Article ID: 900387 - Last Review: October 9, 2011 - Revision: 3.0

Windows XP uses the Offline Files feature even on a fast connection after you set the “Configure Slow Link Speed” Group Policy

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SYMPTOMS

You set the Configure Slow Link Speed Group Policy so that networked computers use offline files when those computers access a network share over a slow connection. However, Microsoft Windows XP-based computers go offline and use the Offline Files feature even when the network to which these computers are connected has sufficient speed and bandwidth available.

Note You experience this behavior even if you set the following registry entry to disable Offline Files on a slow link:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\NetCache

Value name: GoOfflineOnSlowLink
Value type: REG_DWORD
Value data: 00000000

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CAUSE

This problem occurs because Windows XP does not correctly calculate the network throughput over a TCP/IP connection. When TCP reports the network throughput in this situation, no averaging is performed against the reported network speeds. Instead, TCP reports only the throughput of the most recent send operation. Therefore, the reported network speeds may greatly vary.

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RESOLUTION

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support)

Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required to install this hotfix.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1)

   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
   --------------------------------------------------------------
   28-Oct-2004  01:29  5.1.2600.1599      92,160  Cscdll.dll
   01-Jun-2005  00:07  5.1.2600.1696     431,232  Mrxsmb.sys
   12-Oct-2004  16:22  5.1.2600.1599     170,112  Rdbss.sys
   01-Jun-2005  00:07  5.1.2600.1696     340,480  Tcpip.sys

Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)

   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
   --------------------------------------------------------------
   01-Jun-2005  00:02  5.1.2600.2688     452,864  Mrxsmb.sys
   31-May-2005  23:59  5.1.2600.2688     360,448  Tcpip.sys

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