Xref Lag

[TRhoads]

First time poster, but long time AutoCAD user...

Version: AutoCAD 2004
Problem:
When working with an xref background, we are experiencing really bad lag, and delays when working with objects that are drawn on top of an xref. I have restarted the affected computers, restarted the server that all files are housed on, upgraded the network switch...with no results. Tasks that should take fractions of a second, are sometimes lagging anywhere from 3-15 seconds depending on what layers of the xref are un-frozen and visible.

Any help would be great. This issue seems to be getting worse, and varies depending on files, and it is really starting to slow us down.

Thanks in advance!

[SLW210]

What are your computer and graphics card specifications?

[TRhoads]

The problem is happening across more than one computer in the office, my station is a Windows XP Dell Workstation Dual 3.2 GHZ processors with 4 GB of ram, the other station experiencing the issue is roughly the same specs with 4gb of ram. The server is roughly the same too, a little less ram, 2GB IIRC.

[SLW210]

What are the graphics card specs? Is Hardware acceleration on or off?

Do the xrefs contain any Civil 3D or other non Basic AutoCAD objects or third party created objects?

[RobDraw]

I think the problem is more than likely in the XREFs. I've seen that happen when there is one attribute that is not associated with a block. Sometimes TTFs can cause the same type of behavior.

[ReMark]

The drawings you are working with are on the network right? Have you tried downloading one to your desktop and working on it from there?

[TRhoads]

Sorry, Nvidia GeForce 512MB. Hardware Acceleration...not sure, is that set in AutoCAD or in the OS?

[TRhoads]

I think the problem is more than likely in the XREFs. I've seen that happen when there is one attribute that is not associated with a block. Sometimes TTFs can cause the same type of behavior.

I am wondering if it is something along the line of an object in the xref, this issue is sporadic, and does not happen with each file or every xref. We only use one font so I don't think it is font related.

[TRhoads]

The drawings you are working with are on the network right? Have you tried downloading one to your desktop and working on it from there?

I just tested it, copied the files to my desktop, same result as working over the network. I un-referenced the title block, and only had the drawing file and the xref.

[RobDraw]

Was the XREF created in house? Can you post the XREF?