My network drive on one Window 8 PC is working just fine. It's a non-Alienware PC. Let's call this computer: "ComputerA". On another computer ("ComputerB"), accessing the drive is extremely slow. ComputerB is an Alienware Area-51 desktop. I'm not sure if this is an Alienware-specific issue but if it is, could it be a Alienware specific driver issue?
Here is what is happening. On ComputerB, the green progress bar in File Explorer mostly takes a long time to get to the right when opening a folder on the network drive. (On some occasions, opening folders happens instantly.) I attempt to play a video from the network drive and on ComputerB and the video always takes 10+ seconds before it starts and then after a second, the video stalls - sometimes it starts playing again to only stall as if it is buffering. None of these problems occur on ComputerA.
I've ruled out a problem with the ethernet wire by using the same ethernet wire on ComputerA and ComputerB. The network path to the modem is identical for both computers when I use the same ethernet wire.
The internet speed on ComputerA and ComputerB are identical and extremely fast.
I've also ruled out a codec playback issue in terms of the video not playing by download the video onto ComputerB and successfully playing the video locally.
I've tried various solutions I found on the web, but they did not help: i.e.
1) turning off Windows Defender and the Firewall
2) Changing a setting in Internet Explorer: Internet Options>Connections>LAN Settings>Uncheck "Automatically detect settings"
http://dont-trust-the-admin.blogspot.com/2012/06/fixing-slow-network-drive-access-in.html
3) Disable auto-tuning: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itpronetworking/thread/df7e6a3d-0f54-4d9b-a488-d172de7dca12
4) changes to TCP auto tuning and Remote Differential Compression: http://clintboessen.blogspot.com/2012/04/windows-7-slow-access-to-network-shares.html
Please let me know if you need any additional info that you think would be pertinent.
thanks!
jaximflash
28 Posts
0
March 10th, 2013 07:00
I fixed my issue, but I am unsure why exactly.
The network path to my networked storage device from BOTH my computers were as follows:
Modem>Router>Switch>2nd Router acting as repeater/switch>Computer
I changed the network path so the networked storage device is connected directly to the 1st router instead of the 1st switch. So the path now is:
Modem>Router>2nd Router acting as repeater/switch>Computer
This new, more direct path fixed things. (knock on wood.) A more direct path fixing the issue makes sense. However, what doesn't make sense is that ComputerA worked just fine with either network path.
NataliaatAW
2 Intern
•
835 Posts
0
March 13th, 2013 12:00
Hi jaximflash,
Thank you for taking the time to share your solution, it's great to hear that it's working fine now. Post back if you have any issues and we'll be happy to help.