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General discussion

Internet Problem

Feb 26, 2004 11:24PM PST

Hi-
For some reason, when I try to connect to the internet I get a "You were disconnected by the remote computer" error or something along those lines.I am running Windows 2000 Pro with SP4. I tried just about everything, includind reinstalling the modem, and contacting my ISP customer support. They did some diagnostics and told me it was my computer that was having problems. The weird thing is, when I connect the modem to my other computer running WinXP SP1, to the same line, it connects just fine. I recently reinstalled Internet Explorer 6 and I don't know if that might be the problem. My modem is a Zoom Model 3049L External with the RS-232 serial connection, witht he most recent drivers from the zoom website. Any advice on what I could try, or what might have gone wrong would be greatly appreciated. thanks
-Josh

Discussion is locked

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Re:Internet Problem
Feb 27, 2004 12:24AM PST

Josh,

Does the disconnect message happen when you attempt to connect, or does it happen shortly after the connection is made?

It sounds like a modem issue...Have you tried swapping in a different modem?

Are you running a firewall? Which antivirus program do you have installed? Have you tried disabling them both to see if they are having an effect?

You're mention of Internet Explorer 6...Why did you reinstall it?

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Re:Re:Internet Problem
Feb 27, 2004 8:33AM PST

It connects for about a second, but right before the terminal is supposed to appear (the two computer icon in the taskbar never shows up), it disconnects. I tried the modem on a different computer and it works with no problems. I reinstalled IE6 because I had an adware bug that I thought was software related. Thanks

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Re:Re:Re:Internet Problem
Feb 27, 2004 1:24PM PST
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Re:Re:Re:Re:Internet Problem
Feb 28, 2004 3:07AM PST

I did run AdAware 5.5 but that did not remove the adware i was targeting. WinShow.dll was corrupting my IE6 so at the time I thought reinstalling IE6 would help[ since Adaware failed to detect it at all. I eventually tried PestPatrol and that found the winshow along with 411 other adwares. However, I had the internet problem before running PestPatrol. It appeared after reinstalling IE6 and running AdAware. I did try that LSPfix and it did not help. I don't know if I should mess with the advanced section? When I ran it, it said 0 for everything that was supposed to be fixed or changed. The weird thing is, I can connect to some non v.92 number, but at extremely slow speeds. I think the highest I have connected is 24,000 bps. I am almost positive it is a problem with my computer since my modem does support v.92, and it connects at full speed (50,000 bps) on my WIndows XP machine. I am however intrigued by the whole WInsock corruption idea, and I am wondering if there is a way to just reinstall it? I searched the Add/Remove Windows Components section, and I cannot find it anywhere. Thanks alot.

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Re:Internet Problem
Feb 27, 2004 2:17AM PST

The article "Troubleshooting Browsing Error Messages in Microsoft Internet Explorer" describes the steps you can use to troubleshoot the following error messages:

a. The Page Cannot Be Displayed.

b. Internet Explorer cannot open the Internet site Web address. A connection with the server could not be established.

c. The page you are looking for is currently unavailable. The Web site might be experiencing technical difficulties, or you may need to adjust your browser settings.

d. Cannot find server or DNS Error.

e. An internal error occurred in Windows Internet extensions.

Note: If you don't find anything relevant, step-back to the main page titled, "Internet Explorer Support Center" and start on another item.

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Re:Internet Problem
Feb 28, 2004 3:26AM PST

Reading through the thread, I get the definite feeling this is not an IE problem at all, but (just) a modem connection problem. After all, opening the dial-up connection should be independent of what you want to do over it later on. Might be IE, or Mozilla, or Eudora Mail, or even just ping or telnet or emulate a async terminal. T0herefore, I think it unlikely that the reinstall of IE6 is the cause of the problem. Install of IE doesn't do anything (I think, shouldn't anyway) to any network software (including dial-up connection). Also, it seems to me that the modem connection per se doesn't need tcp-ip, that's why lspfix is of no need (but I might be wrong here).

Considering the above, I would go to Control Panel, Network, note what is installed, uninstall the whole bunch, and reinstall it again.
Anyway, that's the Windows 98 procedure. Don't know how it is with 2000 Pro.

Start with the Network part. If the malware damage is such that this doesn't help, consider a full reinstall of the OS. If the modem works on another computer, I think it unlikely that it's a hardware problem.

But just for completeness sake, of course you did check the modemlog for any clues? That's the first line of attack for any modem and connection problem, because it shows the most internals.

Kees

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Re:Re:Internet Problem
Feb 28, 2004 3:36AM PST

I"m not sure what, but something is causing my ISP to disconnect me on the Windows 2000 machine. I think my network settings may have changed somehow, but I have no idea where I should look first. The modem settings look the same to me.

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Check and compare properties of dial-up connection.
Feb 28, 2004 6:12AM PST

Right click on the one used (to be found in My Computer, in Windows 98 anyway). Don't forget the TCP-IP-settings button! Chcek your saved password also (reenter it). And recheck the modem settings (also a button on these screens).

Maybe even better: make a new dial-up connection following the instructions of your ISP for the settings. Easy to do, and easy to throw away if it doesn't help. Does the helpdesk of your ISP have more details to offer than it being some error on your machine?

You might be on the right track. If the modemlog isn't helpful enough, activate the ppplog and see if that says anything remarkable (compare a machine where it works with a machine where it doesn't work). See http://www.google.nl/search?q=ppplog+site%3Asupport.microsoft.com, but I can only find references for Windows 98 and ME on that site. Maybe the 2000/NT-forum can help for Windows 2000, if these articles don't apply?


Kees

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Some explanation.
Feb 28, 2004 7:01PM PST

Making a connection with your ISP involves two main steps:
1. The modems one both side must get on terms, so to speak. This shows up in the modem log.
2. Your system has to 'log on' and be accepted as a valid partner. These are the higher layers of the ISO-model. I think this shows up in the ppplog.

The playfield consists of:
- modem (hardware)
- modem settings
- modem drivers
- all kinds of Microsoft network software, including DUN (Dial Up Networking) and winsock, which for some OS'es can be replaced with a newer version separately
- dial-up connection (a bunch of registry settings, in fact)
- TCP-IP settings
- Internet settings
- hidden settings coming with all that software
and, moreover,
- unknown viruses or virus damage interfering

At the moment I'm enjoying an old green Penguin version of a classical who-dun-it, Ngaio Marsh' Final Curtain. It's about the Old Man being murdered in a ***** castle inhabited by the queerest family you've ever seen (with the possible exception of the Osbournes 85 years later). A highly appropriate analogy, in fact. You'll need the wits of Superintendent Roderick Alleyn and Inspector Fox to sort this out. Traces left all over, of course, in the log files, but traces can be misleading.

Luckily, as a last resort, you've got the possibility to format and reinstall and start all over if you really can't find it. Mr Alleyn could only go forward, not back in time.
But, as I said, start with the components before taking such a drastic and irreversible step.

Hope you find it.

Kees

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Re:Some explanation.
Mar 1, 2004 6:14AM PST

Turns out it was my registry that was giving me problems. I reinstalled Wwin2k and everything seems to be working fine now. Thanks everyone.