Win 7 slow file transfer speed

[Pleb5919]

I've been having a lot of problems trying to get effective file transfers working between Windows 7 machines in my home network. I have a desktop machine running Win 7 64 bit, and a laptop running Win 7 64 bit also.

The laptop has a Realtek wireless NIC (120 Mbps). My desktop uses a Dlink DWA-552 NIC (300 Mbps).

The router is a Linksys WRT610N situated in the middle of the house, broadcasting both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz signals.

The NIC and the router are both running the most recent firmware.

The main way I've been testing is by taking a 1 GB file, and placing it into the Documents folder on my desktop, and then using Homegroup on the laptop to try and grab the file, and put it onto the C: drive of the laptop.

All I've been able to get is 65 KB/s. This is with the same NIC and router that I was using on a pair of older WinXP machines just last fall. With those two machines, which were running on like 4 or 5 year old hardware, I was able to transfer that 1 GB file in about 8 and a half minutes. With Windows 7, that same file takes about 9 hours (according to Windows.....I've always killed my attempts after the first hour of waiting for the file to move).

I've been reading, and some people have posted online about McAfee being part of the problem....on Vista at least. So, I told a friend/business associate about my problems, and he commented he's having the same issues with Windows 7, which is a problem as he's a programmer, so often needs to deploy large files to client servers...which takes forever now. He was using Panda AV however. He tried disabling Panda AV, and his speed jumped up.

I tried disabling Resident Shield for AVG Free on both computers, and then rebooted both. My transfer speed jumped to about 200 KB/s. Better, but nowhere near what it should be like.

I then tried also disabling Windows Firewall and rebooting, with AVG still disabled, but couldn't get the speeds any faster.

Are there any known issues (and solutions) with Windows 7 and file transfers? On a wireless N network, it should not be taking this long to move files. This is way slower than even G speed.

It's frustrating, as it means I can't effectively use media extenders, and if I need to meet a client, and need to load files from my main desktop onto my laptop for the meeting, it takes *forever*...it's quicker to simply grab a USB stick, copy the files from the desktop onto it, then bring the stick with me. On Windows XP, I used to just grab whatever I needed from my shared hard drive, and it would be done in seconds or minutes.

Looking forward to any answers/help.

Thanks,

Pleb5919

 

[chev65]

There are no such issues with Windows 7, although certain A/V software, third party firewalls, third party networking programs, or uncompatible drivers all seem to cause these sorts of problems.

Most likely it's something you installed that is causing this problem. I have five Homegroup machines which are all different, some are ten years old and I have no such problems. Most likely you will need to uninstall which ever A/V is causing the problem completely to resolve the problem.

 

[Pleb5919]

I'm using AVG Free 9.0, and Windows Firewall. That's it. I've tried running both machines with the software disabled, and it *did* improve file transfers somewhat...but only to a degree.

However, if I can't use antivirus without slowing down file transfers, how am I supposed to protect my systems? Norton and McAfee are resource hogs, Panda apparently has this problem.....what software *doesn't*?

Is there any way to troubleshoot this, and figure out what is causing it?

I read on these boards something about IPv6 vs. IPv4, and shutting down IPv6, and using IPv4 instead.....but I don't know the difference between the two, or what those changes would affect.

Pleb5919

 

[chev65]

It's very unlikely that IPv6 is causing this problem. That is only a problem with very old routers. It certainly doesn't happen to me using IPv6. I havn't seen a single case where disabling IPv6 has fixed any problems at all. Even if it did there would have to be an underlying problem else where.

You can start up in safe mode which will disable any third party programs, then try a file transfer to help narrow down the problem.

As for the A/V problems. You will need to uninstall them completely to fix this sort of problem, disabling them usually won't work. I think the problem with A/V's has more to do with setting them up correctly or using the most recent versions. It's best to make sure that sharing and file transfers speeds are working correctly before installing any type of A/V or third party firewall.

Microsoft live essentials seems to have the least number of problems as far as A'V's go.

 

[Pleb5919]

chev65.....do you mean Microsoft Security Essentials? I've heard about that from a friend I know who's an MCSE. He suggested it as a possible option. I'd stayed away from it mainly as MS hasn't traditionally been known (to my knowledge) as an AV company.

Of course, as long as whatever I use has a small footprint and is effective, I really don't care what I use. It's not like I'm married to AVG or anything.

