Maybe it's just me, but Dreamweaver CS4 seems to be spending way too much time with background file activity. I'll put a file, then have to quit Dreamweaver in order to get back to work, because it will never stop with background file activity. Whatever is going on (and I can't view the log, since it's always actively trying to do something with the server) always times out, and the process starts again. Dreamweaver Developer Toolbox is installed, so it may be related to that. I'm about to call Tech Support, which I am sure will be fruitless, but it's a start.
Hey James:
I have the exact same problem. Been searching for a solution with no luck. Have u solved the problem yet?
best regards
Having faced this in Dreamweaver CS5 as well, I learned that the problem comes from file checkin and checkout. When the site has a lot of files (remember that my site uses ADDT, which has thousands of files), the checkin-checkout confirmation can take a very, very long time. Since I'm the only person working on the site, I turned off checkin and checkout, and things work much more smoothly now.
In CS4, it's under Site>Manage Sites then choose your site. Click Advanced, then click Remote. Disable file checkin/checkout.
In CS5, it's under Site>Manage Sites, then choose your site. Click Servers, and choose the remote server. Click the pencil icon to edit the settings, then choose Advanced. Uncheck the box next to "Enable file check-out"