cpu freezes only during networking operations

[Guest]

Can anyone help me figure out why my cpu freezes during networking operations?
Specifically, I have a home network setup which works fine unless I try to
upload or download a large amount of data. For example if I try to upload a
directory of files. It will load the first few files then freeze, sometimes
it will load all, other times it freezes midstream. Also if I download large
files from the internet, such as mpeg, it occaisionally freezes. When it
freezes, I have to reboot.

The freezy computer runs XP, the other runs win98 and is old and slow but
still works without problems.

The freezy computer was upgraded to 384M RAM, reloaded XP several times,
updated network card driver, problem persists. Also I believe I have
eliminated the old computer because it happens during internet transfer. I
have plugged directly to the DSL modem, bypassing the router, problem
persists. Since it happens during network file sharing I beleive that
eliminates the modem too.

I have uploaded all windows updates (between freezeups) including service
pack 2.
I suspect the Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC, but can't be
sure cuz i loaded a recent driver without success. Router MTU is 1500, also
tried other values without luck.Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[Malke]

Can anyone help me figure out why my cpu freezes during networking
operations? Specifically, I have a home network setup which works fine
unless I try to upload or download a large amount of data. For example
if I try to upload a directory of files. It will load the first few
files then freeze, sometimes it will load all, other times it freezes
midstream. Also if I download large files from the internet, such as
mpeg, it occaisionally freezes. When it freezes, I have to reboot.

The freezy computer runs XP, the other runs win98 and is old and slow
but still works without problems.

The freezy computer was upgraded to 384M RAM, reloaded XP several
times, updated network card driver, problem persists. Also I believe I
have eliminated the old computer because it happens during internet
transfer. I have plugged directly to the DSL modem, bypassing the
router, problem persists. Since it happens during network file sharing
I beleive that eliminates the modem too.

I have uploaded all windows updates (between freezeups) including
service pack 2.
I suspect the Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC, but
can't be
sure cuz i loaded a recent driver without success. Router MTU is 1500,
also tried other values without luck.Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks for the very well-written and informative post. You've done
everything except swap out the nic on the "freezy" computer and the
cable. Of course it's easiest to swap out the cable and change the port
to the router (one thing at a time, testing after each change), but I
suspect you should just put in a different nic and see how that goes.
Nic's are cheap enough.

Malke