Ok, so my next steps, I guess are:

1-Reboot machines and run in Safe Mode. Try to move a file, and see if file transfer speed changes.

2-If yes, then it's likely something I'm running. It becomes a matter of narrowing it down.

3-Try uninstalling AVG completely. Look at alternates such as MS Security Essentials.

Quick question....in Safe Mode will Homegroup work correctly? Or do I need to specifically go and share a folder on my workstation, and try sharing the file that way?

I'll try these tactics, and check back in.

Pleb5919

 

[Pleb5919]

Hmm....so Windows Safe Mode with Networking doesn't allow the laptop to see shared drives, and Homegroup is deactivated, plus Windows won't allow me to turn those services on while in Safe Mode....I tried going into my Services panel, but it doesn't seem to allow me to manually activate these items.

As a result, I can't seem to test the problem....I can see the Internet, but the two computers don't see each other....so I've got no way to transfer the files.

I have rarely had need of Safe Mode....I'm possibly missing something. Any advice on how to do this?

Pleb5919

 

[chev65]

I havn't had a reason to try Homegroups in safe mode because it always works for me and I don't use a real time A/V software so it's hard to say.

Yes I meant to say Msoft security essentials and many people seem to like it more than any other A/V simply because it seems to cause the least amount of problems.

I really think the A/V's for Windows 7 are still evolving and not quite perfected because they seem to cause endless problems with networking and sharing. I think it has more to do with using the most recent A/V versions and setting them up after you have the network up and working correctly. Installing them before all drivers and all network sharing is working correctly seems to lead to problems.

 

[Pleb5919]

Hmm...I know I've got the most recent version of AVG Free.....but I *did* install it before doing pretty much anything else. I typically set up my PCs that way....as soon as the OS is on, the first thing I download and install is antivirus....simply out of fear of leaving the PC unprotected while I get everything setup.

The problem with Homegroup wouldn't be a problem if I could at least see the directory I've set to "Share".....I could then transfer files directly from it...but the two computers don't even see each other at all.

Is there a sequence of services I should activate in my Services Panel to enable the Share feature, so I can see my file directory on one PC from the other PC?

Pleb5919

 

[chev65]

AGV seems to cause endless problems with Homegroup sharing so uninstalling it completely is the best advice I can give you. This fact has been played out so many times I've lost count.

Also, between your routers firewall and the Windows 7 firewall you are perfectly safe for the time being. Don't put too much into A/V's as they can all be defeated more easily than you think.

As for the required services.
You have to start and set to "Automatic" the following Services in Control panel.

Administrative Tools
Computer Browser
DHCP Client
Function Discovery Resource Publication
Network Location Awareness
Remote Procedure Call (RPC),
Server, SSDP Discovery
TCP/IP NetBIOS
UPnP Device Host and Workstation

It helps to change these from manual to automatic sometimes.
On one of my older machines I needed to change most of these from manual to automatic in order for the old machine to pick up the other Homegroup machines at start up.

 

[Pleb5919]

Uninstalled AVG on both machines, rebooted....and no speed difference. I'm fluctuating between 209 KB/s and 240 KB/s.

I've got a Network Meter widget installed, and right now, while I upload the file from my desktop to my laptop, it's showing that my desktop is uploading data at a rate of 2.253 Mbit/s.

But when I look at the window opened by Windows Explorer when I right-click copied from my Documents folder in the Homegroup to the C: drive on the laptop, Windows Explorer is telling me it's downloading the file at 209 KB/s.

The laptop connects at a speed of 60 Mbit/s. The desktop is at 300 Mbit/s (60% signal strength).

60 Mbit/s on the laptop is new. That laptop has an N card built in....but 60 Mbit/s is more a more G typical speed. This specific laptop was purchased in August running Vista. At that point in time, it was connecting at 120. Now, since upgrading to Windows 7, it's connecting at 60?

Scratch that.....I tested it by relocating the laptop within the area of coverage....the connection speed jumped anywhere from 60 to 150. However, that didn't seem to make longterm differences in terms of file transfer speed. Even if I quit the transfer, and then restarted it while sitting in a spot with 150 speed, I'd see a momentary improvement to about 340 KB/s, which would then drop back to 200 KB/s.

The laptop is using the integrated Realtek RTL8192E wireless N card.

Pleb5919

 

[chev65]

That would probably be the best guess at this point. You might try adjusting the drivers settings to see if any of them makes a difference. You can also try using a different driver. It might be worth adjusting some of the routers settings also.

