Very Slow Web Browsing

[Guest]

I have a fairly new fast computer and recently connected to Road Runner.
I'm running XP Pro, sp1 and have Zone Alarm with updates and AVG virus with
lates updates, and have also run Ad-Aware, SpyBot.
When I need to download files, they are very quick. But when I'm just
surfing to common sites like -USA Today, Cbs News, browser gets very slow and
sometimes stops, I have to click the Stop button and refresh, and still takes
much longer than dial-up. Talked with Road Runner support and connection is
normal after bandwidth testing.
Some process must be running when I browse that's slowing down the page
display.
I tried by-passing the router and turning off the firewall and still the
same slow results.
Any suggestions would be helpful.

thanks,
Dave

 

[siljaline]

I have a fairly new fast computer and recently connected to Road Runner.
I'm running XP Pro, sp1 and have Zone Alarm with updates and AVG virus with
lates updates, and have also run Ad-Aware, SpyBot.
When I need to download files, they are very quick. But when I'm just
surfing to common sites like -USA Today, Cbs News, browser gets very slow and
sometimes stops, I have to click the Stop button and refresh, and still takes
much longer than dial-up. Talked with Road Runner support and connection is
normal after bandwidth testing.
Some process must be running when I browse that's slowing down the page
display.
I tried by-passing the router and turning off the firewall and still the
same slow results.
Any suggestions would be helpful.

Run a "Hijackware" check!

Download and run Lavasoft's Ad-aware and SpyBot Search & Destroy.
Ad-aware here: http://www.lavasoftusa.com
SpyBot here: http://www.safer-networking.org

Install (both) applications since one catches what the other doesn't.
Update both *immediately* upon installation as they are not updated,
"out of the box".
Delete whatever Ad-aware finds in the scan results, you will be prompted.
Remove all the items found in the SpyBot scan results marked "red", the remainder
are minor items that can be ignored until you are more familiar with the program.

Additional reading;
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/spywarewhat.mspx
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.php
So how did I get infected in the first place?
http://boards.cexx.org/viewtopic.php?t=957

Silj

--
siljaline

MS - MVP Windows (IE/OE) & Security (AH-VSOP)
__________________________________________
Security Tools Updates
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=31

(Reply to group, as return address
is invalid - that we may all benefit)

 

[Guest]

The second day this started happening I ran Ad-Aware and Spybot and ran the
update immediately. I've been working on this since Jan 29 th. I first had
Norton Anti-virus 2005 and Norton firewall and thought this was slowing me
down and removed and replaced with AVG anti-virus and Zone Alarm. Still same
problems.
A couple of days ago I went to the two parasite pages and nothing found.

Am having same problem with another lap top with XP SP2 when I hook up the
cable modem directly. The one thing in common in both is that they both had
Norton Anti-virus 2005 and both are HP comupters. I also ran Ad-Aware and
Spybot on this one two.

Is there a known issue with Nav 2005 messing up settings with IE6 or
messing with the host file?

 

[Al]

Is there a known issue with Nav 2005 messing up settings with IE6 or
messing with the host file?

I was going to say, "there's a known issue that M$ and Norton make software
that's crap"... but I guess I won't

a problem with Host file would only result in not being able to do a correct
DNS lookup. Still, you could easily check for any difference by temporarily
renaming it, to take it out of the picture. I don't know if you need to reboot
or not

how about trying this: run a webserver locally, and connect to that and see
what speed you get

also try different protocols, to see if only http is a problem

also, a free software like prcview can show you running processes and
associated modules, if you think that might be a problem

also, maybe try System monitor to look at bytes received and cpu usage

 

[siljaline]

:

Is there a known issue with Nav 2005 messing up settings with IE6 or
messing with the host file?

It's possible, are your running a "custom" HOSTS file, like this one >
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Silj

--
siljaline

MS - MVP Windows (IE/OE) & Security (AH-VSOP)
__________________________________________
Security Tools Updates
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=31

(Reply to group, as return address
is invalid - that we may all benefit)

 

[Guest]

What's so frustrating and confusing is that I just restored my (1 year old)HP
lap top with the provided restore cds. These cds are supposed to format and
restore the computer to the condition of when I received it. After retoring,
I loaded NAV2005 / Zone Alarm, and the driver for the Linksys WiFi adapter. A
day later I had Road Runner installed on my tower with the Linksys WiFi
router. The first day of surfing with the laptop through the WiFi was slow.
So I removed NAV2005 and replaced with AVG, still slow. Installed XP SP2,
still slow. Also was never able to perform updates from microsoft site, had
to download the whole SP2. Tried connecting cable modem directly to laptop,
still slow.
Tonight I may try running cd restore again to see if it was installation of
NAV2005 that caused problem in the first place.

 

[Guest]

Last night I ran the restore cds on the hp laptop and created a restore point.
-Loaded AVG anti-virus, Ad-Aware, and Spybot.
-Connected cable modem and set firewall on(using XP pro, Sp1).
-Performed updates for all three utilities.

