Download Troubleshooting speed problems with SuccessWare

Troubleshooting speed problems with SuccessWare
If you are experiencing poor performance on one or more workstations, check the following:
Workstation and Server Configuration
1. For Windows networks, make sure that TCP/IP is configured and functioning properly on all
computers. Remove all other network protocols (IPX/SPX, NETBUI) from client workstations,
unless there is a server on the network that requires an alternate protocol, or you are running
network software that requires one. If any of these alternate protocols must be used, remove
its bindings to any Microsoft Network components.
2. Computers purchased from many vendors will have IPX/SPX network protocols already installed.
When adding a new computer to your network, check for the IPX/SPX protocol and either
remove it or properly configure the bindings (see #1 above). New computers should also be
checked for any other unnecessary protocols.
3. Have the latest Operating System service packs and updates installed.
4. To optimize available resources, remove any other unnecessary programs from StartUp. Make
sure that no unnecessary Services are installed.
5. Disable the screen saver or set it to ”Blank Screen Only” on your server and all workstations so
that it no longer has moving images. The resources to animate the screen saver displays are
considerable and can slow down file access considerably for all users on the network if it is
running on the server.
6. On a Windows NT server, set Performance Boost to None (in Control Panel / System,
Performance tab).
7. Check all PCs for viruses.
8. Disable virus auto-protect on PC’s that do not use internet connections. Virus scanning should
be set up as a task to run automatically at night when the computer is not in use.
9. Disable Microsoft FindFast indexing, or set the timing to a large interval, so that it only runs once
or twice a day. FindFast setup can be accessed from the Control Panel.
10. Try setting Connection Type in the network adapter properties to 100MB Full Duplex (assuming
you are running a 100baseT network).
11. Make sure that ODBC Tracing is not enabled – Start / Settings / Control Panel / ODBC
Datasources (32-bit). Select the Tracing tab. If the button under ‘When to trace’ reads ‘Stop
Tracing Now’, click it so that it reads ‘Start Tracing Now’. Then click OK.
Network Issues
1. We require the use of 100BaseT network switches, not hubs. Hubs are not sufficient for the
amount of network traffic generated by a multi-user database application.
9276 Main St., Bldg 2  Clarence, New York 14031
Phone 716 565-2338  Fax 716 565-2328
www.successware21.com
2. Verify that network packets are being transmitted/received without error. Windows NT Server
has utilities (Network Monitor and Performance Monitor) that can aid in this task.
Operating Procedures
1. In SuccessWare, periodically check your unscheduled calls (Call Center or Job Manager) –
complete or cancel, as necessary. A large number of unscheduled calls (> 50 or so) will degrade the
performance of the call center.
2. Windows workstations should be shut down at least once a day to insure the availability of
maximum resources. Use the following instructions for restarting each of your computers:
 All users must exit SuccessWare software at the end of each day.
 Close any other Windows programs that may be running.
 After all running programs are closed, use the Windows Start/Shutdown/Restart option to
restart the computer.
3. Do not run unnecessary software. Leaving spreadsheets, web browsers, word processors and
other software running in the background requires system resources. When these resources are
running low, the probability of failure increases. When you need to use other software, launch
it, complete your work, then close it.
4. Do not play music CDs on the workstation. This also utilizes system resources.
5. (For Access users) Periodically compact the SuccessWare21 databases. In SuccessWare, from
the 21 Main Menu, Select Setup > Utilities > Compact Databases, and follow the instructions. Be
patient – this could take a while. You should compact your databases every other week to
insure optimum performance. Make sure all users are out of SuccessWare when compacting.
6. Periodically run Windows Scandisk utility on all workstation hard drives and repair errors.
7. Periodically run Defrag to defragment hard drives. (Defrag and ScanDisk should be set up as
Scheduled Tasks to run automatically at night when the computer is not in use).
8. Periodically check for adequate free disk space on server and all local drives. The file server
should not get below 500 MB free. Local drives should not get below 200 MB free.
9. Periodically check the integrity of network cabling and connections.
10. Once a month, reboot your file server (See your local network administrator for assistance)
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