Internet connection shuts off and on for no reason

alysenne

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May 8, 2006
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Internet access through my browsers and online games seems to shut off for no apparent reason. It just started doing this a couple days ago.

If I wait long enough, it'll sometimes come back again. If I reboot, it's back online again. Strangely, bittorrent seems to keep working without any problems. I can also ping websites by name.

I'm having a really hard time troubleshooting my problem. I'm really not sure where to start looking.

I've tried turning on and off the antivirus and firewalls. I've run virus and spyware scans. I tried using a different network card. It doesn't seem to be the router since the other computers in my house work fine. My computer dual boots with Vista and I don't seem to have a problem in Vista.

EDIT: It just happened again immediately after I posted this message in IE7. I could no longer connect to any websites. I closed the IE7 window and booted up Firefox, which worked fine. When I opened IE7 again, it was working again as well. All of this happened within 1 minute.

EDIT: Another example of strange behavior. Right now, Firefox is giving me 'Unable to connect' when I try to browse. But it's also in the middle of downloading a huge file without any problems. Bittorrent is working fine. And I'm posting this on IE7.

Any suggestions?
 

site3op

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Jan 3, 2006
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Is your network wireless? That could be part of the problem, depending on how far from the router you are. You could also check into swapping out your wiring, if you're wired.

You mentioned " can also ping websites by name." Is this during the times you can't browse? If so, do you run a firewall external to your PC?

If wireless, check your DHCP settings, security on router such as access restrictions, etc.

Have you tried removing your router from the equation and just using your PC direct to your modem (guessing router based on statement of other PCs.)

There's always a possiblity of some malware.
 

edklite

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Dec 29, 2006
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you need the XP TCP patch

you half open connections are getting filled up and bittorrent will speed that up.

change your limit to something very hi if you use bittorrent.

I do lots of filesharing myself and mine is set at 9999999 but you probably don't need to go that high.

set it at 100 if it still happens keeps raising it and testing it till you don't' get locked any more ;)
 

alysenne

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May 8, 2006
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1) I'm on a wired ethernet connection. When I boot into Vista, I have no problems using the same ethernet card and cable.

2) When I can no longer access websites/games, I can still ping websites by name. i.e. ping google.com. I think my router has a port forwarding capability, but it doesn't seem to work properly. I've had to wrestle with my router for a long time by testing out various firmware versions. Some versions cause the router to fail when bittorrent is running. As a result, until I buy a new router, I'd rather not change anything since it seems to run fine as it is now.

3) This computer works fine using Vista. The five other computers accessing the router works fine. So I don't think the router is the point of failure.

4) Bittorrent isn't causing the problem. I still get this problem when BT isn't running. I mentioned BT because I thought it strange that Firefox/IE7 stops working, but BT still chugs along.
 

alysenne

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May 8, 2006
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I don't understand it, but after installing the patch that edklite recommended, it seems my problem is fixed. I've been on my computer for the past 5 hours and no glitches so far.

Thanks.

Good thing I thought to post here because there is absolutely no way it would have occurred to me to try something like what he recommended.
 

alysenne

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May 8, 2006
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After a couple days, the problem started happening again and no amount of fiddling with the patch made any difference. I also tried TCP Optimizer and WinsockXPFix. Nada.

But what eventually fixed it is Dial-a-fix. I still have no idea exactly what problem my system was having, but happily I don't have to reinstall XP.
 

alysenne

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Many hours of troubleshooting without success leads one to eventually want to just reinstall and start from a clean slate. Anyways, it's not a bad idea to format/reinstall XP every so often. A lot of junk accumulates.

Yes, I have a router, but 6 other computers accessing the same router don't have problems. Nor did I have problems when I boot Vista.

I'm actually not quite sure if dial-a-fix did fix my problem completely. After a full day of use, the problem happened again. I restarted and it's been hours without an issue, but now I'm not confident in my computer.
 

edklite

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Dec 29, 2006
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for your problem a reinstall is absolutly not nesessary, a repair is all that is needed if such a thing was needed at all, which in this case it does not.

if you use something like CCleaner and clean your pc properly then no just files are needed.

last time I reinstalled was like 4 years ago and my pc is very clean.

now have you checked to make sure your tcp limit is still what you have set it at?

if yes then lets see a Hijackthis log something is not right there.
 

alysenne

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May 8, 2006
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I do use CCleaner, but I don't know. After a while, the computer just feels a little slower and slower. It boots up a little slower, etc. It could just be all in my head. Part of the 'problem' is that I love installing and trying out new applications/games. I guess I should put more effort into ensuring that each application is cleanly uninstalled when I'm done with it.

As for the TCP limit, yes, I ran it several times to raise it higher. Each time I ran it, it was the value I had previously set.

Thanks a lot for taking the time to help me.

Here's the hijackthis log. It looks okay to me.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 6:30:14 AM, on 6/23/2007
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16441)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\AOL\Active Virus Shield\avp.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\Program Files\Comodo\Firewall\cmdagent.exe
C:\Program Files\Executive Software\Diskeeper\DkService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\CTHELPER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\PowerISO\PWRISOVM.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logitech\G-series Software\LGDCore.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RunDLL32.exe
C:\Program Files\AOL\Active Virus Shield\avp.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\isuspm.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\wcescomm.exe
C:\Program Files\GPSoftware\Directory Opus\DOpus.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\SetPoint\SetPoint.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\rapimgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Orbitdownloader\orbitdm.exe
C:\Program Files\3M\PSNLite\PsnLite.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logitech\khalshared\KHALMNPR.EXE
C:\Program Files\Orbitdownloader\orbitnet.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\3M\PSNLite\PSNGive.exe
C:\Program Files\AWC\AWC.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\uTorrent\utorrent.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ntvdm.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\DVDREG~1\DVDRegionFree.exe
C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\Nero Recode\Recode.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MOZILL~1\FIREFOX.EXE
D:\Installation\9a. Repair Internet Connectivity\hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.netvibes.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.comcast.net/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = :0
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
O2 - BHO: btorbit.com - {000123B4-9B42-4900-B3F7-F4B073EFC214} - C:\Program Files\Orbitdownloader\orbitcth.dll
O2 - BHO: Groove GFS Browser Helper - {72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office12\GRA8E1~1.DLL
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_01\bin\ssv.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTHelper] CTHELPER.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTxfiHlp] CTXFIHLP.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Kernel and Hardware Abstraction Layer] KHALMNPR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EPSON Stylus Photo R200 Series] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_S4I2H1.EXE /P30 "EPSON Stylus Photo R200 Series" /O6 "USB001" /M "Stylus Photo R200"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PWRISOVM.EXE] C:\Program Files\PowerISO\PWRISOVM.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Launch LGDCore] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logitech\G-series Software\LGDCore.exe" /SHOWHIDE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RunDLL32.exe NvMCTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [aol] "C:\Program Files\AOL\Active Virus Shield\avp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSPM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\isuspm.exe" -scheduler
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [amd_dc_opt] C:\Program Files\AMD\Dual-Core Optimizer\amd_dc_opt.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [H/PC Connection Agent] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\wcescomm.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [DOpus] C:\Program Files\GPSoftware\Directory Opus\DOpus.exe
O4 - Startup: AWC (lower priority).lnk = C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Logitech SetPoint.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: Orbit.lnk = C:\Program Files\Orbitdownloader\orbitdm.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Post-it® Software Notes Lite.lnk = C:\Program Files\3M\PSNLite\PsnLite.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Download by Orbit - res://C:\Program Files\Orbitdownloader\orbitmxt.dll/201
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Grab video by Orbit - res://C:\Program Files\Orbitdownloader\orbitmxt.dll/204
O8 - Extra context menu item: Do&wnload selected by Orbit - res://C:\Program Files\Orbitdownloader\orbitmxt.dll/203
O8 - Extra context menu item: Down&load all by Orbit - res://C:\Program Files\Orbitdownloader\orbitmxt.dll/202
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_01\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_01\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Create Mobile Favorite - {2EAF5BB1-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Create Mobile Favorite... - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra button: Search Wizard - {828780F4-D063-4a87-A517-DF6DD7F4B9F9} - C:\Program Files\ZillionDigits\Search Wizard\SearchWizard.dll (HKCU)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Search Wizard - {828780F4-D063-4a87-A517-DF6DD7F4B9F9} - C:\Program Files\ZillionDigits\Search Wizard\SearchWizard.dll (HKCU)
O11 - Options group: [INTERNATIONAL] International*
O16 - DPF: {69EF49E5-FE46-4B92-B5FA-2193AB7A6B8A} (GameLauncher Control) - http://www.acclaim.com/cabs/acclaim_v4.cab
O16 - DPF: {CD995117-98E5-4169-9920-6C12D4C0B548} (HGPlugin9USA Class) - http://gamedownload.ijjimax.com/gamedownload/dist/hgstart/HGPlugin9USA.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/get/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab
O18 - Protocol: grooveLocalGWS - {88FED34C-F0CA-4636-A375-3CB6248B04CD} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office12\GR99D3~1.DLL
O18 - Protocol: ms-help - {314111C7-A502-11D2-BBCA-00C04F8EC294} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Help\hxds.dll
O18 - Filter hijack: text/xml - {807563E5-5146-11D5-A672-00B0D022E945} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\OFFICE12\MSOXMLMF.DLL
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: C:\PROGRA~1\Google\GOOGLE~1\GOEC62~1.DLL,wbsys.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: klogon - C:\WINDOWS\system32\klogon.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WBSrv - C:\PROGRA~1\Stardock\OBJECT~2\WINDOW~1\wbsrv.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WgaLogon.dll
O21 - SSODL: WPDShServiceObj - {AAA288BA-9A4C-45B0-95D7-94D524869DB5} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\WPDShServiceObj.dll
O21 - SSODL: IconPackager Repair - {1799460C-0BC8-4865-B9DF-4A36CD703FF0} - C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\IconPackager\iprepair.dll
O21 - SSODL: EnhancedDialog - {6D972050-A934-44D7-AC67-7C9E0B264220} - C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\EnhancedDialog\enhdlginit.dll
O23 - Service: Acronis Scheduler2 Service (AcrSch2Svc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedul2.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Active Virus Shield (AVP) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\AOL\Active Virus Shield\avp.exe" -r (file missing)
O23 - Service: ##Id_String1.6844F930_1628_4223_B5CC_5BB94B879762## (Bonjour Service) - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Lic NetConnect service (CLTNetCnService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe" /h ccCommon (file missing)
O23 - Service: Comodo Application Agent (CmdAgent) - COMODO - C:\Program Files\Comodo\Firewall\cmdagent.exe
O23 - Service: Diskeeper - Executive Software International, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Executive Software\Diskeeper\DkService.exe
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Macrovision Europe Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: NMIndexingService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMIndexingService.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
 

f61

Distinguished
Jun 3, 2007
312
0
18,780
actually, it looks like cable broadband in a busy neighborhood. Craps out when busy and bogs the whole system down. GL!

f61
 

edklite

Distinguished
Dec 29, 2006
1,371
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19,280
msconfig and disable all none ms services and all startup apps, when you reboot run only your firewall, and don't download anything while you are doing this and tell me if this happens after you surf and stuff.

@f61 read this posts again you missed something ;)
 

pcjim

Distinguished
Oct 20, 2006
43
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18,530
Wow that is a tuff one - hate those intermitent problems - you could spent many - many hours, days weeks hunting for an answer OR as you mentioned in one of your posts - two hours to do a clean format /re-install of the os and apps and be DONE with it. just like you said after a year or two of demo's - adding and removing stuff it slows way down anyway. tip in advance download all the LATEST drivers in advance and burn them to a CD (get all the device names/model in the device manager) -- results a clean fast like new machine - ahhhh
 

alysenne

Distinguished
May 8, 2006
16
0
18,510
Edklite, thanks for trying to help me, but after a few more connection drops, I got totally upset and gave up on trying to fix this problem. I starting having this problem on 6/12 or so and I couldn't stand it any longer.

I formatted, reinstalled and set up dual boot again. I did it while I was working on another computer and it was painless. I actually image'd the drive, so if I want to reinstall again, it'll be really fast.

What was so crappy about troubleshooting this problem was that it was so erratic and a few times, I thought I fixed it only to have it die on me again. False hope sucks.

Anyways, I'm feeling much relief now that my computer is back to normal.

Thanks again. I still learned a lot during this experience, so it's not a complete loss.
 

site3op

Distinguished
Jan 3, 2006
137
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18,680
If it starts up again, and let's hope it doesn't, I would try switching to a different port on your router. You mentioned all of your other computers were fine. I would swap ports with one that hasn't had the problem. I meant to mention this in my first post...hopefully all is well though and you won't need to do anything further.