Scenario is as follows: Rebuilt my server with (I believe) the same configuration as my old server. I'm running Windows Server 2003 Enterprise 32 bit and am having major issues with file transfers/copying. When copying a larger file from my PC which is on the domain(a 3GB for example) the copying process freezes up roughly 3/4 of the way and I get a "network path no longer exists or not available" message. This is by using Windows explorer, robocopy, xcopy, you name it. I should also mention that this completely locks up the server as well. The really strange thing I discovered after about 3 or 4 rebuilds and a lot of swearing is that this problem does not exist until I define my server role. I was able to copy 32GB of data with no problem after a fresh install with no roles defined. As soon as I set up the Domain Controller/DNS server role the file copying problem surfaced. File copying from folder to folder on the same drive on the server is ridiculously slow too as soon as a role is defined, although it is ultimately successful. Before assigning a role the copying acts normally and is much faster. What really has me confused is file transfer from server to client (my PC) works like a champ with no problems. I've turned off SMB signing, increased page file size, disk quotas are off, and I added the TcpAck setting to the registry but the problem still persists. Please, please help me.

Update: Well I've narrowed the problem down to the Domain Controller/Active Directory Role. Every other defined role has no effect on the copying. Any thoughts?

Hello Atotheb, Thank you for posting in Windows Server forum. According to your description, I understand that you received an error "network path no longer exists or not available" message when you copying data on a Windows 2003 DC locally. Please check if the following KB address the issue:Slow network performance occurs if you copy files to a domain controller that is running Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;321098For more information, please also check the following KBs:Configuring opportunistic locking in Windows http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;296264Slow performance when you use a mapped drive to copy files to a remote server from a Windows Server 2003-based computerhttp://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;885189New registry entry for controlling the TCP Acknowledgment (ACK) behavior in Windows XP and in Windows Server 2003http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;328890If you have any concern or question, please do not hestiate to let me know. Best Regards, Wilson Jia This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Hi There,This is strange, copying to same disk shouldnt be slow , because it doesnt invlove any networking component to be involved.I would concentrate on this behavior as a first priority " File copying from folder to folder on the same drive on the server is ridiculously slow too as soon as a role is defined, although it is ultimately successful"And later check for the communication / file transfer on the network.Please do check this behavior using safe mode which is very important and post us the results.