Strange Connection Problem

Hi folks.

I wasn't sure where to post this but I think it must be a software problem.
I'm running a self build system that I've had for a few weeks now.
A week or so ago I had a lengthy session in Chrome Browser using Google Wave. I then closed Chrome and opened Firefox to do something else but it soon became apparent that I was no longer on the web. I couldn't view any pages, couldn't access email etc.
I tried Chrome again and that was the same.
I shut down, disconnected everything, turned off my router and so on and when I plugged it all back in I was back online. Problem solved I thought.
However, since then this has happened about four times. Always under similar circumstances. After a session in Chrome browser in Google Wave and other sites.
The second time (and subsequently) I have simply rebooted and the problem is solved.
Last night I was playing with Wave in Chrome most of the evening and then came out and opened FF.
Same again, no connection. Went back to Chrome, no connection. Opened Opera, no connection.
However I happened to be downloading a torrent file using uTorrent so I checked that and the torrent was still coming down rapidly. Therefore I must have still had a connection to the net.
Checked all my browsers again and nothing, no connection apparently.
Did a reboot and problem solved.

This is mystifying me. It seems to be some kind of software/connection problem but it's affecting browsers and not uTorrent?
I'd appreciate any ideas on this, thanks, John:)

johnwillyums said:

Hi folks.

I wasn't sure where to post this but I think it must be a software problem.
I'm running a self build system that I've had for a few weeks now.
A week or so ago I had a lengthy session in Chrome Browser using Google Wave. I then closed Chrome and opened Firefox to do something else but it soon became apparent that I was no longer on the web. I couldn't view any pages, couldn't access email etc.
I tried Chrome again and that was the same.
I shut down, disconnected everything, turned off my router and so on and when I plugged it all back in I was back online. Problem solved I thought.
However, since then this has happened about four times. Always under similar circumstances. After a session in Chrome browser in Google Wave and other sites.
The second time (and subsequently) I have simply rebooted and the problem is solved.
Last night I was playing with Wave in Chrome most of the evening and then came out and opened FF.
Same again, no connection. Went back to Chrome, no connection. Opened Opera, no connection.
However I happened to be downloading a torrent file using uTorrent so I checked that and the torrent was still coming down rapidly. Therefore I must have still had a connection to the net.
Checked all my browsers again and nothing, no connection apparently.
Did a reboot and problem solved.

This is mystifying me. It seems to be some kind of software/connection problem but it's affecting browsers and not uTorrent?
I'd appreciate any ideas on this, thanks, John:)

Hi John

Wondered what was happening to you in wave. I assume homegroup and IPv6. right? Ipv6 can casue that and it wouldnt nec affect torrent (different ports and protocols). It could also be an dns/dhcp issue. next time that happens before you reboot etc, try ipconfig /flushdns and ipconfig /renew. If that works its a dns problem easy to fix. If that doesn't help see if there is any notations in event viewer>windows log>applications tab. it would say app hang, app crash or sime such. If logged note the "event ID" and "source" you can google them. If you want I can also (have abt 200 of them memorized) give you a hand. Let me know


Kenn J++

Much obliged Kenn. Next time it happens I'll try what you suggest I'll try the ipconfig commands and see what I get.
Figured it had to be something like that. Trouble is it doesn't happen all the time.
Well, actually I'm glad it doesn't happen all the time:)

Thanks, John

PS your cat is looking a lot more relaxed today

Hi Adrian. Long time no see.
I've been into the router config and everything looks ok in there. I couldn't actually find a Release DHCP control. It's fairly simple though and it looks ok in and out.
I think I'll have to wait 'til it happens again and try Ken's ipconfig method to narrow down the possibilities.
Thanks to you both for your input, J

D**n. It just happened again but I couldn't remember what I was supposed to enter after ipconfig so I just rebooted instead. I've written out the commands now so next time.
Did have a look in event viewer though but nothing recent showing in there. I hate little problems like this

Hello Ken (or anybody). It just happened again.

I was watching live tv in Media Center but had left Chrome open.
I closed Media Center and brought up Chrome and I appeared to be off line. Same in FF.

So I opened a command prompt window put in ipconfig/flush/dns and then ipconfig/renew and I got this result.(see pic)

However this had not re established my browser connection so presumably it is not a DNS problem.

I have looked in Event Viewer and I find an error about 9 hours ago (4130 Windows Backup).

Earlier this evening I had two warnings (1014 DNS Client Event). Also over the last few days they are all the same error (7031 Service Control Manager)

Any ideas on this would be most welcome. A reboot works fine but it shouldn't be happening.

I'm just waiting on the delivery of a new HDD on which I intend to do a fresh install of W7 and use as my c/drive.
Do you think that will cure the problem anyway? If so then I needn't really worry.

Thanks, John:)

Thanks for the help guys. I'll get back to you if a clean install on a brand new drive doesn't sort this problem out.
It seems to be getting more frequent. J