direct connection). I have disabled ICS,
> because it's not required and I've also enabled 1394 connection
> (which was installed with my soundcard I believe, as it's the only
> thing with firewire ports - my system doesn't have firewire as
> standard).