 

[Pleb5919]

What's really odd is that I'm downloading from the Internet right now......in the middle of downloading the virus definitions etc. for Security Essentials.....I'm getting speeds ranging from 1.34 Mbit/s to 2.34 Mbit/s on each of the two machines, which are both doing the update at the same time.

The router definitely *can* go a lot faster than 200 KB/s......but only when it's downloading over the Internet....do it within my network, and it's not doing it.

I had changed a few things like beacon interval on the router, months back, to boost range. But that's about it.

Pleb5919

 

[Pleb5919]

I just came across an interesting finding.

I've got a Network Meter Windows 7 gadget installed on both machines.

When I try to move the test file from my desktop homegroup to my laptop hard drive, the desktop shows that it's uploading data at anywhere from 500 KB/s to 3.2 Mbit/s.....it seems to bounce up and down.

The Network Meter on the laptop shows similar numbers for downloading.....500 KB/s to 3.2 Mbit/s.

However, the Windows Explorer progress meter for transferring the file still shows 200 KB/s......

So if the Network meter is registering that I'm moving data at up to 3.2 Mbit/s, but Windows Explorer is showing only 200 KB/s, and the actual time it's taking for the file to finish being moved is consistent with the speed being shown by Windows Explorer, what's going on?

Seems like the Network cards and router are doing what they're supposed to...but there's a slowdown in there.

Is there a way to isolate that slowdown?

Pleb5919

 

[Pleb5919]

Seems like a lot of people are complaining about this....I've found hundreds of posts online of people complaining about slow file transfer. I largely skipped from XP to 7, but apparently this was known in Vista. Maybe the problem was never dealt with?

Pleb5919

 

[chev65]

I see those complaints also but have no idea what they are talking about. I have zero problems with transfer speeds. In fact it's much faster for me using Windows 7.

 

[Pleb5919]

I'm not sure what's going on....I've uninstalled some other files as well....I had ASUS ExpressGate on it, so that's gone as well.

I even tried downloading and using FastCopy, but it's getting similar slow speeds....about 140 KB/s.

It's aggravating, and I don't know what else to do to fix it.

The network seems like it's transferring files quickly.....but it hits file management (ie. Windows Explorer, FileCopy) that it's so slow.

This also causes problems with trying to stream media. When I do it, any videos recorded at a higher bitrate completely stutter...which I shouldn't be getting problems with.

But only when streaming from video files on my HDD to my media extenders. If I download from the Internet, through the router, to my media extenders, it's silky smooth.

Pleb5919

 

[Pleb5919]

There are even other threads on these boards, with people having the same problem.

I read on some other boards about disabling Remote Differential Compression, but that made no difference.

I've gone through all my drivers, and, AFAIK, everything is up to date.

I read on another message board about two possible fixes:
#2 Log onto machine as administrator, go to command prompt. Run this command:

netsh interface tcp set global chimney=disabled

#3 Log onto machine as administrator, go to command prompt. Run this command:

netsh int tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabledHowever....I have no idea what those two commands do. People just say it fixed their problem....but I'm hesitant to start inputting commands at the C:/prompt, if I don't know what's actually being done to my computer (or if it can be reversed).

Pleb5919

 

[Faladu]

Just my .02:

I gave up ever doing that stuff and bought a big enough USB pen drive, end of my story, well that and I burn re-writable DVDs too as a 2nd choice, 3rd I got USB to IDE/SATA or a SATA HD docking station that is USB.

I'm paranoid that my router could be easily circumvented and prefer to not give possible access like that.

Maybe I should have toughed it out as a learning experience, but I decided after other wireless networking issues, NO THANKS!

I am directly connected to my router, don't own any laptops, wife and extra old PC are both on wirelessly, and I have my router set to allow only 3 connections, don't use the easily guessed internal default IP mask, and use WEP encryption. (router is getting up there in age, but I am not replacing til it croaks, major headaches...)

In general I just rarely have anything I need to share that can't be emailed.

 

[Michaelflat1]

Theres a fix sorry its like four years late but type in on search "Turn Features on or off" and click it and disable Remote Differential Compression it will speed it up loads because it does the following

PC #1 Compresses File to save bandwith
PC #2 Decompresses File to make it accessible fast

this is time and CPU comsuming so TURN THE DAMN THING OFF !