Losing wired connection

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Aubryn

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Jun 3, 2010
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I have a wired connection that has been working fine the past year up until now. I randomly lose connection and I have to reboot to get the connection back again. I've already unchecked the option that allows the computer to power down my Ethernet adapter but it still didn't solve the problem. I usually lose once a day but now it seems to happen to me every 20-30 mins.

Can't seem to solve this, any help would be much appreciated.
 
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SchizTech


Can I take this to mean re-setting the router didn't help? What kind of router is it, and is it separate from the modem? It's generally not recommended to run the PC directly to the modem (due to lack of firewall) but in this circumstance it might be a useful troubleshooting step: if there are no problems with a direct wired connection to the modem then the router is the problem.
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SchizTech

SchizTech

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What version of Windows are you running? Also, provide some info about the driver: in the device manager, under Network Adapters, what is the model and is the driver from Microsoft or the manufacturer (find this under the Driver tab in Properties when you right-click the device)?
 
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SchizTech

SchizTech

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So it happens with both the onboard ethernet and that dongle? Can you see what happens if you boot into safe mode with networking? Pressing F8 on startup should give you a menu of startup options, where you can use the keyboard arrow keys to move up and down and press enter to select the desired boot option. Ordinary safe mode disables the network but "Safe mode with networking" lets you use the network. For troubleshooting you can loop a video on youtube to easily be able to observe any outage.

Also, do you have any other devices on the local network at home? If so, do they have any problems with connectivity?

Here are my thoughts so far: if I'm right in reading that you have the same problem with two different network adapters (onboard and external) it's unlikely to be the PC hardware since having two different parts malfunction in the exact same manner is unlikely. So if it is the PC I'd guess a software issue (hence the safe mode test). It's also possible that the network router is causing trouble. That can be reset by turning it off or unplugging the power to it for a minute or two before re-starting it.
 
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SchizTech

SchizTech

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Alright. I can make a few suggestions to attempt to resolve that:

- check for malware (malwarebytes is excellent, also junkware removal tool by malwarebytes, ad-aware, adwcleaner)
- if you recall when the issue began, try a system restore to a restore point before the problem started
- uninstall and re-install driver
- reset network settings -> https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/299357 also at an administrator command prompt (type "cmd" into the search box in Start, right click and run as admin) "netsh winsock reset"

If nothing else works, the final option is a re-install of Windows
 
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Aubryn

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I just downloaded maleware bytes and it detected and removed over 700 threats....I thought my Norton Anti-Virus would be enough. Hopefully the issue is resolved.
 
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Neur0nauT

Neur0nauT

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Norton is only an antivirus program. MalwareBytes is an antimalware program. The two are slightly different.

You can learn more about the differences HERE

 
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SchizTech

SchizTech

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Alright, I take it the malware scan reduced the frequency but didn't eliminate the problem. There are still a few other ideas I'd posted above.

As to the next after malware scans, you can search in the start menu for "restore point" and select "create a restore point" or "restore this PC to an earlier point in time" (both point to same utility) or manually browse to it under Accessories > System tools > System restore. The first restore point automatically selected is usually the most recent but you should be able to go to "choose another restore point" and see a calendar showing available points. Try to choose one from before the network issue started.
 
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SchizTech

SchizTech

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OK. I feel like we're getting to the point where it will be worthwhile to invoke the nuclear option (back up your stuff, format and re-install everything) as opposed to tearing our hair out hunting down some issue in the settings. What are your thoughts on that (and do you have the windows license key saved). If you need a copy of the Windows software:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7
 
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Aubryn

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Same issue here, But my connection cuts off every time I launch an update for a game.

The patch downloads for a minute and then my entire connection cuts off.

Any idea what could be triggering this?
 
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Aubryn

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I just formatted the hard drive and I still ran into the same problem.

I have a wired connection for my desktop and when my connection drops my laptops wireless connection works flawlessly.....I don't know that the problem could be.

PLEASE HELP!
 
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SchizTech

SchizTech

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Are there any other WIRED connections to the router? I'd do a reset on that router (shut off for a couple of minutes and restart). If that doesn't work the next step is to plug the cable to the desktop into a different LAN port. Finally consider replacing it if all else fails. Re-reading the thread I noticed the second adapter you tried is also a wired adapter, not a wireless one. I was under the impression both wired and wireless connections failed on the desktop hence the reason I stopped looking for hardware solutions. If only wired connections fail and a wipeout does no good that changes the picture.
 
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SchizTech

SchizTech

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Jan 16, 2011
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Can I take this to mean re-setting the router didn't help? What kind of router is it, and is it separate from the modem? It's generally not recommended to run the PC directly to the modem (due to lack of firewall) but in this circumstance it might be a useful troubleshooting step: if there are no problems with a direct wired connection to the modem then the router is the problem.
 
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khadijah792

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Dec 29, 2016
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Aubryn

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Hey all,

I didn't want to make a separate thread on this issue since i'm still having the same issues.
Whenever I try to have windows "troubleshoot problems" my mouse and keyboard power off.

Could this be malware?

I am really confused about all this....


Thank you!
 
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SchizTech

SchizTech

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Jan 16, 2011
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Sorry for a late reply. Having the mouse and keyboard go off like that is really weird though. It theoretically could be malware but it'd be a pretty oddball one.

Just to go over what's been done: full scans and/or a full reinstall of Windows? If that had no effect I'd look to hardware issues. What are your specs?

 
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Aubryn

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Jun 3, 2010
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I've tried resetting my ATT modem, a Malware bytes & Norton virus scan, I even went out and bought a usb network adapter to try and fix the issue.

After all that, I thought reinstalling windows would fix the problem, still no fix.

System Specs:
AMD FX-8350
Nvidia GTX 1070
G.SKILL F3 DDR3 16gb
WINDOWS 7 64
 
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SchizTech

SchizTech

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Jan 16, 2011
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At this point I'm sorry to say the only common element is the motherboard. It's really spooky to have devices like the mouse and keyboard just turn off, and the same basic thing could be behind the network (whether on-board or PCIe or USB plugin) lapses.

If by some chance your board is under warranty, invoke it. Otherwise, take it as an omen from the PC gods that they want you to get that upgrade you've thought about :p.
 
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