XP Pro SP2 Internet Connection & Time Out Problem

[Jim]

I have a desk top machine with 2 geg of memory that is having an Internet
connections problem. E-mail clients and things like mIRC seem to perform
fine. I use both IE and Firefox (latest versions). On both these browsers
some sites time out and refuse to reload. These are sites with a lot of
advertising that refresh often (DrudgeReoport, news sites, etc.). I have two
ThinkPad laptops both running XP Pro SP2. One with 1 geg and one with 512
meg. The 1 geg has the problem to a lesser degree than the desktop and the
512meg has no problem at all. The 512 laptop has been subject to very
little, if any, Microsoft, or other (like Flash), updates. The other laptop
less update exposure than the desktop.

All three machines access the internet through a Actiontec DSL Modem. I also
have a ATT PC card cell system access on the laptops. Using the PC card
access presents no problems. All machines can access the DSL Modem from the
native Actiontec 802.11g wireless network and I have Ethernet wired the
desktop.

When a problem occurs changing from the wireless to wired connection on the
desktop and re launching the browser usually solves the connection problem
temporarily. When a lock up occurs, both machines, you can still access
"reliable" sites, Weather.com being one. Sometimes, but no always, disabling
and then enabling the same connection solves the problem.

I've consulted with friends who are database administrators at large firms
without any solution. I'm a software developer my self although semi
retired and don't keep up with these operating system issues. I'd reinstall
XP except I don't know what it might accomplish seeing the problem with the
one laptop. The modem could be a problem, but it work fine with the second
laptop.

I could go on about the problem, but if anyone has any ideas PLEASE HELP.

Thanks,
Jim Benson
612.789.2984

 

[thecreator]

Hi Jim,

Why would you post your phone number on the Internet? I deleted in the
reply.

Are you running any software protecting software like SpyBot, McAfee or
any other programs that protect your Identity?

Have you been cleaning up your \Temp Folders, daily by manually cleaning
them out and also running Disk Cleanup?

Are you using a Router? Have you reset the Router to Factory Specs, yet
to help fix the problem?

 

[Jim]

This is one of the places where things get confusing and complicated.

Before I wired one connection directly to the desktop it had only the
wireless. The same problems occurred except the only solution was to reboot
either the modem or machine. Later I tried disabling and enabling the
connection from the control panel with mixed results. Also, one of the
laptops experiences the same problem and it is not wired. There I switch
between the 802 wireless and the ATT GSM (or what ever they call it). This
eliminates the "dual connection" theory I'm sorry to say. Wish it was that
simple. Another theory problem is that Outlook email, mIRC (an Internet
Relay Chat client) and other programs using the internet have no problems
with so ever.

I do monitor the connection strengths and they are always "excellent".

I'm still wondering about the advertising content/site/browser support for
graphics theory. All the sites that I have problems with are complicated
with sophisticated advertising connections. The straight forward sites have
no problems at any time. Even on the "good" laptop the Drudge Report site
will time out but reconnection is no problem. Even this is a recent problem.

Thanks for your interest. If I though this problem would be solved, as so
many are, by reinstalling Windows I'd do it in a heart beat. Don't think
that would solve this multi machine problem though. Also, I'm going to post
our private conversations back on the news group so others might see what
we've talked about and come up with other ideas. My inexperience with
newsgroups (don't use them much any more since I don't do much new
development any more) led me to reply directly to you instead of to the
group.

Thanks again,

Jim Benson

-----Original Message-----

From: thecreator [mailto:[email protected]]

Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2007 8:05 PM

To: Jim Benson

Subject: Re: XP Pro SP2 Internet Connection & Time Out Problem

Hi Jim,

You mentioned below about switching from a Wireless Connection to a Wired
one.

I believe the problem is having two active connections at the same time on
the same computer.

If you are going Wired, then remove the Wireless Adapter.

If you are staying Wireless, then disabled the built-in Ethernet Port, using
Computer BIOS.

Sometimes a site can go down, like your computer can go down.

Do this, the next time it happens when you are using your Wireless Computer.
Close the Browser and simply load the browser back up again. Don't switch
connections.

Do you monitor your Ethernet port by having its Local Area Connection Icon
or Wireless Network Connection icon in the Notification area which is next
to the clock?

Morton Lee Cohen - E-mail Address: (e-mail address removed)

----- Original Message -----

From: "Jim Benson" <[email protected]>

To: <[email protected]>

Sent: December 23, 2007 07:14 PM

Subject: Re: XP Pro SP2 Internet Connection & Time Out Problem

The editor I used to write the entry adds the phone with my name -- I

use newsgroups much anymore and didn't notice.

I don't you Spybot or Mcafee, just the standard Microsoft stuff and Norton

Antivirus and have used them for a long time. This problem developed long

after I started using them and they are in use on the laptop that works

fine. I does have all the markings of a firewall problem but that can't be

the case here.

I didn't mention that the "timeout" problem started with just recoverable

time outs, that is to say you could easily reestablish the connection. Now

at minimum you have disable and enable the internet connection at the

control panel.

I have cleaned the temp folders on the desktop, but the folders have never

been cleaned in the laptop the functions perfectly.

