XP network time out on one computer in network

[JL]

I have a home network consisting of a desk top and a lap top computer
both running early versions of Windows XP connected by cat. 5 cable to
a four port Belkin router which is itself connect to a cable modem.
The desk top machine accesses the internet at a consistently good speed
but the lap top takes about one minute to make initial access to the
web but access is almost instantaneous there after

as long as I do not spend more than about two minutes reading a
particular page.

In other words, as long as I keep pinging the internet connection every
minute or so my access speed is great. I have watched the usage for
the browser service (Foxfire) during one of these delays and it seems
the delay is not in the return of packets but that my computer
doesn't even try sending anything for a minute or so. Once I see CPU
usage show up for the browser service the response is instantaneous.
The following tests and changes resulted in no change in behavior
· Using Internet Explorer as the browser
· It does not matter at all what web site or part of a web site I'm
trying to access.
· Switching the cables connected to the router
· Disabling every service running on the lap top that I have dared to
touch
· Extensive virus and spyware sweeps
· Setting the CPU preference to background or foreground application.
This problem effects only the lap top and seemed to start several weeks
ago. It is as if the browser must wait for something else to time out
before it can use the connection.

Any ideas?
JL

 

[Malke]

I have a home network consisting of a desk top and a lap top computer
both running early versions of Windows XP connected by cat. 5 cable to
a four port Belkin router which is itself connect to a cable modem.
The desk top machine accesses the internet at a consistently good speed
but the lap top takes about one minute to make initial access to the
web but access is almost instantaneous there after

as long as I do not spend more than about two minutes reading a
particular page.

In other words, as long as I keep pinging the internet connection every
minute or so my access speed is great. I have watched the usage for
the browser service (Foxfire) during one of these delays and it seems
the delay is not in the return of packets but that my computer
doesn't even try sending anything for a minute or so. Once I see CPU
usage show up for the browser service the response is instantaneous.
The following tests and changes resulted in no change in behavior
· Using Internet Explorer as the browser
· It does not matter at all what web site or part of a web site I'm
trying to access.
· Switching the cables connected to the router
· Disabling every service running on the lap top that I have dared to
touch
· Extensive virus and spyware sweeps
· Setting the CPU preference to background or foreground application.
This problem effects only the lap top and seemed to start several weeks
ago. It is as if the browser must wait for something else to time out
before it can use the connection.

Turn off power management on the laptop's network adapter. Do this from its
Properties in Device Manager.

Malke

 

[JL]

Turn off power management on the laptop's network adapter. Do this from its
Properties in Device Manager.

Malke
--
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic"

Thanks for the very logical advice. Unfortunately, making this change
did not solve the problem. I also later disabled Wake on Lan and this
had no effect either. I have now disabled the local firewall service
that it seems XP provided to no avail.

JL

P.S. In the time it took me to write the message above my connection
went to sleep again and it took one minute before I could send packets.

 

[Malke]

Thanks for the very logical advice. Unfortunately, making this change
did not solve the problem. I also later disabled Wake on Lan and this
had no effect either. I have now disabled the local firewall service
that it seems XP provided to no avail.

Well, I like to go for the easy fix first.

Turn your firewall back on. Neither the firewall or Wake On Lan should
have been involved. Sadly, because you have a laptop you can't just
swap out the network adapter for a known-working one, which is what I'd
do on a desktop. I guess I'm focused on the problem being caused by
hardware because you say you've done "extensive virus and spyware
sweeps". Just to be thorough, here are my general malware removal
steps:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Take a look at the preparation and scanning methods and see if you've
done your work that way. If you have, then certainly don't do any more
scans. If you haven't been as thorough as I usually am, then you might
want to give my way a shot. It takes time, but it doesn't hurt.

Also, look in Event Viewer for any clues:
Start>Run>eventvwr.msc [enter]

Otherwise, see if you can borrow (I hate to say "buy" but you might have
to) a pc card ethernet adapter. Disable the onboard one and install
your substitute nic. If all is well, then you know the laptop's
built-in nic is sick. Since it is a laptop, you should call the laptop
mftr.'s tech support so they can replace the motherboard.

If you get the same behavior with the substitute pc card nic, then the
next step is to swap out the router for a known-working one.

Because routers and pc cards aren't dirt-cheap, it might be worth it for
you to take the laptop to a local professional for diagnosis and
testing. Or to a friend who has a router. That will help narrow down
whether your router is the culprit.

Good luck and let me know what happens.

Malke