I have 2 computers running windows 98 se, networked together with linksys ethernet cards. Everything was working okay a while back but one day I noticed browsing the remote computer had become extremely slow. I have tried various solutions such as completely reinstalling the Linksys card to no avail. I am currently in the situation where each m/c can ping each other in 10ms or less, but browsing the other computer can take 5 minutes to bring up a directory listing and copying files (using drag and drop) does not work at all (throws up a error). I can only think that one of my recent installs has somehow screwed up the networking. I recently installed Netscape 6, A scanner, Creative Soundblaster Live Platinum 5.1 and a Creative CD-RW blaster drive. I have also has problems bring some audio CDs with the latter - a 3 song CD took about 40 minutes - surely that can't be right ? The only similar post I found here pointed to a network.vbs virus but I have checked for that and I am clean. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Jonathan

Not sure...only want to advise you to check your cables. Check protocols.... NetBEUI install? You using a hub or no? If yes... try to use another hub. If your just connection 2 PC with cross cables... remember cross cable lenght limit. 16 ft I think... (Agian, recheck cabling... interference from florencent light, wirings, etc.)

Yeah, NETBEUI is one of the main reasons why a network will run slowly in Windows. If it's installed, try uninstalling/rebooting/reinstalling it. If there's a less significant drop in speed, as the man above said, check electrical interference.

First of all thanks very much for the replies - I had almost given up hope. However, unfortunately they don't help much. I don't have NetBeui installed. I have tried TCP only (i.e. removed IPX/SPX) and that still didn't work. I know the hardware is good because my kids can play Sudden Strike between the 2 PCs with no problems - this uses TCP/IP I think. FWIW the PCs are connected directly using thin coaxial cable and yes I do have both ends terminated. I tried reinstalling Windows 98 since my earlier post but it ended up in the same situation. I had it at one point that I has to Dial up my ISP before the Network Neighbourhood would get activated so I am highly suspicious that my dial up adaptor is somehow interfering with the Client for Microsoft networks and causing the problem. The frustrating thing is it did actually work once upon a time. thanks again for responding. Jonathan.

You might have the bymer virus. Bymer does not arrive as an e-mail. This worm randomly chooses IP addresses to search for Windows-based computers with an open share C: drive. It will then install several files to the Windows/System folder. Upon restarting the computer, infected users may notice a slowing of system resources as their computer begins searching for more IP addresses to infect. There are reports of this worm disabling the infected computer's ability to "see" other computers on a local network. I got this virus last week it slowed down my LAN made dial up start by it's self. Go here for furthur info. http://www.zdnet.com/zdhelp/stories/main/0,5594,2662273,00.html

Spot On !!!!! I checked the link and followed the instructions and there was a bymer scanner entry in my registry. I followed the clean up instructions and got rid of the virus. Unfortunately, I still have problems - I can only seem to transfer files up to about 1.5 k in size. Anything larger throws up an error. I think the virus must have changed some low level network setting that doesn't get fixed by the cleanup. Anyone have any ideas on this ? Jonathan P.S. I unshared my C drive :( so that I can't get hit again.