Copy across network fails... sometimes

[Scarabaeus]

I am having difficulty copying files across my network. Below is a description of my problem.

I have two systems networked via a cable/dsl router.

System #1 is Win98SE

System #2 is Win XP Home

I can successfully browse each system from the other and have the proper permissions for file sharing.

I want to transfer files from #1 to #2.

From system #2:

I open Windows Explorer and browse to the destination folder on #2

I open Windows Explorer and browse to the source folder on #1 (via network neighborhood)

I select the folders to copy from #1 by highlighting and dragging them to the destination folder on #2 and dropping them.

I immediatley get an error message "Cannot Copy File: Cannot Read from the Source File or Disk".

If I perform the same procedure and select only one folder, the copy succeeds.

If I perform the same procedure with three folders, the copy succeeds

It seems as though the amount of data to be copy affects the success of the copy.

Anyone have any ideas on what is preventing the en masse copy???

As always any help is appreciated.

[Sonic]

I havn't the solution, but try SuperCopier or alternative file manager to copy data ...

[Scarabaeus]

Thanks for the suggestion.

I do have other alternatives to accomplish the data transfer, but...

that still leaves me with an uncorrected problem.

Copies between the systems should be transparent.

Thanks again

[Scarabaeus]

New Info.

Have had some time to look further into the symptoms.

I have added a third system to the network:

System #3 is Win XP Home

The symptoms below describe all copy permutations of the three systems

I can copy single or multiple files.

I can copy single or multiple folders with multiple files.

I cannot copy single or multiple folders that contain one or more subfolders.

This is aggrevating to say the least, and for the most part defeats the purpose

of networking.

Thanks for any help...

[firefoxthebomb]

winxp and win98 do not network together very well.

instead of browsing to the computers using network neighborhood try actually mapping the drives and see if that helps. Also if any file is being used by the win98 system you will probably get an error because the file is locked and in use. one good way to copy the entire folder or even the entire drive is to use the xcopy command.

you can use XCOPY C:\*.* /E /H /K /R /C D:

this command copies entire contents of c: to a drive called d: change your drive letters according to the mapped drives. Also you could add a folder at the end like d:\backup for example

hope this helps.

[Scarabaeus]

Thanks for the reply.

I had already tried mapping the drives.

Had also made sure that the files to be copied where not in use.

Still the same problem exists between both XP systems without 98se in the mix.

Thanks again.

[EchoNoise]

How about running up a Direct Connect Server (OPENDCD http://opendcd.sourceforge.net/) and then use DC++ to connect to it? That way you can resume files and what not...

Its a really odd way to do it, but it works for me when I'm having trouble

[firefoxthebomb]

then I would try that xcopy command.

Just a thought, have you tried restarting your network hub, switch, or router? that happens to me sometimes and it goes away once I restart my switch.