S L O W Windows Networking

In the off chance someone has an idea, what would be a logical
explanation to a couple of windows machines, linked via a simple cheap
switch, both forced to full duplex 100mb - taking nearly 2 days to
transfer 10 2gb files from one box to the other?

Should I focus on the core operating system, NIC's or switch. I have my
own inclination - but some other takes on it would be most welcome.

 

That sounds a bit long .... for a 10Mb hub :-(

A bit more info could be useful: which operating system and service pack
(ISTR Vista had a problem with indexing and transfers for a large number
of files when the receiving folder was open);

why "force" 100Mb? what happens if you use auto-negotiate?

have you tried different cables?

--
PeeGee

"Nothing should be able to load itself onto a computer without the
knowledge or consent of the computer user. Software should also be able
to be removed from a computer easily."
Peter Cullen, Microsoft Chief Privacy Strategist (Computing 18 Aug 05)

 

Disable your AV software.

 

There are a pair of old XP SP2 machines. I forced 100mbps FD on both in
an attempt to speed things up. It's made no difference from the previous
'auto-neg'. I don't get any issues when I kick stuff through the same
switch with smb on my linux boxes - it's just these two 'laughing boys'
that are acting up.

Cables have been changed (yep - been bitten on that before), switch ports
etc.

 

I'd already done that but thanks for the suggestion. Also kicked out the
old free 'zoneminder' that was running just in case that was messing with
it, but no dice.

I've got to thank Alex for his suggestions - my networking tab on task
manager gives me no throughput speed. It just shows the link at 100m and
a couple of % utilisation.

 

I've had problems with XP when trying to do more than 1 copy/move at the
same time between mapped drives. Everything grinds to a halt, I now try
to be patient and run one copy/move window at a time.

 

It finally finished so to try and trouble shoot I've copied one 2g file
from each box through the same switch to a samba share on a linux box.
This was much quicker. It's really odd behaviour to see. The issue seems
to be when the only xp boxes I have try to talk. I may look at spending
some more time with it.

 

try wireshark on 1 or both of the PCs.

you should be able to capture part of the transfer and see what isnt
happening

 

I already tried a tcpdump and looked at it in wireshark. The TCP
conversation is normal (SYN/ACK) - no retransmissions or anything odd
going on. I'll look at it a bit more closely in a couple of weeks. I
don't use Windows that much for it to be an issue, I'd just like to get
to the bottom of it. Thanks for everybody who took the time and trouble
to make suggestions. Much appreciated.