Rowdy6680
06-06-2009, 02:47 AM
Hi,
I've used this site before for ratings/troubleshooting but had never visited the forums here. I'm hoping this is posted in the proper forum, if not, please inform me where is best.
For a living I install and service Restaurant Point of Sale computer systems using either Windows 2000 or XP Pro. There is one terminal that is an interactive server and 5 other terminals at one of my clients. For the 3rd time in probably 4 months, the workstations begin to run extremely slowly switching menu screens. I have re-terminated the cable from the server to the switch, replaced the network switch, and replaced the NIC in the main server which runs just fine.
Approximately 2 weeks ago this happened and that is when I replaced the switch. Before I replaced the switch though, I checked the status of the network connection. I noticed on the old switch that the activity light for Station 1 (Server) was blinking extremely fast, and that the Sent and Received packets had jumped into the millions and the entire system (all networked terminals were very slow). I replaced the switch and it began to act normally again, but today I received a call on what do you know, a Friday night in a Bar/Restaurant... Not the kind of thing you want to happen in my line of work. All PC's at this location are on XP Pro with SP 2. The system had been running fine for the past few weeks. All stations have static IP's. They shut the entire system down every night. Today I had them shut it down, power down the switch, then back up, and restart the network. The problem still exists. They are not "cheap switches or PC's" but this is the 2nd switch I've replaced.
I wondered if anyone had some ideas on what can cause packet transmissions from the server to become so high while all the terminals are in what I'd consider normal ranges. I've done this business for the last 14 years and have never had this occur and I'm a bit stumped. Any advice would be appreciated as I am going to the site tomorrow to hopefully resolve the issue.
I'd appreciate any advice and thank you in advance!
I've used this site before for ratings/troubleshooting but had never visited the forums here. I'm hoping this is posted in the proper forum, if not, please inform me where is best.
For a living I install and service Restaurant Point of Sale computer systems using either Windows 2000 or XP Pro. There is one terminal that is an interactive server and 5 other terminals at one of my clients. For the 3rd time in probably 4 months, the workstations begin to run extremely slowly switching menu screens. I have re-terminated the cable from the server to the switch, replaced the network switch, and replaced the NIC in the main server which runs just fine.
Approximately 2 weeks ago this happened and that is when I replaced the switch. Before I replaced the switch though, I checked the status of the network connection. I noticed on the old switch that the activity light for Station 1 (Server) was blinking extremely fast, and that the Sent and Received packets had jumped into the millions and the entire system (all networked terminals were very slow). I replaced the switch and it began to act normally again, but today I received a call on what do you know, a Friday night in a Bar/Restaurant... Not the kind of thing you want to happen in my line of work. All PC's at this location are on XP Pro with SP 2. The system had been running fine for the past few weeks. All stations have static IP's. They shut the entire system down every night. Today I had them shut it down, power down the switch, then back up, and restart the network. The problem still exists. They are not "cheap switches or PC's" but this is the 2nd switch I've replaced.
I wondered if anyone had some ideas on what can cause packet transmissions from the server to become so high while all the terminals are in what I'd consider normal ranges. I've done this business for the last 14 years and have never had this occur and I'm a bit stumped. Any advice would be appreciated as I am going to the site tomorrow to hopefully resolve the issue.
I'd appreciate any advice and thank you in advance!