Can older PC slow down network?

[gwillis]

Have 5 assorted pcs networked. 2 of them are 900 MHz, running Win ME, 1 is 450 MHz running Win 98, 1 is 600 MHz running Win 98 and one is 266MHz running Win 98. Had "Guru" tell us that the 266 is slowing the network down to a standstill and that we need to upgrade. Is this correct? Thanks for any info. Networking is still a very grey area for me!

[Tuttle]

A slow machine can certainly slow down traffic involving that machine, but it shouldn't do anything in general.

If you want to prove him wrong, turn off the old machine for a few minutes and watch things not improve.

[TheGorx]

I'm by no means an expert on networking
since I've just have setup one so far
but I'd guess it would depend on how the network is configured.
what's that the topology?

I don't think in my network a system would slow things down.
since eveythng connect to a directly router with a switch on it.

[drbass]

No, I’m with my paeseano Tuttle. I’d be more inclined to have a look at what you have in between and connecting to the machines.

DB

[Newt]

Get the Guru to post his reasoning on here. My guess is we can de-Gu him. 'Cause unless you have a really strange setup, he is talking nonsense if he says one slow PC on the network can seriously affect overall network performance..

[Rapmaster]

Whenever I turn my 486 on and dialup with my 14.4 modem, the whole Internet slows down.

[drbass]

Yes Rapmaster, you’d expect the ‘Internet connection’ to slow down with ‘machines’ sharing the connection. But not the Network in general, that sounds crazy to me and some tech is saying to upgrade the box. Get outa here me thinks? Find a new tech….

DB

[gwillis]

Thanks to one and all who responded. You just authenticated my thoughts on the subject. We did disconnect the 266 from the network and nothing changed. We are in the process of finding a new "guru".

Again, thanks for all the input. I know when I have a question or dilemma I can come to this spot and someone, somewhere will be able to help me!