OPEN takes a long time

[LanceMcHatton]

We just got 2009 LT a couple months back and haven't had any problems until recently. When I try to OPEN a drawing now, it takes about 10-15 minutes to get to the file window. I can go to the recently open file list and do it there no problem. I can even double click on a drawing file in Windows Explorer with no problem.

The last time this happened, I was able to do a cold boot and everything was fine. Not today.

[rkmcswain]

Probably a dead shortcut or something else that AutoCAD is looking for but cannot find. First test = unplug the network cable and try again. Does the delay go away?

[LanceMcHatton]

Probably a dead shortcut or something else that AutoCAD is looking for but cannot find. First test = unplug the network cable and try again. Does the delay go away?

I have a wireless network adaptor connected to USB. I right-clicked on the network connection icon in the system tray and disabled it. Tried using OPEN again and everything was perfect. Enabled it again and it started taking forever again.

So now we know it has something to do with the network connection.

[rkmcswain]

So now we know it has something to do with the network connection.

Probably not. It's just that whatever AutoCAD is looking for, it's willing to search the network connection - which can take forever.

Without a network connection, AutoCAD (probably more specifically, the O/S) won't even try to find this missing file/directory. However, if a network connection is present, I guess it figures it should look for a while in case of a slow connection.

Use FileMon to see if you can figure it out. See: http://cadpanacea.com/node/71 for some tips.

[LanceMcHatton]

Ok, I did the FileMon thing and it looks like when I try to bring up a file window (OPEN, INSERT, SAVE a new drawing, etc.) it's looking for the HOSTS.ICS file in \windows\system32\drivers\etc\.

I know that the day before it starting happening constantly, my computer automatically installed a Windows update overnight.

So, now what do I do about this? Should I try to uninstall the last Windows update?

[bruno.vankogelenberg]

Hosts.ics is some network configuration file. You could try to open it and look for an invalid connection. Maybe editing this file is an option (visit Microsoft for details).

[LanceMcHatton]

Hosts.ics is some network configuration file. You could try to open it and look for an invalid connection. Maybe editing this file is an option (visit Microsoft for details).

But it's not there any more. Should I uninstall the last Windows update to get it back?

[rkmcswain]

HOSTS.ICS is for Internet Connection sharing. I doubt this is where AutoCAD is hanging up.

It's usually a dead shortcut that causes this behavior. Download "OrphansRemover" and run it to see if you have any (and remove) dead shortcuts.

Check your PC3 and CTB/STB paths for dead shortcuts to the "Add a plotter wizard" and "Add a plot style wizard" too -- although these usually just hose the PLOT command.

[LanceMcHatton]

I found out what the problem was...

We just have 3 computers here, each one being a workstation. There is no server. We're all on wireless network and we all have shortcuts and dwgs. on each computer.

One guy who does a lot of drawing is out on vacation this week and turned his computer off. There are drawing from his computer on my "Recent" list in AutoCAD.

I turned his computer back on and everything is fine.

I still ran both of those other programs so at least my computer's a little cleaner for the whole experience.

Thanks for your help!

[jaberwok]

Do your bosses realise that wireless networking is inherently slower than wired?