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Client 'drops off' Network

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13 replies

by richimber

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We are running a simple Win2k Server / Win2k Pro Client network. I have a problem with one of my client machines:

When logging into the client, the server happily authenticates domain logins. Once logged in, the client machine can browse the network quite happily and access the internet via the network without a problem. However, as soon as an attempt is made to copy a file over the network, the client 'drops out' into splendid isolation and will not see the network in any way, shape or formwithout a reboot. The problem is then emminently repeatable.

I have checked the event logs on both client and server and there are no eror messages that would explain this.

I've checked the client networking configuration and it is set up identically to our other (fully functional) win2k pro client machines.

I've tried releasing & renewing the ip address.

I've tried removing the machine from the domain then rejoining it.

I've tried replacing the NIC (twice) and using different fly leads.

Nothing makes any difference.

I've never seen anything like this before. Has anybody any ideas what might be causing this & what I can do to solve it ? This has been driving me steadily mad for the better part of a week. I'm open to ANY suggestions !

13 replies

by ann777

Try having another user use the machine in the same way and see if it happens with another profile (In other words, try to isolate the problem to either a computer issue or a user profile or software issue).

by richimber

Thanks for the suggestion. This machine is the only one on the network that exhibits the problem. I've tried several user and administrator accounts and the problem remains the same. It appears, so far at least, therefore to be machine specific.

by kevin_b

Try setting a static IP to see if someone else is using the same one. Another PC may have a problem and isn't releasing the IP as needed so this one bumps into it.

by richimber

Thanks for this suggestion. I haven't tried setting a static ip yet and am currently in another office so it will be a few days before I get the chance. However, if it was an ip conflict I would expect to see some error messages crop up somewhere along the line and there haven't been any that I can find (on the client during login, in the client or server event logs etc.). On the other hand, can you think of any other 'hiding place' for error messages of this kind that I might have forgotton about or missed ?

by sgt_shultz

I would wonder about the wiring inside wall to hub/switch. things to try:
a different, known good wall jack
a different, known good hub port
lock down NIC to 10MB half duplex
hope this helps

by richimber

Thanks for this suggestion. I've tried several different jacks, ports etc. without any joy so I don't believe it's a wiring problem. Have not tried changing the NIC settings though (although I have tried three different NIC's that were working fineon other machines). I'll give it a go and see what happens.

by techkid

sounds like your network settings are corrupt. Uninstall everything in Network Properties (i.e. tcp/ip, Client for MS Networks, file and printer sharing, etc) then reboot. Then install them again and reboot

by richimber

Thanks for this suggestion. Finally got round to trying this out but, unfortunately, it made no difference. I also tried a complete reinstallation of the operating system which also made no difference. I am at my wits end with this thing. ANY additional suggestions are most welcome !

by stryker123

If you've reinstalled the OS, it's probably a hardware issue, try replacing the RAM, harddrive, motherboard, etc. Perhaps install the NIC into a different PCI slot too.

by richimber

Thanks for the suggestion. Tried all the PCI slots with no joy. All components appear sound. Will try a couple of other things before starting to swap out bits of the machine.

by richimber

Thanks to Sgt_Shultz ! Following one of his ideas from an earlier answer I finally got round to playing with the Duplex settings on the NIC and, after some experimentation, found a setting it liked. Finally, it's back in business. Thanks to all who submitted suggestions.

by richimber

Sgt_Shultz, if you would like to submit a 'dummy' answer to this question, I will close out the question against it and you can have the points. Thanks for your help.

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