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General discussion

Connection problems

Feb 6, 2008 6:28PM PST

Sorry for the long post, but please suggest ways to rectify my Internet connection problems.
Windows XP Professional SP2.
Broadband DSL 1,5 G download 525MB upload.
Connect via DSL Modem to NIC.

The problem involves connecting to web sites (no particular one), e.g.

? Connection speed seems to vary at random.
? Often get the ?page not found?/?cannot find sever? errors, but if the page is refreshed/reloaded, the page loads.
? Sometimes, rebooting also makes the page load.
? Sometimes, if I have been successfully connecting, rebooting will then evoke the ?page not found? error.
? Sometimes, even refreshing the page or rebooting won?t solve the problem.
? Some times, if I change browser, the page loads, but sometimes, all browsers (IE6 and latesst versions of Firefox & Opera) will have the problem.
? Sometimes, the error appears when going to a link at a web page.
? Sometimes, if I leave the computer on but inactive for say, one or two hours, the problem occurs.
? Sometimes, when I am happily surfing, the problem will suddenly occur.
?Have done system restore, disk cleanup, defrag, chkdsk.
? While I am having the ?page not found? error, my POP mail client (Outlook Express) usually do not have problems downloading mail, but not always.

On-line scanning with Housecall and Ewido found nothing suspicious. HJT log is clean.
I run latest version of AVG free and Zone Alarm, with Spywareblaster (for Firefox and IE). Windows firewall is off. DSL modem firewall is on. ISP settings (IP, DNS, MTU, PVC etc. are okay)

I have no problems otherwise.

So, you can see that the problem occurs randomly, intermittently and inconsistently.

Is the problem more to do with my computer(settings) or my DSL modem(going south), or perhaps my ISP(Internal problems) ?

Thanks.

christy

Discussion is locked

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Re: connection problems
Feb 6, 2008 6:32PM PST

Find someone with a laptop and try that with your modem (and your ISP). This should confirm the suspicion that the problem isn't located in your PC.

Kees

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Try...
Feb 7, 2008 7:02AM PST

Reset the DSL modem to its default settings. Then recreate your account. Use its auto wizard. For most [modern] modems, you need only enter your username and password - and connect. The modem will detect the settings automatically. You can then go to the "Advanced" settings and "fine tune" the modem ....