Windows XP network freezing upon starting AutoCAD

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

We are running a small Windows XP network here at my work. Our server has
XP Pro, 4 of the 5 computers networked to it are running plain XP and one
has XP Pro. We are all updated to SP2.

Occasionally, when one of us tries to start AutoCAD (LT 2002), (occasionally
meaning about three times a day) the entire network locks up - any of the
others of us who are using AutoCAD have it freeze on us. The person who
attempted to start AutoCAD eventually gets a Windows error message stating
something like "Cannot reconnect to R:\ (Server). The device name is
already in use." We have to restart the server to fix it.

Our individual computers look to the server for fonts, .ctb files, .dwt
files, plotters, .lin file, and other stuff. Basically anything that might
get modified and need for everyone to be able to have those latest
modifications is stored on the server.

This did not start happening until we upgraded the server from XP to XP Pro,
which we had to do when we added the fifth computer to our network.

Has anyone else run into this? I find nothing related when I search
Autodesk support for "Windows XP LT 2002."

Thanks
-Kathleen Mitchell

[TravisNave]

Your 'server' being XP Pro (instead of Server 200x) is likely the culprit, since there is a connection limit that Pro can handle. This is likely being met. Your other 'XP Home' PCs are not designed to work in a network setup the way that you have it set up. I'd recommend upgrading each of the other PCs to XP Pro and possibly obtaining a server version of Windows. Since Windows is a lot cheaper than Autodesk products, it would be a wise investment. You can even get upgrade prices. You'll find that domain heirarchy will work better than peer-to-peer workgroup setups.

You should also check the physical network of your LAN and make sure you are using CAT5e cables and a switch instead of a hub, to reduce traffic. Also double-check the SP2 firewall settings.

Good luck.