LAN slow to connect initially

[mr_zen256]

I've noticed that all of the workstations at work have an issue of a delay existing on the initial connection to a networked drive or shared folder.

The delay is around about 10 seconds while you wait for the drive or folder to display and only happens when the workstation first connects to the LAN after being booted. Afterwards, you can access the folder or drive at a similar speed as browsing a local hdd.

Is there a way to eliminate this delay or is it just something you have to live with?

Also, what causes this? Is it the network initializing or something?

 

[Yakyb]

i had this issue once

turned out the hdd was powering down after 5 minutes of inactivity when someone was making a request on it, it would take the drive roughly 10 seconds to power up then everything was normal

 

[mr_zen256]

That would be logical aside from the fact that each workstation has this issue the first time each of them connect to the network for the first time after booting up.

Power saving is also turned off for the HDD in question.

Each machine is running Windows XP Pro SP3