Very odd disconnect problem in Win2K

[DeadTaco]

I've been having a very strange problem that I have never seen before. When I am connected to the server at our office at a workstation internally, the server will randomly drop the connection (or it may be the workstation dropping it). I'll try to connect to the server, but it says the connection is unavailable. If I try again after about 15 seconds, it will connect fine. It's as if there is a 15 second lag for it to connect.

Also, all other server resources are available, like printing and internet access.

This seems to happen randomly. Sometimes it will connect flawlessly, but it seems to be getting worse. Has anyone else heard of this problem before?

Our server is a Windows 2000 server on SP3. The workstation is W2K also on SP3. Both are Dells.

 

[Reefslayer]

Hi, DeadTaco.

When you mention other server resources I take it you mean these remain available via the same physical box?

If the server is dropping connections and all services are unavailable perhaps this points to problems lower down in the networking chain than something in the O/S itself?

How long have you had the problem?
Can you trace it back to the implementation of a given change?

I'd be inclined to start at the physical layer and work my way up checking any structured cabling components and the like which may be giving you hassle. Could even be a damaged jack causing mis-allignment of pins in the RJ-45 for example.

Next it's be your active net equipment e.g switches etc.
do you have a problem with patch leads/specific switch ports?

If you fault find your way up to the software without finding anything perhaps it's time to look at updated NIC drivers , Service packs service configurations etc.

Last but not least are you experiencing the same issues when connecting via an alternative client machine?
perhaps your PC is in some way to blame.

Nothing for it but to try some detective work I think.
Best of luck!

 

[Reefslayer]

forgot lic mode on the server!
are you per seat or CAL ?

Could be you've ran out of connections if you've reached your max conccurent connections?

 

[bcastner]

http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...port/kb/articles/q138/3/65.asp&NoWebContent=1

 

[DeadTaco]

The other resources do remain available. It's only file sharing that I am unable to connect with. That's what's throwing me off. I replaced the cabling and network card in my system, but it's still doing it (hinting to a software problem, but unsure what it could be since nothing new was installed).

I may just do a system reformat and start over from scratch and see if it's still doing it. I was hoping to prevent this step but it's becoming rather bothersome.

Thanks for your help, though. Lots of good steps to check.

 

[tharder]

We had a similar problem here that we traced to a duplicate IP address. Get the IP of your machine, turn it off and try to ping it from another machine by name and IP address......good luck..

 

[DeadTaco]

That's a good idea, but I doubt that's what it is. Our server controls DHCP so I doubt it would duplicate two registered systems. A check in the DHCP isn't showing any conflicts. However, at this point I may check it out anyway.