Computer or internet?

drivehard454 · Nov 30, 2007, 11:26 PM

I have been experiencing some problems recently and am getting frustrated. I think it is my internet connection, but my provider is saying it is my computer.

I am experiencing random problems with browsing the net. I have very fast downloading and searching most of the time. Other times I have to refresh or click a second time to get a page to load. I have bigger problems while on a secure site where they will not load at all. The page will just sit there with the load bar about 1/3 accross. I use ebay frequently and cannot log on to paypal from the ebay site. I can at times go to the paypal site directly and log on though. I have problems filling out information on other sites too, where I have to submit information. and I had a problem applying for credit on another site. I booked a hotel and the confirmation page would not load.

I have called my provider and they told me to uninstall IE7 because it uses too many resources for XP, it is meant for Vista, which I don't believe, but I did anyways. They also turned all my security settings down.

None of this worked and now I am being told it is the computer, and they won't help assist with that unless I pay them $99.00 for tech service.

I have no spyware, adware, or viruses. My computer works great, and everything operates perfectly. Its just the problems while online. I can't see how it is my computer.

I have a modem/router that is fairly new. DSL internet.

Any advice? Thanks

**Vikingod** · Nov 30, 2007, 11:35 PM

Sounds to me like spyware.

In the Start menu, select "run", then type "netstat" and press enter. Let us know how many line items there are.

Also, you may want to check out Speedtest.net - The Global Broadband Speed Test. Run it and see if your speed is something close to what you should be getting. Post back with your results.

drivehard454 · Nov 30, 2007, 11:49 PM

I ran the speed test already, and my provider did a line test. My download is well in range and my upload was slightly higher in range.

I ran the"netstat and a window popped up and disappeared. Too quick to read anything. I did it a couple of times and it looks as though ther may be four-five lines? Cannot catch a glimpse of what it is though.

drivehard454 · Nov 30, 2007, 11:50 PM

I try to pause screen but cannot catch it.

Dyre Straits · Dec 1, 2007, 06:09 AM

A couple of things to do:

1. Download CCleaner and run its Cleaner and Registry apps. CCleaner - Home

2. Download and run either ADAware SE Free or SpyBot Search and Destroy. (I particularly like AdAware but have used both with satisfaction.)

Ad-Aware 2007 - Reviews and free Ad-Aware 2007 downloads at Download.com

The home of Spybot-S&D!

You might be amazed how how much 'clutter/spyware' really is on your system.

And, I really, really do recommend CCleaner.

Good luck!

drivehard454 · Dec 1, 2007, 10:51 AM

Thanks Dire. I have ccleaner and run it about once a week. I think it was you that recommended it to me quite a while back.

I will try the ad-aware. and post my findings.

**kris23** · Dec 1, 2007, 11:50 AM

lol to use a "Run" command, you ALWAYS need to put "cmd" and enter it before you another code

aNy_oNE · Dec 1, 2007, 06:16 PM

Like kris said, go start>run type "cmd" with no quotes and THEN do netstat. The window shouldn't disappear then

Judas · Dec 1, 2007, 06:38 PM

yes cmd then ok, then type in netstat.

also.... try doing a tracert (run, type in cmd, hit ok, then type in

Quote:

tracert Google

it should do a quick trace route through all the connection from your computer through your ISPs network and onto the web to the location specified (Google is just an example, you can punch in any website that allows pinging)

If any * show up, you've got packet loss at that specific point, usually running through tracert a few times to get accurate results where the problem excist..

alternatively, find the first connection from your computer to your ISPs main system....

for example if your directly connected to your isp without a router, the first IP/ping should be your ISP, if you behind a router, it'll usually be the 2nd ping/ip.

What you can try next is this:

go to run, type in cmd and hit ok... then type in the following (btw, where xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is, you'd want to punch in your ISPs ip)

Quote:

ping xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx -n 1000 -l 1450 -a

Ping is the command, the xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is your isp ip address, -n 1000 is the number of times it'll repeatedly ping that ip, -l 1450 is 1450 bytes of information sent every single ping, -a is for a resolving command.. (not sure if it work properly though but shouldn't affect anything if you have it or not)

Let it run, may take a good while.. .15 minutes or so depending on the number of timeouts (if you get timeouts, that's a bad thing, packetloss is your issue which is likely thier problem)

The statistics at the end of the run, should give you a success/fail/packet loss/ and other useful information.

