PC Freezes Several Minutes when connecting to Internet

[DaveI]

I had this problem under XP SP2 but now it seems worse (Lasts longer) under
SP3.

I am using a Pentium 4 with a 3.06 processor. My motherboard no longer has
any BIOS updates. I understand that the code in Microsoft Update causes a
problem with my processor and that a BIOS update may be necessary (Not
available). What the system does is it FREEZES for several minutes after it
makes it's connection to the Internet (I don't have this problem on my Laptop
P3 also running XP SP3). I've confirmed it happens only when making a
connection to the internet. If I turn off the Router connecting to the
Internet I do not have the PC freezing up problem. As soon as I turn on the
internet connection the PC will sit in a frozen state (Cannot input via
Keyboard, applications, froze...only mouse moves) for several minutes. After
several minutes it clears and returns to normal operational state and will
work fine after that. I attempted to do a Microsoft Workaround for this
problem that I found for SP2 but it does not work for SP3 and I really don't
want to downgrade to do the work around. The workaround involves using MS
Console on boot and renaming update.sys then running a hotfix KB885626, but
when I run the hotfix it won't finish as it says my version of Windows
doesn't require it (SP3). I really don't want to downgrade to SP2 to do this
fix (Since I'm not sure it will work anyway) and I'm getting tired of waiting
several minutes for the system to respond after making it's connection to the
internet....Suggestions?

 

[Anteaus]

Not sure what you mean by 'Turn on connection to Internet' - If you are using
a router there's nothing to turn on, except for the router itself which is
normally left on. OTOH if you are using a USB modem, then I'd strongly advise
changing to a router.

The other thing is, I'd check for spyware. Lavasoft's Ad-Aware should be
suitable.

 

[DaveI]

As I've said...Turning off the Router...It has to do with whether Microsoft
Update can reach the internet...If it can't the delay does not happen. And it
has nothing to do with the router either. If the ISP has a problem and Domain
Names are not able to be resolved the the delay also does not happen (As I
experienced the other day). It's only when Microsoft Update is able to access
the internet that the delay exists. This problem is caused by code that
Microsoft changed in XP SP2 and effects certain model Pentium 4 Cpus and
motherboards combinations. This is outlined on the Microsoft technical help
site. As I said in my original posting the Microsoft site lists a workaround
fix for this in XP SP2 but I cannot get the Hotfix to work as I have already
loaded SP3. As far as Spyware...I have McAfee and ZoneAlarm and ZA scans for
Spyware and deletes it.
Like I said this problem existed in SP2 and is outlined on the MS
Website...It appears to have been exacerbated by the SP3 update.

 

[DaveI]

Fixed the problem...It wasn't MS Update that was the problem...I renamed
UPDATE.SYS in the cotrol panel and disabled MS Update through the Windows
Update website but I still had the freezeup lasting several minutes after
booting and connecting to internet...Turns out updating ZONE ALARM cured the
problem.
Turned MS Update back on and everything working as it should be now...