Peer2Peer Slowdown

[SpeedGuidePhil]

My bro has a network slow-down problem, and I am trying to find out how to see what is wrong.

Some months ago we setup a small peer-to-peer network with 3 XP machines and one 98SE machine. Used a LINKSYS 5 port ETHERFAST 10/100 EZXS55W.V2 switch. All had been well.

Recently, for example when from one machine you try to access a WORD document that is on another machine, the machine "hangs" for a minute before either you do get the document open or you get no document and in the upper right of WORD it says "(NOT RESPONDING)".

I need an idea of what to look for when I do go check the setup tomorrow. So any suggestions will be appreciated!

TIA,
Phil

[SpeedGuidePhil]

22 looks and no suggestions?

:(

[YeOldeStonecat]

Sounds more like a "health issue" of the machine hosting the documents.

What protocols you using on your network, same on all 3?

Good patch cables, not plopped near anything that introduces bad interference to the network, such as run along some flourescent lighting or any speakers...anything that would kill network traffic with EMI?

Try switching ports around on your little switch to rule out a bad port?

[SpeedGuidePhil]

Thanks for replying! :)

AFAIK, knothing has changed as far as positions of the CAT 5 cables.

I will try changing positions of cables on the switch itself.


Are there any free utilities that will try and diagnose the network connections?

TIA
Phil

[SpeedGuidePhil]

Had them AGAIN reboot the WIN 98SE machine (that hosted the documents), run SCANDISK, reboot again. Rebooted all other machines and PRESTO - no more problem.

Nothing stands out as *what* was wrong, but the standard MS fix-all of rebooting seems to have fixed whatever was wrong.


network handshaking maybe was all confused?