Did you see an error like below while running a load test in Visual studio 2010 ? There is an easy solution, I know you already checked the firewall issue, permission issue and service issue but do not know where to change the Timout setting...
The performance counter category 'Network Interface' cannot be accessed on computer 'ComputerName' (Access is denied) ; check that the category and computer names are correct
Timeout Issue: Timeout may happen if you are collecting counters from remote / slow box e.g. remote web server. We can increase the timeout by adding this key in controller config file Controller.exe.config:
<appSettings>
<add key="LoadTestCounterCategoryReadTimeout" value="60000"/>
<add key="LoadTestCounterCategoryExistsTimeout" value="60000"/>
< /appSettings>
You’ll find Controller.exe.config inside %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\Common7\IDEat your test controller box. In case you are not using test controller and doing a local run then please add above mentioned key in devenv.exe.config which you’ll find inside%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\Common7\IDE at your client (VS Ultimate) box.