If you can count the Actiontec "modem" as a router (which I believe it has

similar functionality) then yes. But the thing is common to all the

and since one functions perfectly it is unlikely that there is any problem

there, although I still have a suspicion in the back of my mine. I intend

have it checked.

I still think it might be some sort of Macromedia "Flash" type software

lurking somewhere as the sites that I have the problems are the ones with

the most advertising graphics and/or refresh themselves often. One of the

first places I noticed the problem with when weather.com started using MS

Virtual Earth for displaying radar and satellite data. I am not very

familiar with the workings of these graphic engines on these web pages but

the very complexity leaves lots of room for strange things to happen. It

also appears that some sites access advertising sites to get the ads at

particular times. In times past if the connection wasn't made the page

up without the graphic. Now you don't see much of that. Could it be that

when the as site is unavailable the process "hangs" and is not released

until the actual internet connection is cut?

This whole thing is most puzzling. Any more ideas would be appreciated.

 

[thecreator]

Hi Jim,

I still think it might be some sort of Macromedia "Flash" type software

Adobe acquired Macromedia.

You can upgrade to the latest Flash Player by clicking on this link:
http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash


--
thecreator

This is one of the places where things get confusing and complicated.

Before I wired one connection directly to the desktop it had only the
wireless. The same problems occurred except the only solution was to
reboot either the modem or machine. Later I tried disabling and enabling
the connection from the control panel with mixed results. Also, one of the
laptops experiences the same problem and it is not wired. There I switch
between the 802 wireless and the ATT GSM (or what ever they call it). This
eliminates the "dual connection" theory I'm sorry to say. Wish it was that
simple. Another theory problem is that Outlook email, mIRC (an Internet
Relay Chat client) and other programs using the internet have no problems
with so ever.

I do monitor the connection strengths and they are always "excellent".

I'm still wondering about the advertising content/site/browser support for
graphics theory. All the sites that I have problems with are complicated
with sophisticated advertising connections. The straight forward sites
have no problems at any time. Even on the "good" laptop the Drudge Report
site will time out but reconnection is no problem. Even this is a recent
problem.

Thanks for your interest. If I though this problem would be solved, as so
many are, by reinstalling Windows I'd do it in a heart beat. Don't think
that would solve this multi machine problem though. Also, I'm going to
post our private conversations back on the news group so others might see
what we've talked about and come up with other ideas. My inexperience with
newsgroups (don't use them much any more since I don't do much new
development any more) led me to reply directly to you instead of to the
group.

Thanks again,

Jim Benson

-----Original Message-----

From: thecreator [mailto:[email protected]]

Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2007 8:05 PM

To: Jim Benson

Subject: Re: XP Pro SP2 Internet Connection & Time Out Problem

Hi Jim,

You mentioned below about switching from a Wireless Connection to a Wired
one.

I believe the problem is having two active connections at the same time on
the same computer.

If you are going Wired, then remove the Wireless Adapter.

If you are staying Wireless, then disabled the built-in Ethernet Port,
using Computer BIOS.

Sometimes a site can go down, like your computer can go down.

Do this, the next time it happens when you are using your Wireless
Computer. Close the Browser and simply load the browser back up again.
Don't switch connections.

Do you monitor your Ethernet port by having its Local Area Connection Icon
or Wireless Network Connection icon in the Notification area which is next
to the clock?

--
thecreator


----- Original Message -----

From: "Jim Benson" <[email protected]>

To: <[email protected]>

Sent: December 23, 2007 07:14 PM

Subject: Re: XP Pro SP2 Internet Connection & Time Out Problem

The editor I used to write the entry adds the phone with my name -- I

use newsgroups much anymore and didn't notice.

I don't you Spybot or Mcafee, just the standard Microsoft stuff and
Norton

Antivirus and have used them for a long time. This problem developed long

after I started using them and they are in use on the laptop that works

fine. I does have all the markings of a firewall problem but that can't
be

the case here.

I didn't mention that the "timeout" problem started with just recoverable

time outs, that is to say you could easily reestablish the connection.
Now

at minimum you have disable and enable the internet connection at the

control panel.

I have cleaned the temp folders on the desktop, but the folders have
never

been cleaned in the laptop the functions perfectly.

If you can count the Actiontec "modem" as a router (which I believe it
has

similar functionality) then yes. But the thing is common to all the

and since one functions perfectly it is unlikely that there is any
problem

there, although I still have a suspicion in the back of my mine. I intend

have it checked.

I still think it might be some sort of Macromedia "Flash" type software

lurking somewhere as the sites that I have the problems are the ones with

the most advertising graphics and/or refresh themselves often. One of the

first places I noticed the problem with when weather.com started using MS

Virtual Earth for displaying radar and satellite data. I am not very

familiar with the workings of these graphic engines on these web pages
but

the very complexity leaves lots of room for strange things to happen. It

also appears that some sites access advertising sites to get the ads at

particular times. In times past if the connection wasn't made the page

up without the graphic. Now you don't see much of that. Could it be that

when the as site is unavailable the process "hangs" and is not released

until the actual internet connection is cut?

This whole thing is most puzzling. Any more ideas would be appreciated.