Slow file copying

I wonder if any of you have experienced this problem and/or know how to fix
it...

We've got a Dell PowerEdge 6300 with 2x 500MHz Xeon processors & 1GB RAM
running Windows Server 2003 standard. We've also got an Adaptec S-ATA RAID
card mirroring 2x 120GB S-ATA hard disks which the OS is installed on. The
server is a DC in a small domain of 3 DCs and one or two workstations (while
we test the domain).

For some very strange reason, when we try to copy large files (>1GB in size)
to the server (via a mapped drive or UNC path) the remaining copy time gets
down to 10 remaining seconds and then starts working it's way up. It's
several hours before the copy finally finishes. This happens regardless of
client PC OS (Windows 2000 Pro, XP), whether the client is a member of the
Domain or not, and regardless of where the client is on the network (we get
the same problems with the client connected to the same switch as the
server). The problem is also evident when we GHOST from a DOS session, on a
mapped drive to the server.

I've tried installing a couple of hotfixes from Microsoft that claim to fix
similar problems but they don't help. I've updated the network card drivers
from Intel and the S-ATA RAID drivers from Adaptec, and the problem is still
occurring.

I'm stuck for solutions or anything else I can try. Does anyone have any
suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

--

Andrew Perry (Network & Servers Officer),
Computer Office,
Trinity College,
Trinity Street,
Cambridge,
CB2 1TQ.

Have you tried xcopy command? In my experience, xcopy command is a lot faster
than using Windows GUI.

"Andrew Perry" wrote:

> I wonder if any of you have experienced this problem and/or know how to fix
> it...
>
> We've got a Dell PowerEdge 6300 with 2x 500MHz Xeon processors & 1GB RAM
> running Windows Server 2003 standard. We've also got an Adaptec S-ATA RAID
> card mirroring 2x 120GB S-ATA hard disks which the OS is installed on. The
> server is a DC in a small domain of 3 DCs and one or two workstations (while
> we test the domain).
>
> For some very strange reason, when we try to copy large files (>1GB in size)
> to the server (via a mapped drive or UNC path) the remaining copy time gets
> down to 10 remaining seconds and then starts working it's way up. It's
> several hours before the copy finally finishes. This happens regardless of
> client PC OS (Windows 2000 Pro, XP), whether the client is a member of the
> Domain or not, and regardless of where the client is on the network (we get
> the same problems with the client connected to the same switch as the
> server). The problem is also evident when we GHOST from a DOS session, on a
> mapped drive to the server.
>
> I've tried installing a couple of hotfixes from Microsoft that claim to fix
> similar problems but they don't help. I've updated the network card drivers
> from Intel and the S-ATA RAID drivers from Adaptec, and the problem is still
> occurring.
>
> I'm stuck for solutions or anything else I can try. Does anyone have any
> suggestions?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> --
>
> Andrew Perry (Network & Servers Officer),
> Computer Office,
> Trinity College,
> Trinity Street,
> Cambridge,
> CB2 1TQ.
>
>
>

Here is what I would try, since this is happening regardless from what client
PC you copy then this is server problem, check the NIC properties if it is
set to Automatic then change it to 100 Full Duplex, if it is 100 Full Duplex
already then change it to Automatic... give it a try, I have seen it before,
for the testing purpose try copy smaller file i.e. 50 MB see how long it
takes now and after change

Rafal
MCSE, MCDBA

"Andrew Perry" wrote:

> I wonder if any of you have experienced this problem and/or know how to fix
> it...
>
> We've got a Dell PowerEdge 6300 with 2x 500MHz Xeon processors & 1GB RAM
> running Windows Server 2003 standard. We've also got an Adaptec S-ATA RAID
> card mirroring 2x 120GB S-ATA hard disks which the OS is installed on. The
> server is a DC in a small domain of 3 DCs and one or two workstations (while
> we test the domain).
>
> For some very strange reason, when we try to copy large files (>1GB in size)
> to the server (via a mapped drive or UNC path) the remaining copy time gets
> down to 10 remaining seconds and then starts working it's way up. It's
> several hours before the copy finally finishes. This happens regardless of
> client PC OS (Windows 2000 Pro, XP), whether the client is a member of the
> Domain or not, and regardless of where the client is on the network (we get
> the same problems with the client connected to the same switch as the
> server). The problem is also evident when we GHOST from a DOS session, on a
> mapped drive to the server.
>
> I've tried installing a couple of hotfixes from Microsoft that claim to fix
> similar problems but they don't help. I've updated the network card drivers
> from Intel and the S-ATA RAID drivers from Adaptec, and the problem is still
> occurring.
>
> I'm stuck for solutions or anything else I can try. Does anyone have any
> suggestions?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> --
>
> Andrew Perry (Network & Servers Officer),
> Computer Office,
> Trinity College,
> Trinity Street,
> Cambridge,
> CB2 1TQ.
>
>
>

XCopy was one of the first things I tried but unfortunately it suffered from
the same problems.

