Server Explorer Lockups

A couple of thoughts: Check Arcserve logs to see if anything strange is happening. I have one remote site that should be finishing its backup at 6AM at the latest but it's still running and I can't even get into the log to look.

Also check Diskeeper for any inappropriate behavior.

I'll check back to your site for updates.

Ok first question when did you go to SP6a? I know several people have had problems with this SP. I assume you've reapplied SP6a just in case something got corrupt and to update the additional printer drivers that you added?? Have you updated your virus software and ran a full scan on the server lately could be a virus...

I would look at getting the latest JetAdmin, and possibly using WinAT from the NT Resource Kit for your automation. WinAT works with the built in AT (Automatic Timer) service, and *could* be in conflict with your other automation/scheduling app.

Also, tap [Ctrl][Alt][Del] and bring up the Task Manager. Is there any one task taking an exorbitant amount of CPU time?

Hi,
A few of things come to mind that might help you solve your issue. You may have already tried these.
1. Restart the computer with your setup disks and try running a recovery on it. This may require an up to date Emergency Recovery Disk (ERD).2. I beileve you can run a reinstall and keep the registry settings.
3. Run a full installation. Your programs should still be okay, but you may have to reinstall some. Also, you'll want to make sure you have your settings information on paper because you will loose some of them.

Good luck,

Al

Update the JetAdmin software if applicable. Also verify that the firmware on the jetdirect cards is current. Have seen older HP cards cause alot of network conflicts and use alot of server resources.

Check power management in the bios. If that helps good. If that doesn't solve it, also reinstall the network settings, never had this prob. with a server, but we have had them with some desktops.

Check power management in the bios. If that helps good. If that doesn't solve it, also reinstall the network settings, never had this prob. with a server, but we have had them with some desktops.

I have seen this type of problem with w2kpro clients assuming the role of browse master over the NT4 PDC or locally designated browse master. Apparently the election weight is higher with w2k. Random services seem to hang with no explanation logged.It can be rectified by disabling NetBIOS over TCP/IP on the w2kpro machines.

Given you've added printers, you may be hitting a problem with TCP/IP printing.
See Microsoft KB article Q179156. This details some registry entries that may help the situation [they won't hurt].

Also, you may want to bringup PerfMon or Task Manager as well to review what's using resources [if there is a resource contention issue].

-tony

I would look into PCAnywhere. I have seen it cause similar problems with explorer ie. locking up.

Are you running PCAnywhere as a service? if you are don't. run it as an application. Also did you get the multiprocessor update for PCAnywhere?

I would uninstall PCAnywhere and see if the problem goes away. Like I said Ihave seen instances where PCAnywhere locks up explorer. If that is the problem, let me know and I can recommend a great remote control app. inexpensive as well.

Seems to me, you have wrong registry size. Check:
CP->System->Performance->Registry Size
If your Current Size >= Maximum, you may have exactly what you have now. :) Change Maximum Size to be equal 1.2-1.5 of your Current size (e.g. for Current Size=20Mb, set Maximum Size=24Mb).
Also, check there your swap size. It suppose to be 1.25-2.0 times bigger than your physical memory size. If you relocated your swapfile from the system partition (where you have your WINNT directory) to another one, make sure, you left at least 2-8Mb swapfile on NT system partition.
Actually, if nothing helps, I'll give you several more ideas and/or references where to obtain information.

Well, I am not familiar with servers at all. heck, i'm just a 17 year old kid. but, from my experience, lock ups like that might come from these: 1) look in the registry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Runonce
for any unidentifed programs that load up during startup. also check HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx
for unidentified programs too. check the startup folder in the start menu for the same thing. 2) maybe some drivers got messed up when you installed more printers, or something. check the "Hardware Config" in the system control panel for any messed up hardware. 3) it could be as simple as a system file got overwritten by an older version. it's hard to tell when there are so many system files. but, maybe you can check some, like VB run times, and all that. Reinstall your current service pack and see if that helps. That's all the ideas i have.

With all the good answers from others it looks like either the extra printers are filling the hard drive with qued print jobs or, the explorer program itself has been damaged and will need to be reinstalled.... sorry.

Two Thoughts on your problem, have you checked to make sure that you only have one default gateway specified between the two Network Cards? Typically the nic facing the firewall. Also have you checked to see if there are any invalid maps from thatone server to another locale? Just some thoughts.

Hey there ....

I have had exactly the same problem, I was running my PDC NT4 on SP6a and it kept locking explorer. The three finger salute was the only way round it.

