My Home LAN is not working well, neep help

[satwar]

I originally had a Win98SE PC direct wired to a DI-624 router, for easy Internet access and security. I then activated the wireless function in order to connect to a Gaming Bridge DWL-G820. Everything seemed to work fine.

Then I added a couple of Vista laptops to the wireless network and a network HDD via wired DNS-120 to USB HDD. This has become hell for me.

Each Vista machine has no problem connecting to and browsing the Win98 machine & network HDD, but when I try to look in the Public folder of the other Vista machine, sometimes it works but often I'll get an error message about there being no such machine name on the network. Other times I can get to the Public folder but when I try to open it, the wheels start spinning and pretty soon Explorer crashes. I've also noticed that the CPU on the machine I'm connecting to, goes to maximum overdrive and stays there. I usually have to force the computer off.

I've also tried backup tasks from the Vista machines to the network HDD and they always fail, saying can't find computer with that name. I seem to be able to readily find and browse the HDD however, from either Vista machine.

I even tried installing a newer router DIR-625, which seemed to solve the broadcast flag issue, but all other problems remain.

Can anyone help me figure out what's going wrong ?

P.S. I've shut off everything but the two Vista machines and I still have all the same problems.

[satwar]

I forgot to say that all machines seem to have excellent Internet service, which is the main purpose of the network.

It sure would be nice to have reliable file transfer working though.

[satwar]

Did an interesting Ping test tonight.

Two abnormal results:
(1) Ping test did not work on WIN98 machine because of Agnitum Outpost Firewall. This firewall is difficult to master.

(2) Ping test to other Vista machine very slow response 200ms compared to all other devices at 0 ms. Need to figure out what is killing the response.

Any suggestions on how to resolve these issues, please let me know.

[johnwill]

Try booting the offending Vista machine in Safe Mode with Networking and see if that changes the symptoms.

[satwar]

Will do.

Some more information. The Vista x32 laptop frequently failed the ping test (50%) to the Vista x64 and successful returns were 200 ms. The Vista x64 pinged the Vista x32 @ 200 ms and never failed.

On a whim I disabled netbios on both Vista laptops. The Vista x64 now pings the Vista x32 @ 0 ms and the Vista x32 still pings the Vista x64 @ 200 ms but without any complete failures.

Why does disabling netbios have such an impact ?

[johnwill]

NETBIOS shouldn't have that effect, and will be necessary for browsing.

Try this repair on each of the systems.

TCP/IP stack repair options for use with Windows Vista.

Start, Programs\Accessories and right click on Command Prompt, select "Run as Administrator" to open a command prompt.

In the command prompt window that opens, type type the following commands:

Reset WINSOCK entries to installation defaults: netsh winsock reset catalog

Reset IPv4 TCP/IP stack to installation defaults. netsh int ipv4 reset reset.log

Reset IPv6 TCP/IP stack to installation defaults. netsh int ipv6 reset reset.log

Reboot the machine.

[satwar]

Okay John, I've duplicated this enough times that I'm confident to report that the behaviour with pinging is the same in Safe Mode with Networking as it is in Normal operation.

Secondly, the only abnormally slow ping (200 ms) is going out from Vista x64 laptop & Win98 PC to Vista x32 laptop. All other pings are 0-2 ms.

Does this help narrow the problem any ? Seems to me the Vista x32 laptop has a response problem.

[satwar]

Performed repairs as per your reuest on both Vista laptops, but no change in problem. Still very slow ping returns from Vista x32 laptop of 200 ms compared to 0-2 ms for all other devices on network.

[johnwill]

I'd be looking for something running on the slow machine that is affecting it.

Have you done the usual stuff, updated the drivers, changed channels on the router, etc.?

[satwar]

Yes John I spent the entire evening updating drivers on network cards and firmware on router. No change unfortunately even when running slow machine in Safe Mode with Networking. What could possibly be running in safe mode ?

[johnwill]

Sounds more like drivers or perhaps hardware issues.

[satwar]

Yes I was afraid you were going to say that. Acer customer support is totally useless, but I guess I have to write a letter. :(

Thanks for you help and advice.

[johnwill]

Originally Posted by martin26

Hi,
Check IP addresses well. Proper refresh is must. Keep anti virus software.
Keep passwords.

---------
martin

widecircles

What that will do for the problem stated is a mystery. Perhaps you should read the whole thread before offering "solutions".

[satwar]

Well I contacted Acer this morning and they said because I can surf the web just fine with either computer it must be a software problem, and they are not responsible.

Maybe they are right, Vista may have done me in for LAN networking.

[johnwill]

martin26, last warning. Please don't post nonsensical stuff into the threads if you have no idea what you're talking about.

[satwar]

Hi John,

I stumbled upon an interesting occurence this morning. I disconnected the new D-Link DIR-625 and replaced with my old DI-624 and the ping response time on the Vista laptop with Intel Wireless Pro 3945 ABG network device dropped from 200 ms to 50 ms. The two routers were configured identically, so I was surprised that the router could have such a great effect. Unfortunately still not good enough.

Perhaps I have to wait for these new "Certified for Vista" routers to hit the market before LAN Vista communications will behave properly.

[satwar]

Also ordered the faster Intel Wireless Pro mobile card, they are only $30. That should solve my ping response issues.

Unfortunately I don't think it will solve my Vista LAN problems !

[johnwill]

For Vista on the older router, try a couple of things.

Upgrade the firmware to the latest available and then reset to factory defaults and reconfigure the router.

Take a look at these fixes for Vista as well.

Changes that may help to increase the compatibility of Vista with older networking devices:



Disable the IP Helper service:

1. Hold the Windows key and type R, enter "services.msc" (without the quotes) and press Enter
2. Scroll down to the IP Helper service, right click on it and select Properties
3. In the dropdown box that says "Automatic" or "Manual", set it to Disabled and then click on "Apply"
4. Then click on "Stop" to stop the service from running in the current session
5. Click OK to exit the dialog



Disable IPv6:

1. Hold the Windows key and type R, enter "ncpa.cpl" (without the quotes) and press Enter
2. Right click on each network connection and select "Properties"
3. Remove the checkmark from the box next to "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)
4. Click OK to exit the dialog

NOTE: You should do this for each network connection.



Disable the DHCP Broadcast Flag:

Link: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/928233

1. Hold the Windows key and type R, enter regedit and press Enter.
2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
3. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces\{GUID}
4. In this registry path, click the (GUID) subkey to be updated.
5. If the key DhcpConnForceBroadcastFlag does not exist, use the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD (32-bit) Value. In the New Value #1 box, type DhcpConnForceBroadcastFlag, and then press ENTER. If the key exists, skip this step.
6. Right-click DhcpConnForceBroadcastFlag, and then click Modify.
7. In the Value data box, type 0, and then click OK.
8. Close Registry Editor.

NOTE: You should do this for each and every GUID subkey.
NOTE2: (GUID) is a mnemonic for the individual subkeys, the actual text "GUID" does not appaer.




The only program I'm aware of that currently relies on IPv6 is the new Windows Meeting Space. The first 2 changes will cause that program not to work - but will leave all of your normal (IPv4) connections unaffected. If it causes problems that you can't overcome, simply revert back to the original settings.

[satwar]

Thanks for the ides John,

I was aware of the Dhcp fix but it didn't help, but the others I'm not so familiar with. I'll give them a try tonight and let you know.

I'll owe you a case of beer if you can make this work. :)

[johnwill]

It'll have to be "virtual" beer unless you're coming to my town.