Explorer keeps crashing.

[dataDude]

I'm not sure if it's a networking problem or a Windows issue. I have WXP and since I got connected to my network, whenever I send a lot of data between my 2 comps, it's usually inevitable that the network will disconnect and then Windows will probably crash on them or they will suddenly reboot. Also, last night my Windows Explorer kept crashing (every 3 seconds). I have the feeling what I need to do, but I want to hear any other options anybody might be able to share. I just recently reformatted this thing and already it's acting up (never did this before I got the network up).

[AlwaysUp]

Can I ask what prompted you to reformat in the beginning? What type of data are you transferring from 1 to another? Not trying to be nosy, just recently had my son select "My Computer contents and try to copy to the other PC? Good thing I have admin password tucked away!

[dataDude]

It was when Windows Explorer kept crashing I figured some part of the network addition may have corrupted some files, so I decided to put the files back.

The files I'm transferring are big. 500MB - 4GB. Because the network kept screwing up I got a file splitter and sent the files piece by piece. Whenever the network went down all I had to do was send the rest of the split files instead of having to resend the whole thing again. Funny, the network holds up just fine if I want to only browse the net or if I'm downloading stuff. If I get back onto my LAN, that's when the problems start occurring.

[djdimension]

Possible because you are lacking enough memory. Windows XP needs at least 512mb. I would get a 100mb/s or 1gb/s network if you dont already have one. Maybe your processor is screwing up. Try transferring files using firewire or removable storage. I generally see home networks for gaming, which generally only sends small amounts of data from one pc to another

[dataDude]

Not really. According to Mike Meyers in Passport: A+ Certification, the minimum requirement for XP is 64 MB, 256 recommended. Anyway, I have 3 times the recommended amount. I found out that it's only when I'm sending data through the air that my computers have troubles. When I'm on the Internet everything's fine. When I'm not on the net, everything's fine. When I do stuff with my other computer, things start getting hairy. I took the NIC out of my other computer to disable the nw capabilities in it and to just test things out that way and lo and behold, no crashes, no problems. Grrr... so what am I supposed to do? Aren't networks specifically designed for sending data through? Is there anyway to stabilize it?

[AlwaysUp]

I found out that it's only when I'm sending data through the air that my computers have troubles.

Did I miss you mentioning that your network has a wireless component? Sounds like you are, if I understand you correctly. 802.11a or 802.11g? What hardware?

[dataDude]

Yep, it's all wireless. 802.11g, rather generic NICs. WXP, 256x3 RAM, good system. What's up?

[AlwaysUp]

Just a thought. With such big transfers is there any chance of interference from household devices? Also, is your WAP the same brand as the generic Nics you spoke of?

[dataDude]

The only kind of thing around here that might be questionable is a monitor between the router and the other computer. I've asked myself if that would interfere, but there are so many factors that I'm no sure if I could narrow it down.

No, the NICs are "IEEE wireless adapters" (at least, that's what my Network Connections tells me) and the WAP is D-Link. Just to test things out, I bought (online) a couple of Xterasys NICs. I really hope to get everything straightened out shortly; I'm gonna be building a server hopefully within the week and I'm going to be making it wireless.

I've narrowed the cause of all the problems down to the wireless NICs, no real problems with anything else. To compensate, I went wired and everything goes really nicely. Now, I might stay wired and I might not, but at least one machine here without a doubt will be wireless. I'll try (un)installing the problem and see. Stay tuned.

[AlwaysUp]

Just sharing my personal experience. I went with Microsoft MN-700 Wireless Base Station and Microsoft MN-730 wireless adapter. All are 802.11g and I can't perceive any speed difference with the two wireless workstations and the two wired workstations with regular 10/100 Nic's in em. 54mbps is max on 802.11g so obviously there is some speed difference, but it is imperceptable to me. Although, I don't transfer files the size you're talking about!

[dataDude]

If you're transferring files that are at most, say, a few MB, then I would understand the similarity in speed. However, with the files I transfer, there's a very noticeable diff. Wirelessly, a 1 GB file could take up to a half hour. Wired, 10-15 minutes. Blows my mind.