Strange problem, I really need help

[Dexter]

I've been fighting this problem for two weeks, searching for help online,
from newsgroups, reading manuals, etc with no luck. So please, if you have
any idea what to do, share them.

I installed USB based (3G) modem, which lead to the problem. Here are
symptoms:

- After installing the modem first some socket connections couldn't be
established, then it became denser, now only about 1/20 succeeds
- It seems random when socket connection succeeds, the variance is from
every second to try every 33rd try.
- The problem occurs with all means of connection (Ethernet, WLAN, modem)
- The problem occurs with all TCP types of connection (Telnet, SSH, HTTP,
etc), BUT ICMP works alright all the time
- The problem occurs in all networks I've tried
-> It looks like TCP packets are sent out because on connection tries the
amount of transfered data increases, but received amount stays the same,
meaning either that the target never receives the packet or its return
packet never reaches my computer
- Establishing network connection doesn't give any specific error, e.g.
telnet just says 'connection could not be established'
- If I use localhost listening socket (e.g. ssh tunnel to http-proxy), the
connection doesn't even reach that meaning that not even localhost
connections are working, BUT if an external computer tries to use my tunnel
to proxy, it works fine, no problem at all
- Web browser doesn't return any errors, clicking a link just doesn't do
anything (besides on that 20th try or so), which leads me to believe that
packets don't even reach gateway. Although routing table looks alright, e.g.
with Modem connection the primary gateway points to localhost
- Windows firewall is off and I don't have any other firewalls
- In Safe-Mode everything works alright, starting XP in 'last good known
configuration' doesn't help
- Uninstalling the modem doesn't help

Thanks in advance any advices you can give. Complete solution is necessary,
but even a hint where the problem might lay would be welcomed.

 

[smlunatick]

I've been fighting this problem for two weeks, searching for help online,
from newsgroups, reading manuals, etc with no luck. So please, if you have
any idea what to do, share them.

I installed USB based (3G) modem, which lead to the problem. Here are
symptoms:

- After installing the modem first some socket connections couldn't be
established, then it became denser, now only about 1/20 succeeds
- It seems random when socket connection succeeds, the variance is from
every second to try every 33rd try.
- The problem occurs with all means of connection (Ethernet, WLAN, modem)
- The problem occurs with all TCP types of connection (Telnet, SSH, HTTP,
etc), BUT ICMP works alright all the time
- The problem occurs in all networks I've tried
-> It looks like TCP packets are sent out because on connection tries the
amount of transfered data increases, but received amount stays the same,
meaning either that the target never receives the packet or its return
packet never reaches my computer
- Establishing network connection doesn't give any specific error, e.g.
telnet just says 'connection could not be established'
- If I use localhost listening socket (e.g. ssh tunnel to http-proxy), the
connection doesn't even reach that meaning that not even localhost
connections are working, BUT if an external computer tries to use my tunnel
to proxy, it works fine, no problem at all
- Web browser doesn't return any errors, clicking a link just doesn't do
anything (besides on that 20th try or so), which leads me to believe that
packets don't even reach gateway. Although routing table looks alright, e.g.
with Modem connection the primary gateway points to localhost
- Windows firewall is off and I don't have any other firewalls
- In Safe-Mode everything works alright, starting XP in 'last good known
configuration' doesn't help
- Uninstalling the modem doesn't help

Thanks in advance any advices you can give. Complete solution is necessary,
but even a hint where the problem might lay would be welcomed.

The USB 3G modem seems to be the cause. Would this modem be a cell
phone that you are trying to use for Internet access?? What other
access do you have configured in your XP?

 

[Dexter]

The USB 3G modem seems to be the cause. Would this modem be a cell
phone that you are trying to use for Internet access?? What other
access do you have configured in your XP?

Yes, it's a cell phone modem, it dials in everytime I open Internet. I have
configured ethernet and wireless lan connections as well. Disabling other
connections doesn't help, nor enabling them when possible. I find it really
strange that external computer can use my computer's ssh-tunnel-proxy but I
can not connect it to myself (besides on that 20th try or so). The problem
must occur inside XP before any TCP/IP packets reach network card.. I can
imagine a problem like this requires quite throughout knowledge about Windows
and its networking capabilities.