A Strange one. Have been having a play. Have setup windows 2003 server. It's the only server on the network. It's configured with active directory and it's obviously a DC. When copying files to-from server it's really S-L-O-W. Two hours to copy 76Mb It happens from different workstations. But heres the catch. Sometimes (quite often) it will speed up part of the way through a copy process. This is often associated with creating another network connection to the server. When it speeds up it flys I've done all the obvious... re-installed the network drivers changed the ethernet card. Used a direct connection between the server-workstation Used admin account Different shares Different disks Event log doesn't show anything amiss I think it's now something internal to 2003 server. Something is not quite right Anyone any ideas!!!! Ta

Which are the the NIC brand you use/test ? I have serious problems with Windows XP working at 100Mbits (wired network) + Realtek or SIS nics !!!

I have the exact same problem ! Recently installed fresh 2003 server on a brand new hi-end server. Unstable/slow copy to from DC from XP clients. I have used tons of hours on this issue - solutions is really needed..sigh. Thanks René

use 3com nics, they are good ones, or dlink, i have no problems with those i have troubles with intel adapters (with or without administrative functions and diagnositcs) 3com seems to have the edge on nics.