Sometimes i run multiple ping tests at the same time.

for example in the case i want to identify which server/router along the way to the internet is giving me issues, i open up as many cmd windows as there are tracert results, and punch in the ping command for all of them in thier own window.... i try and as quickly as possible, start all of them at nearly the same time....

then i watch them, this way i can make sure that it's not a connection before that's causing the issue if any packetloss occurs at ANY point.

oh and by the way, packetloss is not tolerable.... no ISP should EVER tell you that "a little is normal".... 0% should always be the case, unless under specific circumstances..... 1% maybe be tolerable in bad times.... not more or else there is a pretty significant issue.

Zelig · Dec 1, 2007, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

also.... try doing a tracert (run, type in cmd, hit ok, then type in

it should do a quick trace route through all the connection from your computer through your ISPs network and onto the web to the location specified (Google is just an example, you can punch in any website that allows pinging)

If any * show up, you've got packet loss at that specific point, usually running through tracert a few times to get accurate results where the problem excist.

Although this can in some cases shows problems when there aren't any. My ISP interferes with outgoing ping, so even though my internet is working fine, I get this mess if I try to run tracerts:

141.109.109.254 is a switch, but plugging straight into a cable modem gives the same thing.

To the original poster: Easiest way to check if it's a software or hardware problem would be to use a livecd to boot to Linux, and do some browsing from there, if you still get the same problems, chances are very good it's a connection issue.

drivehard454 · Dec 1, 2007, 11:17 PM

Ok, Lets start with the netstat. Here is what I get.

ImageShack - Hosting :: 53460590vi3.jpg

Judas · Dec 1, 2007, 11:43 PM

well that's pretty simple... you've got no connectiosn going at all.. in or out apparently...

so that's instantly solved.. lol

zelig, i've NEVER seen anything like that before....

drivehard454 · Dec 2, 2007, 12:00 AM

Hopefully I did it right. run/cmd/netsat right? I am running spybot and adaware right now.

Obviously I have a connection, I am on the net.........

drivehard454 · Dec 2, 2007, 12:18 AM

I ran the tracert. I have no clue........

drivehard454 · Dec 2, 2007, 01:07 AM

Guess I stand corrected. Here are the results of the adaware and spybot.

**Vikingod** · Dec 2, 2007, 01:14 AM

How did things turn out, did it fix the problem?

If not, you might want to run another spyware program (the microsoft one is decent), and run a virus scan. Keep us posted, we'll fix this thing yet

.

drivehard454 · Dec 2, 2007, 02:00 AM

I have AVG virus protection and it scans every day. I have never been warned of a virus. Still having problems with pages loading. Still can't get to paypal.

drivehard454 · Dec 2, 2007, 02:29 AM

I downloaded the microsoft defender and scanned my computer. It reported no unwanted or harmful software.

**Vikingod** · Dec 2, 2007, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zelig

To the original poster: Easiest way to check if it's a software or hardware problem would be to use a livecd to boot to Linux, and do some browsing from there, if you still get the same problems, chances are very good it's a connection issue.

That is an excellent suggestion. I'd just use ubuntu.

I'd also check any firewalls you might be behind. If your motherboard has hardware AV or Firewall, disable those and see what you get.

cozumel · Dec 2, 2007, 10:35 AM

Linux livecd. That is a good idea Zelig.

drivehard454 · Dec 2, 2007, 04:51 PM

Wow, I was checking out about linux and it is way beyond me.

I seem to notice lately that since I have run the adaware and spybot, the problem is getting worse. I had to refresh three times just to get this page up. I was online earlier, and was having random problems still. some things load up instantly and others I have to refresh.

I ran the programs again and they do not detect anything anymore. Is my OS just toast?

***temeteus82*** · Dec 2, 2007, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drivehard454

Wow, I was checking out about linux and it is way beyond me.

Download the live CD/DVD iso-image and burn it to disc then boot from it. That's all.

cozumel · Dec 2, 2007, 05:33 PM

Yeah it is a downloadable version of of an os that goes onto a cd. Once you created the cd just stick it in the drive, turn on the power and you'll be in the world of Linux. Nice user-friendly gui for you.

For livecd diagnostics I tend to use knoppix but they're all the same.