It sounds like you have network troubles. If 80% of the available bandwidth is being used - your in trouble. I'd get a network meter on the system and see just how many collisions are going on. But in the end upgrade the network to 100Mb or better and then check. At least replace the NIC for the Server. One more thing - make sure your not using a HUB which shares the bandwidth. If you are using a HUB go out and buy a switch. Do that alone will provide 10 times the performance any changes to the code will do.

John