Vista Offline Files Disconnects Frequently

[steve1999]

We have a small office network with 2 new Dell PCs, both with Vista Business preinstalled, one Latitude D630 notebook, one Optiplex 745 desktop, both with 2 GB RAM. They are connected together with a new Linksys WAG200G router. We use the Public directory on the desktop as the main folder for both PCs and use file sharing to access this directory.

The problem we have is that file sharing will disconnect frequently, the notebook will show that file sharing is offline even when the PCs remain connected. We can ping each other’s machine, but no file sharing, and therefore, the notebook can’t sync to the Public directory on the desktop. The only way to regain the connections is to restart both machines, as well as the router.

The disconnection always occurs after the desktop user has modified or added a file in the Public directory and then the notebook user tries to access the folder in which the modified file is located. Accessing the folder will take significant time, 20 – 30 seconds, and then it will disconnect. This happens at least 50% of time. Very frustrating. The problem occurs whether the notebook is connected wired or wireless.

I have tried a number of things to fix the problem, but none have been successful. These include setting Autotuning to both Off and Limited, turning off IPv6, setting static IP addresses on both machines.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated