Help! My internet is broken

[Darth333]

I can't download (and that includes Kotor mods! )

I resintalled windows a couple of days ago and I have a problem with my internet connection (DSL) since then: all my downloads freeze regardless of the file type at what seems to be totally random points and time (usually between 1MB and 50MB). It doesn't matter which browser I use or from where I download. If I'm lucky, I'm able to download relatively small files but even that may take a few tries.

The file transfer rate does not drop and my internet connection is still active ( I can continue to browse the net without problems). The downloads do not fail but do not progress at all after a certain point, even if I wait for hours. Download managers don't help: I can't reactivate the downloads at all (it's like if they're still active).

I thought it could be a problem with my LAN driver and tried different versions (Realtek RTL8169/8110 Gigabit) but that didn't do it. I also tried disabling my firewall but it didn't worked either

Any ideas of what may be causing this?

[stingerhs]

hmm, how well are you able to surf the internet??

[Astrotoy7]

do you have another computer ?? Is that working without any problems ??

Having another compy is great for differential diagnosis - with the info you have given us, it is unclear whether its your connection, your modem/router or your OS. What type of modem/router do you have ?? Did you reinstall their drivers when you re-installed the OS. Does your modem/router have a utility that allows you to check its connection characteristics??

more detail D333 and Im sure we'll crack this caper If you manage to do it yourself, let us know, always good to hear troubleshooting tips!

mtfbwya

[igyman]

If you haven't already done a virus scan, I strongly suggest you do so. A friend of mine had a similar problem (though he had a DialUp connection at the time) and it turned out to be a virus.

If you have done a virus scan and there's no virus according to your AV software, then I can only suggest that you call your provider and ask them if there's something that you have to reconfigure in your DSL modem or router (I don't know what you have) settings.

[Sabretooth]

Do a virus scan, first off and then think of what you did (or someone else did) that would affect the internet, say, did you install some pesky browser or widget, (or uninstalled one!), or maybe you went messing around in some of the more sensitive configurations. If nothing else works, try reinstalling your internet system.

But remember the keywords - Format and Reinstall!

[ChAiNz.2da]

Do you run your connection through a router? or is it plugged directly into the wall outlet?

Try resetting the router.. or if you're plugged in directly, unplug the cable from the wall, restart the computer, then plug it back in...

Sounds exactly like what happens when my router stalls or my firewall detects a sudden lost connection (usually after a power surge, dropout or spike)...

[Darth333]

Originally Posted by stingerhs

hmm, how well are you able to surf the internet??

That's the mystery: I have no problems at all, it's as fast as before (or "as slow as before" for those of you who have ultra high speed connections), there are no slowdowns and it doesn't disconnect. It's just the downloads that are affected and it's *refrains from using profanity* pretty annoying.

I tried with another comp and everything works fine so it doesn't seem to be the modem (Efficient Networks Speedstream 5200). I have already scanned for viruses and spyware and my compy is tidy and neat.

When I reformatted I updated all my drivers and I also installed all the windows updates.

I'll try to install my modem on USB tonight and see what happens. This should tell me if its the lan driver or not. Even if I tried to roll back to the previous version without success, this and an OS problem remain my primary suspicions.

Try resetting the router.. or if you're plugged in directly, unplug the cable from the wall, restart the computer, then plug it back in...

I don't have a router and I already unplugged/replugged everything more than once. I also reconfigured the internet connection about 5 times.

[RevanA4]

your running XP I'd assume

try a virus scan and a spyware scan.

you could try running a continuous ping to your modem and see if any get dropped. that will tell you if its your network card.

if all else fails try a Repair install.

and this may be a long shot but if you look in the event viewer Applications log after a download stops, is there an event logging the problem.

the event might also be in the system log

[tk102]

As an additional diagnostic tool, you might also try using TDIMon from SysInternals.
http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/TdiMon.html

Edit: Oops, I guess you'll have to get another computer to download that...

[Jae Onasi]

I just turn on my 'stupid female' voice and call tech support.

[mimartin]

Originally Posted by Jae Onasi

I just turn on my 'stupid female' voice and call tech support.

Agreed, but it a 'stupid male' voice here. No matter what language you speak tech support will speak another. Just keep asking for a higher level of support and sooner or later you'll find someone that understands you and you understand. I've had this happen, but my problem was like Chainz.2da said and you've eliminated that. It took me two hour on the phone talking to someone in India and then 1 min talking to someone in Houston to actually solve the problem. Good Luck!

[ChAiNz.2da]

Originally Posted by Darth333

I don't have a router and I already unplugged/replugged everything more than once. I also reconfigured the internet connection about 5 times.

But did you restart the sytem while it was unplugged?

Connections (I'm assuming via a modem of some sort) won't reset unless you do. Otherwise unplug/plugging back just picks up the old-habit.. or possibly make it worse..

You may also need to unplug the modem's power supply directly from the wall outlet (while the computer is shut down of course) as sometimes the modem itself will retain a "holdover" state..

[Darth333]

Yup, that's what I did and I also tried tech support... but everything has failed until now :

One other thing I'll look into: possible IRQ conflict (?)

