Moving files on server (via network share) painfully slow

div0 · 3 Feb 2013 at 18:07

Not sure how best to explain this, but basically I've got a server running Win 7 HP and when I log into it using something like LogMeIn, then I can move files from one folder/drive on the server to another folder/drive on the server without any problem. But if I try to do the same thing (ie move files on the server) using network shared folders, then the transfer is painfully slow (estimates 21 hours for 7.5GB).

It's almost as if it is trying to transfer the files over the network, but it shouldn't need to, as they're just being moved to a new location on the server.

Any suggestions?

I just want to be able to 'manage' files on the server as easily as possible. LogMeIn is great, but I should only really need to use that when I'm outwith my home network. Surely when I'm on the home network there should be an easy way for me to do this.

Thanks.

bledd · 4 Feb 2013 at 09:42

I was about to say, use Remote Desktop. But that is only on W7 Pro/Ultimate and server OS's

enigmo · 4 Feb 2013 at 09:53

bledd. said:
I was about to say, use Remote Desktop. But that is only on W7 Pro/Ultimate and server OS's

If his version of 7 doesn't support RDP, then he should patch it so it does. Google is your friend on this.
Windows without RDP... Might as well give me a string of sausages and tell me that's my Internet.

bledd · 4 Feb 2013 at 15:10

Aha, I'd forgotten about that, used to do it with XP home. Now I just buy Pro licences

div0 · 12 Feb 2013 at 09:32

Thanks for the Remote Desktop suggestion. I've managed to install it and it all seems to work, however....

Since applying the RD 'patch' my WDTV Live now fails to play any videos/music from my server (running Plex). The WDTV sees all of the files, but sits with a spinning hour glass when you try to play anything. It can still open up photos from the Plex Media Server though.

Have tried to rule out a problem with Plex, by testing the WDTV using a Network Share and this also fails to play any music/videos in the same way.

Was all working fine immediately before applying the Remote Desktop patch.

Any suggestions on what it may be?

I see my options as:

1) Back-out the RD patch - How?
2) Figure out the problem and fix it.
3) Install a proper server OS.

Appreciate any suggestions.

unleashed · 12 Feb 2013 at 11:06

div0 said:
Thanks for the Remote Desktop suggestion. I've managed to install it and it all seems to work, however....

Since applying the RD 'patch' my WDTV Live now fails to play any videos/music from my server (running Plex). The WDTV sees all of the files, but sits with a spinning hour glass when you try to play anything. It can still open up photos from the Plex Media Server though.

Have tried to rule out a problem with Plex, by testing the WDTV using a Network Share and this also fails to play any music/videos in the same way.

Was all working fine immediately before applying the Remote Desktop patch.

Any suggestions on what it may be?

I see my options as:

1) Back-out the RD patch - How?
2) Figure out the problem and fix it.
3) Install a proper server OS.

Appreciate any suggestions.

I would go for option 3. WHS 2011 is a fairly decent OS for a home server setup and you should be able to pickup a copy for less than £40. Not sure if it is still available for trial.

Clav · 12 Feb 2013 at 11:10

Thing is though remote desktop isn't going to help with the initial problem. Logmein is perfectly fine to use as a remote desktop client. The issue you describe is not an issue at all and working as intended. SMB shares are totally separate entities to the actual disk locations beneath them. If you initiate a copy over the network then it will copy with network speeds.

div0 · 12 Feb 2013 at 11:38

Clav said:
Thing is though remote desktop isn't going to help with the initial problem. Logmein is perfectly fine to use as a remote desktop client.

Having managed to get Remote Desktop running, I would say that it meets my needs better than LogMeIn. LMI is good, don't get me wrong, but Remote Desktop seems a bit slicker.

I can be at my Servers desktop in a single click (well actually double click).
I can use function keys (Ctrl/Shift) much more easily.
With LMI I used to be able to move one set of files successfully and then the second copy/paste would result in Windows Explorer crashing and restarting on the Server. No idea why, but so far the problem doesn't seem to happen when using RD.

Clav said:
The issue you describe is not an issue at all and working as intended. SMB shares are totally separate entities to the actual disk locations beneath them. If you initiate a copy over the network then it will copy with network speeds.

I had a feeling that this was probably the case. But it is an issue. It may be working as intended, but it is not working as I require. Hence the request for an alternative solution.

div0 · 19 Feb 2013 at 11:18

div0 said:
Since applying the RD 'patch' my WDTV Live now fails to play any videos/music from my server (running Plex). The WDTV sees all of the files, but sits with a spinning hour glass when you try to play anything. It can still open up photos from the Plex Media Server though.

Have tried to rule out a problem with Plex, by testing the WDTV using a Network Share and this also fails to play any music/videos in the same way.

Was all working fine immediately before applying the Remote Desktop patch.

I eventually tracked the problem down to the WDTV box.

Updated the WDTV firmware and still had a problem, but did a hard reset and now everything seems to be working fine.

Confused · 19 Feb 2013 at 11:50

If you're "on" the server itself (either directly, or by LogMeIn etc), then browsing to \\server\share1 and \\server\share2 should be relatively quick (the speed of your hard drives)

If you're doing it from another PC, it will need to transfer everything across the network to the other PC, and back to the server.