Slow log in on XP workstations

[markesmith]

We've just taken over a small primary school which has a mixture of W98 and XP Pro workstations and server 2003 and I'm responsible for the overhaul of the suite over the summer holidays (I'm not really a techie as I work across all areas of ICT within the primary sector but I get by by keeping things simple!). The log in speed of the XP workstations is very, very slow......4/5 minutes. I don't think it can be the switches etc as the 98 machines log in very quickly. What are members views on the commenest causes of slow log with XP. I know DNS usually crops up. The DNS entries on the server point to the server's IP address, correct I guess as there are no external DNS entries on any of this authorities servers. Any ideas?

[Norphy]

Three things that I can think of:

Broken DNS. OK, the workstations might be pointing at the right server but if the DNS has been poisoned or if it is just plain inaccurate, you could have problems there

Large roaming/mandatory profiles.

Excessive amount of policies being applied.

I'm inclined to go for the broken DNS option.

[witch]

It is usually a profiles issue for us
Make sure the machines arent holding on to any!

Yep just as the good Norphy said.

DNS is the route of all evil

[Joedetic]

Why am i suddenly singing Money by Pink Floyd and trying to fit DNS and other services into the lyrics.


Hmmmmmmmm......

[mrforgetful]

Also, are you using My Documents folder Redirection in the policies? If so there's a bug that means Windows XP SP2 working with Server 2003 SP1 can add 30 seconds to the login.

Other than that it's the same as what others have said, DNS and/or Profiles.

[Geoff]

Also, are you using My Documents folder Redirection in the policies? If so there's a bug that means Windows XP SP2 working with Server 2003 SP1 can add 30 seconds to the login.

Got a link for that?

[mrforgetful]

Yeah sure, it's a here

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;899409

I actually found the files on the internet but they're free from MS if you ring them.

[Quackers]

Grrrr, i spent ages in contact with microsoft with this glitch when SP2 first came out. In the end i just got rid of roaming profiles and used a mandatory one with the redirection hard coded into the profile.

Yeah sure, it's a here

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;899409

I actually found the files on the internet but they're free from MS if you ring them.

Would you be willing to share those files?

[DMcCoy]

Why did I not know about this! I knew there was a delay in there somewhere, and that It wasn't my fault!

Linky

http://jernstrom.org/site/news.php?item.8

[mrforgetful]

Of course.

There's two files, one to be run on the servers, one to be run on the clients.

You only need to install it on certain servers, I can't remember which exactly, might be any with profiles stored on them, or on DCs, sorry I can't remember!

WOW

Just updated my servers and workstations at one of my site and this has done wonders. Best improvement is the wireless laptops. 60 - 90 seconds to log on down to 10 - 15 seconds.

Staff are going to think I have done wonders over the summer

[alan-d]

Right I demand a public inquest on why we didn't know about this sooner!!



(and Geoff - before you mention Linux - shut up :P )