It was easily cured by returning to SP5...
I scoured the Technet about this, and as you would expect there was nothing available.

My PDC is also a dual processor box. Mine is a Dell Poweredge, not sure what yours is as you dont say but, I spoke to Dell and they were adamant that it was the new Service Pack That was causing my problems. They suggested that i returned no SP5. But as you probably know when you install multiple SP's it becomes imensely difficult to go back a step t the prev ver of the SP you had.. So unless you have a full system back to restore such as a PowerQuest Image or a Norton Ghost Image.. I suggest that you create one and try to uninstall SP6a. Apparently it crashes Explorer when it comes accross certain applications when they try to perform tasks on files that the system has locked... Such as Diskeeper defragging the SAM Database...

Hope that this has helped
Tony

Earthwork if you want amy more info email me on
pc_tony@yahoo.com

What version of IE are you running. You may want to try upgrading to 5.5. This may help the lockup problems. At this point you might as well try anything.

Earthworm: We have had the same problem - 1 Pentium II 400 MHz, one Athlon 500 MHz both running NT 4.0 with Service Pack 5, Office97, Office 2000, PCAnywhere, and a host of other software packages and suites, against a firewall. The solution for the PII was a new motherboard and processor. We suspect the problem with the Athlon is overheating. Understand your time crunch, but hope this helps.

Update 8/11/00

Yesterday I Uninstalled Arcserve, and re-installed it to run as a service so I can manage it from my workstation. This fixed all the problems I was having with arcserve, but none of my lockup problems.

I next went and updated all of my HP Jetdirect cards Firmware. And re-applied SP6a to NT.

Today Explorer locked up on me again.

I guess more information is needed, since we have covered almost all of the programs I listed. So here is more info on the Network side.2 Subnets are being used. 1 for all of the Workstations and 1 for the Proxy Server.

The First NIC runs to 1 10/100Mb 3com hub that Branches to one 10/100Mb, one 10Mb, and one 100Mb, these all run our workstations.

The Second NIC in the server runs to a 100Mb hub that goes to the Proxy.

All Workstations are Win95 thru Win98se, and a few WinNT Workstations.

We are running Strictly TCP/IP, no other Protocols are installed on any of the workstations.

Any other information youthink will be helpful feel free to ask.

DUmp JetAdmin and set your printers to run as tcp/ip clients using MS printing services. We use to use JetAdmin on upwards to 25 printers and had nothing but problems, removed JetAdmin and the problems your noted disapperaed.

I agree with bearqst about JetAdmin. We stay clear of it. Also, you can look at something simple and stupid - screen saver settings. A stupid "magic wand" fix that has worked on several machines was to set the screen saver to "blank screen" with at least a 30 minute interval. The 30 minute interval itself used to resolve a GUI lockup problem with Logitech mice. This problem mostly disappeared with SP3, but the solution may help you.

I looked at you web-posting, and have experienced a few things similar. When it locks up, after doing C-A-D, can you enter task-manager instead of rebooting. The first time I hit this problem I found I would have one to three instances of DR Watson running. After I setup Dr Watson to catch a small amount of data to a special file, I found the culprit. In my case it was MTS and went away with sp5. Other than Dr Watson, use task manager to find the top ten processes for CPU time. A possible quickfix is to check all desktop shortcuts for referrences to unc names or drives connected to shares on another machine. If there, move them to a folder NOT under winnt\profiles. Then place a shrtcut to the folder on your desktop. Try switching to WebJetAdmin on another device. Uninstall JetAdmin and load the new HP NetPrinter Wizard. While doing this delete all JetAdmin defined ports and make new ones with the wizard. Then reconnect the Printers with the new ports. Note that WebJA will work on NT Wrkstn with Personal Webserver. If no luck please post ten hich cpu processes for more detailed help. Good Luck

First off I am sorry for taking so long to post comments to this question. I tried to close this thread twice after Techrepublic went to the new format, and it failed both times. Then I actually had to re-install NT on the server and have been putting out smaller fires ever since. I am finally back to running normal, so I thought I would make it here and try once more to close this question.

My purpose to posting this question was to see if their was any other alternative to re-installingwindows, and although All of these answers were really good answers none of them helped to that end. So I am not awarding the points. Sorry Guys.

This question was closed by the author

PS I Did origionally have seperate answers to each and every suggestion on this thread, but after typing them completely twice I decided not to answer them all individually this time, although this time I noticed it actually closed.