internet explorer / connection problems

[mark]

I have recently started having problems while viewing web
pages. My PC (which is a HP Compaq running XP)is connected
via a broadband modem and my ISP says my connection is
fine. However it will run fine for a time and then begin
displaying the 'page not displayed' error despite there
still being a connection (Messenger still signed in okay).
Pages then either load very slowly or with errors like
pictures misssing or not at all. The problem does not
appear to be confined to IE as I also lose my connection
while running poker software that previously ran
absolutely fine.

I have ran disk clean-up, virus scan, adaware scan,
defragmented, deleted temp files and cookies and reverted
my drive to original settings and re-installed everything
from scratch.

The problem persists even with my Norton firewall disabled.
My LAN settings appear normal and I have
successfully 'pinged' my DNS server(?)

I am worried that I may of damaged something important and
have run out of ideas so if anyone could shed some light
on this or maybe had a similar experience I would be
grateful for some help, thanks in advance

 

[RazlDazl]

Does your modem or router provide a firewall? Try disabling the "built in"
firewall offered in XP. The XP help file is as follows:
To enable or disable Internet Connection Firewall

1.. Open Network Connections
2.. Click the Dial-up, LAN or High-Speed Internet connection that you want
to protect, and then, under Network Tasks, click Change settings of this
connection.
3.. On the Advanced tab, under Internet Connection Firewall, select one of
the following:
a.. To enable Internet Connection Firewall (ICF), select the Protect my
computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from
the Internet check box.
b.. To disable Internet Connection Firewall, clear the Protect my
computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from
the Internet check box.
Notes

a.. To open Network Connections, click Start, point to Settings, click
Control Panel, and then double-click Network Connections.
b.. You must be logged on as a computer administrator to complete this
procedure.
c.. If you clear the Protect my computer and network by limiting or
preventing access to this computer from the Internet check box, the firewall
on your computer is disabled, and your network is vulnerable to intrusions.
d.. You should not enable Internet Connection Firewall on virtual private
networking (VPN) connections or on client computers because ICF will
interfere with file and printer sharing.
e.. ICF cannot be enabled on the private connections of the Internet
Connection Sharing host computer.
f.. Internet Connection Sharing, Internet Connection Firewall, Discovery
and Control, and Network Bridge are not available on Windows XP 64-Bit
Edition.
Hope this helps.

 

[Phil]

If it was just IE then I'd suspect IE, but since it loses connection other
times(and just because messenger says your logged in, you may not be. My
messenger, at least once a day, logs me off but displays that I'm still on)
I'd suspect the isp. The first thing the cable "techs" will say on the phone
is your connection is fine. They are not allowed to say there's a problem
unless it a mass problem. Have the isp come out and check the modem, line,
and connections. Also scan for spyware with adaware, spybot, cwshredder, and
hijack this. You need to use all of these. If prob persists, have isp tech
come out to house. (could also be an overloaded dns server or node on isp's
end)

 

[mark]

thankyou both for your quick response and very interesting
comments, would it be worth running some kind of program
like 'fixyourwindows.com' etc that are mentioned on other
threads or are they to be avoided. I dread asking for an
engineer to come out as I imagine it would be really
expensive

 

[Phil]

I have no idea what that site does, offers, or has for content(never been
there), but I doubt it has a fix for you if it on the isp's end. The isp
would have the only "fix". But if you want to try it, go right ahead.
Usually the way isp's work is if it is their problem then the service call
is free. If it's your problem they may not help you and not charge you, or
the charge should be small. I think here with road runner it's like 50-60 us
dollars.

 

[RazlDazl]

Mark-

After singing up for DSL with Qwest using a dsl/modem router hybrid, we
recently experienced similar problems with pages not loading etc. After
speaking with QWest (isp), D-Link (wireless adapter supplier), and Actiontec
(modem), all were at a loss as to why pages were loading slowly or getting
the "page not displayed" especially since all settings were set correctly
and the connection was verified. Disabling the XP firewall and the Norton
firewall as well did nothing. It was not until I UNINSTALLED the Norton
Firewall, that things cleared up immediately, all pages loaded without
hesitation and everything has been fine since ever since. Before spending $
on a service call, UNINSTALL the Norton firewall and see if this helps.

Would appreciate knowing the outcome.

 

[Guest]

I have both java and flash and normally everything works except when things start playing up and then the symptoms described begin. thanks for replying i appreciate your thoughts on this

 

[Guest]

thanks for the reply. i have uninstalled norton FW on a previous occasion as it conflicted with 'Betfair' and installed zone alarm. the problem i described started while i still had zone alarm and i have only reinstalled Norton after reverting my drive. Last night i disabled XP firewall (which i didnt know was on) and this morning things so far have been okay. BTW i dont think zone alarm had anything to do with it as i used it without problem for a long time and this problem has continued after i have unistalled it. But i agree norton can be very difficult with some programs