Network connection takes 2 minutes to connect

[jaystemple]

If this is in the wrong forum, please direct me to the right one. I am new here so forgive me...
I have a network of about 300 computers. Mostly XP Pro.
I have about 10 or so Windows 7 Pro machines.
Of those, at least 4 have the problem I am about to describe. I will do my best to give as much detail as possible.

Dell Optiplex 380.
Broadcom Netlink 57XXX integrated NIC (NOT a card).

Upon logging on to the users account (any user actually) the network icon in the system tray shows a red X. This stays this way for 2 minutes (literally, i have timed it, takes maybe as long as 2:30 minutes sometimes.)
2 minutes later it will show the yellow exclamation mark and about 10 seconds after that it goes away and all works fine. Internet, Outlook (connected to a local Exchange 2010 server). The user's mapped network drives still show disconnected and network apps will not work unless we double click on the mapped network drives.

I have disabled all power saving features of the NIC and even went to Broadcoms site to download and install an updated driver for the NIC (Dell's support site had an older one).

Oddly enough, if you log out of Win7 and log back on, it is connected IMMEDIATELY with no issues, just like it is SUPPOSED to do (or rather, just like all my XP machines do, and always have).

I was on the horn with Dell for over an hour today. We updated the Dell Utilities via support.dell.com, updates the video and network drivers and updated the BIOS. I also went in and uninstalled Dell Control point software with no change in my results.

Dell is going to send me a replacement motherboard to just prove that it is not a hardware issue. I think it is a bug in Windows 7 but this isnt a bug I can live with.

Anything I am missing? Is this a confirmed bug? Is there a fix?
Thanks in advance!
Jay

 

[jaystemple]

For what it is worth I am on the phone with MS tech support...
been a 3 day conversation, literally... of course not all in a row...
At this point, the $259 they will charge me to solve it is becoming a better deal the longer they take

 

[chev65]

What kind of router are you using for this network. Have you tried to update the firmware on your router yet?

 

[jaystemple]

The router is supplied and maintained by my ISP. We have at least 20 SWITCHES throughout the campus, but only one router where the internet connection comes in. Starting day 4 with Microsoft tech support today

 

[chev65]

You might try using the older Vista driver for your Dell 380 or you can try using a different router or resetting the router, your ISP may have an updated version of the router that may work better with Windows 7. I googled around and couldn't find any relevant technet threads that covered this problem.

 

[jaystemple]

Good suggestions, awaiting to hear back form my ISP about them looking into my router to see if there are any firmware updates.
As for the Vista drivers, this is also a good idea, but this issue is not just limited to Dell 380s. I have a Win7 laptop that has the same issue, even after driver updates.

 

[chev65]

In that case I would look into the router causing the problem. The network stack for Windows 7 has changed considerably since XP or Vista days and often times upgrading the router or firmware is the only way to get older routers working with Windows 7.

 

[sthepan]

Upon classification on to the users account the system icon in the system tray shows a red X. This stay this way for 2 minutes (literally, i have timed it, takes maybe as long as 2:30 minutes sometimes.)
2 minutes later it will show the yellow scream mark and about 10 seconds after that it goes away and all works fine. Internet, Outlook (connected to a local Exchange 2010 server). The user's mapped network drives still show cut off and network apps will not work unless we double click on the mapped network drives.

I have disable all power saving features of the NIC and even went to Broadcoms site to download and install an updated driver for the NIC (Dell's support site had an older one).

Strangely enough, if you log out of Windows 7 and log back on, it is allied instantly with no issues, just like it is SUPPOSED to do (or rather, just like all my XP machines do, and always have).

I was on the horn with Dell for over an hour today. We updated the Dell Utilities via support.dell.com, updates the video and network drivers and updated the BIOS. I also went in and uninstalled Dell Control point software with no change in my results.

Dell is going to send me a alternate motherboard to just prove that it is not a hardware issue. I think it is a bug in Windows 7 but this isn’t a bug I can live with.

Anything I am missing? Is this a incorrigible bug? Is there a fix?

 

[jaystemple]

I thought I posted my LONG detailed explanation for this fix... but it doesnt look like it posted...


short answer...

I uninstalled the NIC drivers, and scanned for new hardware. When 7 installed the NIC, I updated the drivers...
WITH XP DRIVERS OF ALL THINGS!
and it works perfectly.

 

[chev65]

XP driver saves the day, I suggested the Vista driver but which ever one works is the one to use.
I'm glad you tried different drivers because I was out of options on how to fix this.