[RevanA4]

Originally Posted by Darth333

One other thing I'll look into: possible IRQ conflict (?)

possible but highly unlikely, unless you did something with them yourself.

[ChAiNz.2da]

Your service provider doesn't cap DL bandwidth does it? I know some satellite internet services do, but I'm not sure about DSL..

You should stop downloading so many of those Carth pics

[The Source]

Firewall? Sometimes I have to reinstall my firewall, for a curruption occured at some point. This prevents me from dowloading.

Another thought, do you have to customly setup your computer, so it will not time out automatically? (From inactivity?)

[Darth333]

@MacLeod: I tried all that already...

This thing is a total mystery. I have no *** idea of what is causing this. I tried everything, including the utility proposed by tk102. I have no slowdowns, the downloads don't time out, there are no IRQ conflicts and my ISP also says that they can't pinpoint anything wrong and that my connectivity is excellent (they're completely clueless). The downloads just stop suddenly at random points and there are no errors or particular events in any log...everything looks normal. I also tried a clean boot disabling anything non essential and that didn't do it either

Unless someone comes up with a miracle solution, I guess there is only one thing left to do: reformat again. The OS is the only remaining thing I can think of

Originally Posted by ChAiNz.2da

You should stop downloading so many of those Carth pics

I have many Carth pics on my HDD but not as many as you do I'm only at 20% of my total allowed bandwidth.

[The Source]

I hope you are able to figure it out. Something could be holding up your RAM, but you may have allready done the research. Bummer.

At least you will have a fresh version of all your software.

[ChAiNz.2da]

Originally Posted by Darth333

I have many Carth pics on my HDD but not as many as you do I'm only at 20% of my total allowed bandwidth.

oh snap I just got pwned.. hehehe...

The only thing I can think of (because I do so hate OS re-installs).. is have you tried re-installing your browser? I'm assuming Firefox?

EDIT: Better yet, create a new profile (in Firefox) and see if that clears it up...

http://www.mozilla.org/support/firefox/profile#new

[stoffe]

Venturing into the realm of wild guesses, have you tried it with a different NIC in the same computer? It could be that your network card is broken which causes it to malfunction during more heavy network traffic.

Other than that, have you tried replacing the network cable with another, or moved it away from any power cables or other interference sources? Or if you use a wireless network, remove/turn off any possible sources of interference nearby?

[Vaelastraz]

I suggest you try it with a different system. Use Linux just to check if downloads work there. You don't have to install a Linux version (which can be VERY time consuming...) get Knobix (Linux on Cd) and boot it from the Cd. If your downloads work, reinstall windows. Again.

Also, you might want to get netlimiter to make sure you have knowledge of all data transfers on your pc. Check if anything suspicious pops up.

[Jeremia Skywalk]

LoL my downloads haven't worked ever. ever. I just download using torrents and stuff. I get used to it quickly.

[Achilles]

Darth333, not sure if it's related, but I started getting emails from you about a week ago. All of them have been viruses. I emailed you about it, I'm not sure if you've seen that msg. Hope that helps.

[RevanA4]

Originally Posted by Achilles

Darth333, not sure if it's related, but I started getting emails from you about a week ago. All of them have been viruses. I emailed you about it, I'm not sure if you've seen that msg. Hope that helps.

its probably linked then.

she should try runing a virus scan and see if it finds anything.

[Char Ell]

^^^
If the e-mail messages Achilles received were before September 4 then it's likely that problem was taken care of when she formatted and reinstalled Windows.

Originally Posted by Darth333 on Sept. 6

I resintalled windows a couple of days ago and I have a problem with my internet connection (DSL) since then

But if Achilles got the messages after she did the format and reinstall...

Whatever the case may be, curses on all malevolent virus creators!

[Achilles]

It was after the reinstall. I think the first one came on the 8th or 9th. I deleted it so I don't have the exact date.

They came from her hotmail account though, so it could just be a virus that spoofs email addys. But I only get them from her and 3 in 5 days is a little too much of a coincidence.

[Darth333]

Well that can't be: not only I already scanned the comp a few times but I wiped out my entire hard drive and didn't copied my address book nor any of my old stuff from the backup yet. I used e-mail from this computer for the first time since reformatting only tonight and before that there were no e-mail addresses stored anywhere in my machine. The person having the virus is more likely someone who has both my address and yours in his comp (very likely someone who visits here). Btw, are you receiving those e-mails from my sympatico or my swk.com address?

Anyways, I can't confirm it yet but I think my problem is solved. Will post more details after testing out a bit more

[REDJOHNNYMIKE]

Do you have an evil twin? They are usually at the root of these situations.

[Darth333]

No, I'm a spoiled only child

I noticed there was a promotion for ultra high speed last weekend so I upgraded. I also made a repair install. I seem to be able to download without problems now but I don't know if it's because the problem is really gone or if the speed is just masking the problem. I'll have to test on bigger downloads

[REDJOHNNYMIKE]

I feel like being jealous. How ultra?