As far as Novell goes, here are troubleshooting tips for problems with workstations locking up connecting to Novell 4.x and 5.x servers, not achieving file locks, etc:

Some things to try:

Make the following Client settings (at the problem workstations):
use extended file handles = on
close behind ticks = 0
opportunistic locking = off
File Caching Enabled=OFF
Delay Write =OFF
End Of Job =ON
Cache Writes = OFF
Hold Files = ON
True Commit = ON

There is a problem in the opportunistic locking code in FILESYS.NLM. This causes client requests to stack up waiting to get access to the volume. Install the correct patch:
FLSYSFT3.EXE for Netware 5.1 sp2a. or
FLSYSFT4.EXE for a Netware 5.1 SP3.

Ensure the MAXIMUM FILE LOCKS PER CONNECTION is set at the server for the number of file locks required by the application and client (raise this number).

If there are any virus scanning software on the machine like Norton or McAfee, remove them temporarily from the workstation and reboot it and see if they might have been causing the problem.

YOu can change the settings in Novell:

http://support.novell.com/cgi-bin/search/searchtid.cgi?/10025341.htm

Supported values: 100 to 400000.
Default: 20000.

Increase the value of this parameter if users have problems running applications and receive messages indicating that not enough record locks are available. Decrease the value of this parameter if client connections are using an excessive amount of server resources

Here are the SET-parameters you need to modify:

(the default values are for NW4.11)
Maximum Record Locks Per Connection (default: 500, range 10 - 100000)
Maximum File Locks Per Connection (default :250, range 10 - 1000)
Maximum Record Locks (default :20000, range 100 - 400000)
Maximum File Locks (default: 10000, range 100-100000)

A rule of thumb is to double the parameters and monitor if the problem persists.

This means when the parameters had been at default, the parameters should be set at the server console to e.g.:
SET Maximum Record Locks Per Connection=1000
SET Maximum File Locks Per Connection=500
SET Maximum Record Locks=40000
SET Maximum File Locks=20000

Since these problems have occurred numerous times, you should cleanly uninstall and reinstall the novell client before testing everything else:
1. Run UNC32.EXE to uninstall the client on Windows 95/98.
2. Delete the C:\NOVELL directory.
3. Reinstall the LATEST NOVELL client from scratch.

Check the Half Vs. Full Duplex duplex settings on the network cards.