Thanks,


-Andrew

"TheThaiTech" wrote:

> Have you tried xcopy command? In my experience, xcopy command is a lot faster
> than using Windows GUI.
>
> "Andrew Perry" wrote:
>
> > I wonder if any of you have experienced this problem and/or know how to fix
> > it...
> >
> > We've got a Dell PowerEdge 6300 with 2x 500MHz Xeon processors & 1GB RAM
> > running Windows Server 2003 standard. We've also got an Adaptec S-ATA RAID
> > card mirroring 2x 120GB S-ATA hard disks which the OS is installed on. The
> > server is a DC in a small domain of 3 DCs and one or two workstations (while
> > we test the domain).
> >
> > For some very strange reason, when we try to copy large files (>1GB in size)
> > to the server (via a mapped drive or UNC path) the remaining copy time gets
> > down to 10 remaining seconds and then starts working it's way up. It's
> > several hours before the copy finally finishes. This happens regardless of
> > client PC OS (Windows 2000 Pro, XP), whether the client is a member of the
> > Domain or not, and regardless of where the client is on the network (we get
> > the same problems with the client connected to the same switch as the
> > server). The problem is also evident when we GHOST from a DOS session, on a
> > mapped drive to the server.
> >
> > I've tried installing a couple of hotfixes from Microsoft that claim to fix
> > similar problems but they don't help. I've updated the network card drivers
> > from Intel and the S-ATA RAID drivers from Adaptec, and the problem is still
> > occurring.
> >
> > I'm stuck for solutions or anything else I can try. Does anyone have any
> > suggestions?
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
> >
> > --
> >
> > Andrew Perry (Network & Servers Officer),
> > Computer Office,
> > Trinity College,
> > Trinity Street,
> > Cambridge,
> > CB2 1TQ.
> >
> >
> >

Thanks for the suggestion. I've tried changing the speed & duplex setting on
the server, the switch the server is connected to and the client computers.
Unfortunately it makes no difference to the copying problem. :-(

Any other suggestions?

Regards,


-Andrew

"Rafal W." wrote:

> Here is what I would try, since this is happening regardless from what client
> PC you copy then this is server problem, check the NIC properties if it is
> set to Automatic then change it to 100 Full Duplex, if it is 100 Full Duplex
> already then change it to Automatic... give it a try, I have seen it before,
> for the testing purpose try copy smaller file i.e. 50 MB see how long it
> takes now and after change
>
> Rafal
> MCSE, MCDBA
>
> "Andrew Perry" wrote:
>
> > I wonder if any of you have experienced this problem and/or know how to fix
> > it...
> >
> > We've got a Dell PowerEdge 6300 with 2x 500MHz Xeon processors & 1GB RAM
> > running Windows Server 2003 standard. We've also got an Adaptec S-ATA RAID
> > card mirroring 2x 120GB S-ATA hard disks which the OS is installed on. The
> > server is a DC in a small domain of 3 DCs and one or two workstations (while
> > we test the domain).
> >
> > For some very strange reason, when we try to copy large files (>1GB in size)
> > to the server (via a mapped drive or UNC path) the remaining copy time gets
> > down to 10 remaining seconds and then starts working it's way up. It's
> > several hours before the copy finally finishes. This happens regardless of
> > client PC OS (Windows 2000 Pro, XP), whether the client is a member of the
> > Domain or not, and regardless of where the client is on the network (we get
> > the same problems with the client connected to the same switch as the
> > server). The problem is also evident when we GHOST from a DOS session, on a
> > mapped drive to the server.
> >
> > I've tried installing a couple of hotfixes from Microsoft that claim to fix
> > similar problems but they don't help. I've updated the network card drivers
> > from Intel and the S-ATA RAID drivers from Adaptec, and the problem is still
> > occurring.
> >
> > I'm stuck for solutions or anything else I can try. Does anyone have any
> > suggestions?
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
> >
> > --
> >
> > Andrew Perry (Network & Servers Officer),
> > Computer Office,
> > Trinity College,
> > Trinity Street,
> > Cambridge,
> > CB2 1TQ.
> >
> >
> >

Are you able to copy large files from / too any other computers, attached to
the same switch - (other servers or to other PC's)? It may / may not have
anything to do with the server - but the port / switch it's connected too.
Try a different switch if avail., try a direct connection via cross-over (if
possible) and see if you still have the same problem?