-After immunizing and other settings with Spybot noticed web browsing was
very slow. I think the immmunizing and IE protection option in Spybot is
what's slowing down my Web Browsing.
-After just running the updates and trying unsuccessfully to update with
microsoft, Ad-Aware found many spyware objects from 'Alexa'.
-I ran the restore back to when the cds were loaded and will try again.
Are there preferred settings for Spybot to get good protection without
slowing down IE 6?

thanks,
Dave A.

 

[siljaline]

Last night I ran the restore cds on the hp laptop and created a restore point.
-Loaded AVG anti-virus, Ad-Aware, and Spybot.
-Connected cable modem and set firewall on(using XP pro, Sp1).
-Performed updates for all three utilities.

-After immunizing and other settings with Spybot noticed web browsing was
very slow. I think the immmunizing and IE protection option in Spybot is
what's slowing down my Web Browsing.
-After just running the updates and trying unsuccessfully to update with
microsoft, Ad-Aware found many spyware objects from 'Alexa'.
-I ran the restore back to when the cds were loaded and will try again.
Are there preferred settings for Spybot to get good protection without
slowing down IE 6?

Dave,
Several things in SpyBot "can" slow things up a bit.
The HOSTS file > Don't go there, it's hopeless.
"Tea Timer" can and is generally a resource hog but shouldn't cause
DNS issues - Browser "slowness".
The IE Tweaks > Don't go there!
Immunize is a good function of SpyBot and should remain enabled.

Please state what Firewall software you are running.

Silj

--
siljaline

MS - MVP Windows (IE/OE) & Security (AH-VSOP)
__________________________________________
Security Tools Updates
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=31

(Reply to group, as return address
is invalid - that we may all benefit)

 

[John Smith]

How many entries are in your HOSTS file? Entries in the HOSTS file
tends to slow down web browsing.

 

[Guest]

After I restored the laptop last night, I had'nt put a software firewall on
yet.
I'm currently in the stage of figuiring out the IE bottleneck.
Was thinking of putting Zone Alarm back on. The only firewall on currently
is the one included in XP Pro, SP1.
Do I need a software firewall if I hook the cable modem to the LinkSys WiFi
router, then a network cable from the router to the laptop?
Also am thinking of loading XP SP2 tonight, and SP2 has a firewall.
Would the WiFi router and SP2 firewall be enough coverage?
Of course I would set up all security requirements on WiFi router.

Haven't had a chance to read the Host file yet.
thanks,
Dave

 

[siljaline]

After I restored the laptop last night, I had'nt put a software firewall on
yet.

Choose your software wisely.
I use and recommend Kerio.
(http://www.kerio.com/dwn/kpf2-en-win.exe)
(http://www.dslreports.com/forum/kerio)

See what others are running and recommend >
Have a look; (Zone Alarm is not the end-all of firewall software.

I'm currently in the stage of figuiring out the IE bottleneck.

You may not have one! Don't be too quick to reach that assumption.

Do I need a software firewall if I hook the cable modem to the LinkSys WiFi
router, then a network cable from the router to the laptop?

Most good routers, such as LinkSys and D-Link have a built-in firewall.

Also am thinking of loading XP SP2 tonight, and SP2 has a firewall.

Going to SP2 would be a good idea - *but* you'd be best advised to fix
your issues with your installation 'before' the upgrade.

Would the WiFi router and SP2 firewall be enough coverage?

Not sure what you mean - "coverage"?

Of course I would set up all security requirements on WiFi router.

Do that with a qualified Tech - especially if you've not set-up a
router before. Most quality router vendors have 24/7 Tech Support.
Call - I did and got excellent support.

Haven't had a chance to read the Host file yet.

I use and highly recommend this MVP HOSTS file.
(At the chance of sounding like a broken record)
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

thanks,

You're welcome - I'll be keeping an eye on *this* thread.
Good luck! Hang in there

Regards,
Silj

--
siljaline

MS - MVP Windows (IE/OE) & Security (AH-VSOP)
__________________________________________
Security Tools Updates
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=31

(Reply to group, as return address
is invalid - that we may all benefit)

 

[Guest]

After all the hassle I went through in the past three weeks, it came down to
the cable splitter and bad cable modem. On the forth call to the cable
company I insisted the problem wasn't my computer, since I could connect with
my Dial-up account and surf faster than with the Road Runner service. The
tech ran some tests and realized the signal wasn't strong enough. After
getting a new cable modem it was still slow. Made another call to Cable tech
support and was told to remove the spliter and re-power the modem. Now the
web surfing is fast.

thanks for your suggestions and page links, very informative and helpful.
v/r
Dave A.

 

[siljaline]

After all the hassle I went through in the past three weeks, it came down to
the cable splitter and bad cable modem. On the forth call to the cable
company I insisted the problem wasn't my computer, since I could connect with
my Dial-up account and surf faster than with the Road Runner service. The
tech ran some tests and realized the signal wasn't strong enough. After
getting a new cable modem it was still slow. Made another call to Cable tech
support and was told to remove the spliter and re-power the modem. Now the
web surfing is fast.

thanks for your suggestions and page links, very informative and helpful.
v/r

Thanks for the report back! Good to hear that you're up and running without
issues -

Regards

Silj

--
siljaline

MS - MVP Windows (IE/OE) & Security (AH-VSOP)
__________________________________________
Security Tools Updates
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=31

(Reply to group, as return address
is invalid - that we may all benefit)