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NT 4.0 Server Not Allowing Network Saves

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by ce silver

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I have a Compaq ML 370 running NT40 SP6A which frequently will not allow users to save files to it. A reboot fixes the problem, but only temporarily. The server may run for several days to a week with no problems after a reboot, but sometimes it only makes it for several hours. When the server is acting up, a popup will appear stating that the network drive is unavailable when a user attempts to open or save a file. Sometimes they just get the hour glass. If I log on to the machine locallywhile it is experiencing the problem, the Start menu is incredibly slow, popping up one line at a time. Processor utilization is only running 0-3%. I have disabled all unnecessary services trying to isolate the problem but to no avail. Compaq analyzed my Array controller and drives and determined it was not a hardware issue but a software one. Windows diagnostics detects no problems. Occasionally on a reboot, the system will run CHKDSK which made me think I had an Array issue. Anyone haveany suggestions on how to isolate and correct this issue? My next step is to reinstall the OS.

5 replies

by joris_boose

There's virtually no processor utilization, so it could be that the server has a problem with it's (virtual) memory. It could be that there's an application on the server that leaks memory (it doens't release used memory space). After a period of time the memory available is to low to do the jobs and the users will get problems connecting the server. Use performance monitor to see if the server is low on memory. Possibly you can see a decrease in available memory over time.

by sgt_shultz

what has changed? when did this problem start occurring? any new phone wiring/remodeling/painting? any new computers on the network. any new network cards anywhere?
when the users get the network drive busy popup, can you ping the server right thenfrom computer showing error?
is anything showing up in the event logs after these 'hangs'?
when you see the server hanging, slow start menu, very busy, can you see it hammering the hard disk? can you monitor with diskperf or something?
can you tell what network traffic is happening then?
do you run firewall software?
do you run antivirus software? what is the server's function: file sharing only?
got a data backup? got recent repair files with security info?
can you for an experiment, reboot the thing every morning? if that is practical, do it and watch to see the effect on the problem. if it is os related (like leaking app) I would expect things to improve considerably. if it a hardware problem, i would expect it to have little effect. not a bullet proof test but maybe easy and informative if practical for you.
i think the system monitoring tools and event log are your best tools.
i had a problem like this and finally i noticed the system was only reporting half the ram is used to. fixed it by replacing a failed ram module. so i guess i mean, start from the beginning, observe everything carefully, don't jump to conclusions...
good luck.
also try reapplying the service pack if you have added hardware or software...

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