"Andrew Perry" wrote:

> I wonder if any of you have experienced this problem and/or know how to fix
> it...
>
> We've got a Dell PowerEdge 6300 with 2x 500MHz Xeon processors & 1GB RAM
> running Windows Server 2003 standard. We've also got an Adaptec S-ATA RAID
> card mirroring 2x 120GB S-ATA hard disks which the OS is installed on. The
> server is a DC in a small domain of 3 DCs and one or two workstations (while
> we test the domain).
>
> For some very strange reason, when we try to copy large files (>1GB in size)
> to the server (via a mapped drive or UNC path) the remaining copy time gets
> down to 10 remaining seconds and then starts working it's way up. It's
> several hours before the copy finally finishes. This happens regardless of
> client PC OS (Windows 2000 Pro, XP), whether the client is a member of the
> Domain or not, and regardless of where the client is on the network (we get
> the same problems with the client connected to the same switch as the
> server). The problem is also evident when we GHOST from a DOS session, on a
> mapped drive to the server.
>
> I've tried installing a couple of hotfixes from Microsoft that claim to fix
> similar problems but they don't help. I've updated the network card drivers
> from Intel and the S-ATA RAID drivers from Adaptec, and the problem is still
> occurring.
>
> I'm stuck for solutions or anything else I can try. Does anyone have any
> suggestions?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> --
>
> Andrew Perry (Network & Servers Officer),
> Computer Office,
> Trinity College,
> Trinity Street,
> Cambridge,
> CB2 1TQ.
>
>
>

Andrew,

Have you managed to sort this problem? I'm having a similar issue but with a
Dell PowerEdge 1600SC (2gb ram, 1x 2.4ghz Xeon, Intel Pro 1000 MT NIC). If I
copy 20mb of files from my XP pro machine to the 2003 server it can take up
to 20 minutes, which is crazy. Logon scripts and group policies are taking
forever to run whenever a workstation is booted.

If you have any suggestions or hints as to how you fixed yours it would be
greatly appreciated.

Regards

Ben


"Andrew Perry" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:d1bk4n$9ed$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I wonder if any of you have experienced this problem and/or know how to
fix
> it...
>
> We've got a Dell PowerEdge 6300 with 2x 500MHz Xeon processors & 1GB RAM
> running Windows Server 2003 standard. We've also got an Adaptec S-ATA RAID
> card mirroring 2x 120GB S-ATA hard disks which the OS is installed on. The
> server is a DC in a small domain of 3 DCs and one or two workstations
(while
> we test the domain).
>
> For some very strange reason, when we try to copy large files (>1GB in
size)
> to the server (via a mapped drive or UNC path) the remaining copy time
gets
> down to 10 remaining seconds and then starts working it's way up. It's
> several hours before the copy finally finishes. This happens regardless of
> client PC OS (Windows 2000 Pro, XP), whether the client is a member of the
> Domain or not, and regardless of where the client is on the network (we
get
> the same problems with the client connected to the same switch as the
> server). The problem is also evident when we GHOST from a DOS session, on
a
> mapped drive to the server.
>
> I've tried installing a couple of hotfixes from Microsoft that claim to
fix
> similar problems but they don't help. I've updated the network card
drivers
> from Intel and the S-ATA RAID drivers from Adaptec, and the problem is
still
> occurring.
>
> I'm stuck for solutions or anything else I can try. Does anyone have any
> suggestions?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> --
>
> Andrew Perry (Network & Servers Officer),
> Computer Office,
> Trinity College,
> Trinity Street,
> Cambridge,
> CB2 1TQ.
>
>

see this http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;885189

"Andrew Perry" wrote:

>
> Thanks for the suggestion. I've tried changing the speed & duplex setting on
> the server, the switch the server is connected to and the client computers.
> Unfortunately it makes no difference to the copying problem. :-(
>
> Any other suggestions?
>
> Regards,
>
>
> -Andrew
>
> "Rafal W." wrote:
>
> > Here is what I would try, since this is happening regardless from what client
> > PC you copy then this is server problem, check the NIC properties if it is
> > set to Automatic then change it to 100 Full Duplex, if it is 100 Full Duplex
> > already then change it to Automatic... give it a try, I have seen it before,
> > for the testing purpose try copy smaller file i.e. 50 MB see how long it
> > takes now and after change
> >
> > Rafal
> > MCSE, MCDBA
> >
> > "Andrew Perry" wrote:
> >
> > > I wonder if any of you have experienced this problem and/or know how to fix
> > > it...
> > >
> > > We've got a Dell PowerEdge 6300 with 2x 500MHz Xeon processors & 1GB RAM
> > > running Windows Server 2003 standard. We've also got an Adaptec S-ATA RAID
> > > card mirroring 2x 120GB S-ATA hard disks which the OS is installed on. The
> > > server is a DC in a small domain of 3 DCs and one or two workstations (while
> > > we test the domain).
> > >
> > > For some very strange reason, when we try to copy large files (>1GB in size)
> > > to the server (via a mapped drive or UNC path) the remaining copy time gets
> > > down to 10 remaining seconds and then starts working it's way up. It's
> > > several hours before the copy finally finishes. This happens regardless of
> > > client PC OS (Windows 2000 Pro, XP), whether the client is a member of the
> > > Domain or not, and regardless of where the client is on the network (we get
> > > the same problems with the client connected to the same switch as the
> > > server). The problem is also evident when we GHOST from a DOS session, on a
> > > mapped drive to the server.
> > >
> > > I've tried installing a couple of hotfixes from Microsoft that claim to fix
> > > similar problems but they don't help. I've updated the network card drivers
> > > from Intel and the S-ATA RAID drivers from Adaptec, and the problem is still
> > > occurring.
> > >
> > > I'm stuck for solutions or anything else I can try. Does anyone have any
> > > suggestions?
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance.
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> > > Andrew Perry (Network & Servers Officer),
> > > Computer Office,
> > > Trinity College,
> > > Trinity Street,
> > > Cambridge,
> > > CB2 1TQ.
> > >
> > >
> > >

Andrew, try setting your servers NIC to auto detect media type. I had a
similar problem to you, tried everything else, then eventually set the card
to auto detect and it discovered 1GB speed, tested by copying 20mb files
across and it took 5 seconds, rather than the 15 minutes before.

Ben


"Andrew Perry" <Andrew (E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:AAE4ADE6-63EE-4E77-B25D-(E-Mail Removed)...
> XCopy was one of the first things I tried but unfortunately it suffered
> from
> the same problems.
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> -Andrew
>
> "TheThaiTech" wrote:
>
>> Have you tried xcopy command? In my experience, xcopy command is a lot
>> faster
>> than using Windows GUI.
>>
>> "Andrew Perry" wrote:
>>
>> > I wonder if any of you have experienced this problem and/or know how to
>> > fix
>> > it...
>> >
>> > We've got a Dell PowerEdge 6300 with 2x 500MHz Xeon processors & 1GB
>> > RAM
>> > running Windows Server 2003 standard. We've also got an Adaptec S-ATA
>> > RAID
>> > card mirroring 2x 120GB S-ATA hard disks which the OS is installed on.
>> > The
>> > server is a DC in a small domain of 3 DCs and one or two workstations
>> > (while
>> > we test the domain).
>> >
>> > For some very strange reason, when we try to copy large files (>1GB in
>> > size)
>> > to the server (via a mapped drive or UNC path) the remaining copy time
>> > gets
>> > down to 10 remaining seconds and then starts working it's way up. It's
>> > several hours before the copy finally finishes. This happens regardless
>> > of
>> > client PC OS (Windows 2000 Pro, XP), whether the client is a member of
>> > the
>> > Domain or not, and regardless of where the client is on the network (we
>> > get
>> > the same problems with the client connected to the same switch as the
>> > server). The problem is also evident when we GHOST from a DOS session,
>> > on a
>> > mapped drive to the server.
>> >
>> > I've tried installing a couple of hotfixes from Microsoft that claim to
>> > fix
>> > similar problems but they don't help. I've updated the network card
>> > drivers
>> > from Intel and the S-ATA RAID drivers from Adaptec, and the problem is
>> > still
>> > occurring.
>> >
>> > I'm stuck for solutions or anything else I can try. Does anyone have
>> > any
>> > suggestions?
>> >
>> > Thanks in advance.
>> >
>> > --
>> >
>> > Andrew Perry (Network & Servers Officer),
>> > Computer Office,
>> > Trinity College,
>> > Trinity Street,
>> > Cambridge,
>> > CB2 1TQ.
>> >
>> >
>> >