opening and printing on network

We are set up on a network with a server. Our printer is also hooked through the network with its own IP address. The server OS is windows 2000 server. We have 9 PCs networked to it some with win 98, some with win XP. The problems that we are havining are only happening to one of our computers (win 98)and not the other 8.

Problem 1: Some times when we try to open our accounting software program from computer A, it will not open the program. The error that we get is: "Cannot access the file ... Make sure the file is a valid program file and that it is not in use by another program. The drive or network connection that the shortcut ... refers to is unavailable. Make sure that the disk is properly inserted or the network resource is available, and then try again."
This error happens about 1 out of 10 times that we open the program. It does not happen on any of our other computers. If this error happens, the only way to get into the program is to restart the PC. Sometimes we have to restart it 2 or 3 times before it lets us in. When it doesn't let us in we are still able to access the internet and the other PCs on the network, and all of the other PCs can open the program on the server. I have reinstalled the shortcut on the PC but it didn't help.

Problem 2: On the same PC, in the same accounting program, when we enter work orders we print them after each order is entered. We will print about 125 per day. Once and a while when we print the computer will hang (the hourglass shows). Once this happens we can exit out of that screen and everthing else works fine until we try to print, or even try to look at the printer, then it hangs again. The only thing we can do is restart the computer then it will work fine again. This happens 1-5 times every day. It will not happen on any of the other PCs. I have reinstalled the printer driver and got any updates available for the driver but it didn't help.

The only thing I could think of was to check the memory (320mb) on the PC, but it checked out fine.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. What a great website!

Thanks a million
David

 

Well, since it's happening only on one, it seems to be a local issue. When it happens, can you access other files on the server, or is the workstation disconnected? Have you swapped the cable from this workstation to a different port at the server?

I'd consider checking the integrety of the cable, replacing the NIC, and removing and reinstalling all the network components.