Networking or IE 6 problem

[Guest]

I've got a small network at home. Two PCs hardwired to a DSL modem/router, a
WAP off the router and two laptops run off the WAP. Recently, my WinXP Pro
SP2 machine started loosing connection to the router intermittently and
loading web pages extremely slowly when it is connected. Actions taken to
date:
- swapped out the network cable - no change
- installed new NIC - some improvement, then same symptoms
- updated drivers on old NIC (onboard) - some improvement then same results
- switched jack that cable was plugged into - no change
- upgraded DSL mode firmware - on first attempt, could not attach to device
so failed - later upgraded successfully
- uninstalled ZoneAlarm Pro just to start fresh, started using Windows FW -
no change
- ran full virus scan with CA eTrust Antivirus
- ran several different varieties of spyware, ad-ware scanners
- ran a System Restore back to a time when I know this wasn't occuring - no
change

Other info
- Can successfully ping insided and outside the network, including my DSN
servers. See a little loss sometimes, but not much.
- have release/renewed address many times, no change
- Been watching performance and event logs - nothing particularly odd
- run TCPViewer - no unexplained or unexpected traffic

Sometimes, it will seem to magically heal and browse the web with no trouble
at all. Firefox browser experiences the exact same problem.All the while,
the other three machines on the network are working fine. No problems at
all.

I've already backed everything up (to two seperate drives) and am ready to
reimage the machine. Any suggestions before going that route?

 

[Chuck]

I've got a small network at home. Two PCs hardwired to a DSL modem/router, a
WAP off the router and two laptops run off the WAP. Recently, my WinXP Pro
SP2 machine started loosing connection to the router intermittently and
loading web pages extremely slowly when it is connected. Actions taken to
date:
- swapped out the network cable - no change
- installed new NIC - some improvement, then same symptoms
- updated drivers on old NIC (onboard) - some improvement then same results
- switched jack that cable was plugged into - no change
- upgraded DSL mode firmware - on first attempt, could not attach to device
so failed - later upgraded successfully
- uninstalled ZoneAlarm Pro just to start fresh, started using Windows FW -
no change
- ran full virus scan with CA eTrust Antivirus
- ran several different varieties of spyware, ad-ware scanners
- ran a System Restore back to a time when I know this wasn't occuring - no
change

Other info
- Can successfully ping insided and outside the network, including my DSN
servers. See a little loss sometimes, but not much.
- have release/renewed address many times, no change
- Been watching performance and event logs - nothing particularly odd
- run TCPViewer - no unexplained or unexpected traffic

Sometimes, it will seem to magically heal and browse the web with no trouble
at all. Firefox browser experiences the exact same problem.All the while,
the other three machines on the network are working fine. No problems at
all.

I've already backed everything up (to two seperate drives) and am ready to
reimage the machine. Any suggestions before going that route?

Naybeb,

Check your MTU setting.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/internet-connectivity-problems-caused.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/internet-connectivity-problems-caused.html

Compare the setting on the problem computer with the other computers.

Document the problem, using PingPlotter.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/02/diagnosing-network-problems-using_11.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/02/diagnosing-network-problems-using_11.html

Install PP on two or three of your computers. Start it pinging the websites
that you observe the problem with accessing. When the problem is noted, compare
the PP displays.

 

[Guest]

Thx Chuck. I'll start with your suggestions and see where they lead. Much
appreciated.

 

[Chuck]

Thx Chuck. I'll start with your suggestions and see where they lead. Much
appreciated.

That's a start, Naybeb. Let us know how it goes, depending upon what you find
out, there may be more things to try if those don't bear fruit.

 

[Guest]

I'm also going to try a wireless adapter to eliminate the hardwire path. The
two machines I run wireless work flawlessly. I don't expect this to fix it,
but worth a shot.

 

[Chuck]

I'm also going to try a wireless adapter to eliminate the hardwire path. The
two machines I run wireless work flawlessly. I don't expect this to fix it,
but worth a shot.

OK, Naybeb,

But test carefully. Adding another product into the mix, to fix a problem,
could cause more problems, not less.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/solving-network-problems-tutorial.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/solving-network-problems-tutorial.html