Windows Me Explorer way too slow

[DShakes]

Ok First of all I think this is the best site for tech support I have ever seen!! Congrats guys!! For my problem now.....

@ my work we have the following configuration

Server: Novell Network 3.12 (we HAVE to use this, sorry!!)
Data Server (not really) : WinMe with shared disks

Workstations : 10 some running win98SE some WinMe

The problem occurs in one of the WinMe workstations.
When openning Windows explorer it takes ages load and then to show all drives. Double clicking on My Computer is doing the same thing just a bit faster.

I realised that it slows down when trying to show the DATA SERVER'S icon which is offline. When clicking on it, it shows the contents of the drive and then freezes for a while and after that it pops up a new explorer window with the contents of the D.S. drive.

I added a new faster hard drive, more memory (in the workstation). It is a bit faster now but still.

I also noticed that sometimes (on the D.S.) the mouse freezes for a couple of seconds.

On the workstation side everything else is running smoothly, but when we try to open a file (i.e. from within Word) the same thing happens.
I have already tried the following:
1) scandisk
2) defragment
3) Antivirus check
4) Selective startup
5) Memory zipper (free-up memory)
6) Norton Disk Doctor
7) Norton WinDoctor
8) Norton SpeedDisk
9) increased Iconcache (a lot of icons on the desktop it was working though)

Oh! Internet Explorer 5.5 is installed.

Any suggestions? (Except re-installing Windows which is NOT possible. A lot of programs installed and cannot be found again.)

Thank you in advance...

 

[Davey7549]

DShakes
Just a thought until someone more qulified in networking comes along....... Since the delay seems to involve communication with the server have you tried removing the network setup in this machine and reinstalling it?

Dave

PS: Using a Memory optimizer is actually slowing your machine down rather than helping so you may consider uninstalling it. If you need documentation to validate that point I will provide some reading material.

 

[JohnJ]

I found this tip for faster Browsing the other day. This is actually a different site than I found the first time; so I assume it to be legit. I tried it on my XP machine at home and nothing bad happened. I've never been slow to begin with so I don't know if it will help you any. If you do try it besure you do a backup of your registry first. Can't ever be to careful.

http://www.idg.net/english/crd_windows_493349.html

Dave: I'd like to see that info on memory optimizer if you don't mind.

 

[Davey7549]

John
Here is a series of articles that really explains Memory and how it is used. Each article builds for the next and is very good!
Memory errors, leaks, optimizers by Fred Langa
http://content.techweb.com/winmag/columns/explorer/2000/11.htm
http://content.techweb.com/winmag/columns/explorer/2000/12.htm
http://content.techweb.com/winmag/columns/explorer/2000/13.htm
http://content.techweb.com/winmag/columns/explorer/2000/14.htm

The only part I would ignoe is Virtual Memory settings since they Apply to Win95 mostly. If Virtual Memory is to specified I would set Min and leave Max open ended and also let windows control it. The article will also verify even though with Min set and windows controlling, windows will honor the Min and not collapse memory below that setting.

Dave

 

[jmatt]

10 ways to make ME run better .
http://content.techweb.com/winmag/windows/features/merunbetter/default.htm

http://www.angelfire.com/my/rambling/tutorials-20_more_ways_to_make_winme_run_better.htm

Windows Millennium Edition Tips
A how to guide for setting up WindowsME
http://www.members.accessus.net/~090/awh/winmetip.html

Windows Me Tips
http://www.windows-help.net/windowsMe/tips.html

WinME System Tweaking Guide
http://windows.about.com/compute/wi...www.tweaktown.com/articles/system_winme.shtml

Windows ME + MS-DOS 8.00
©Tweaks, Secrets, BUGs + FIXes
http://members.aol.com/axcel216/

How to run Windows ME well, version 4
http://www.burzurq.com/forum/trevtweak.html

 

[Bryan]

Have you checked to see if there's a more recent driver available for the NIC at the card makers site? Or at the very least, uninstall and reinstall the card and it's drivers?

 

[DShakes]

Oops!! Thank you Bryan. Will try that and let you know....
Thanks again