Search and network drives (returning no results); changing timeout or other ideas?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ker_01
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ker_01

Win XP sp2, IBM/Lenovo laptop(s)

I use a laptop at work and have several network drives mapped. When I am
hooked directly into the network at our site, I can use the search function
and search the drives (normal, expected search behavior). However, when
trying to search from other locations (VPN via broadband in the same city,
or internal company network from another state) the search doesn't seem to
"see" subdirectories or files- there is a several-second pause before the
search starts, then it almost immediately stops and indicates no files
found. I can still navigate these directories manually, so I do have access
permission- this issue is specific to the search function only.

This has happened with two different laptops, two different users, and two
different "away" locations, so that helps eliminate some potential root
causes like corrupt profile, bad network card, etc. Now I'm trying to figure
out what else it could be.

1) It might be a timeout issue, where anything coming in from "outside" the
home site just takes too long to get a response from the server(s). I'd like
to test this, but I don't know if the standard search timeout is 'exposed'
somewhere (like the registry) where I could increase the value and see if
that makes a difference. Does anyone know if this timeout value can be
edited, and where it is?

2) This is a wild guess because I don't know anything about server side
stuff, but are there any settings that could specifically cause delays for
IPs outside of the 'accepted' local hardwire connected IP addresses? My
brain goes to hacker-prevention technology, but I'm not sure why that would
only affect the search while still allowing normal folder access for
legitimate users.

I'd appreciate any and all ideas-
Thanks,
Keith
 
Hello,

Thanks for your post.

Yes, there is a known issue that searching for files or for folders across
a slow network in Microsoft Windows XP may return empty result.

Microsoft KB article:

No results are returned when you search for files or for folders over a
slow network link in Windows Server 2003 or in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/885843

You can request and install the hotfix then check how it works. To obtain
the hotfix, please submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services
from the following Microsoft Web site:
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451


Hope it helps.



Sincerely,
Miles Li

Microsoft Online Partner Support
Microsoft Global Technical Support Center

Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
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That kb describes my symptoms exactly. Thank you for the kb reference; I'll
work with our IT department to get the hotfix installed.

Best regards,
Keith
 
Hello Keith,

I am just writing in to check the problem status with you. Upon our last
observation, the KB article describes the symptoms exactly. Does the hotfix
repair this issue? Please have a sure that we can keep on monitoring this
issue, and once the same problem happens in the further we still be able to
reopen the case at any time. Please kindly let me know your idea about it.

Thanks for your time and nice help again.

Sincerely,
Miles Li

Microsoft Online Partner Support
Microsoft Global Technical Support Center

Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
=====================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
=====================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
 
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