Windows 7: odd downloading problem

It is interesting to look at a few other threads on freezing, hanging etc.
may be related.....


Windows 7 HP Pavillion Laptop
Firefox Internet Download Manager

DSL from ATT Speedstream 5100 modem


normal download speed 3008 kbs/s

1) has worked well for about 6 months
2) many updates to all programs and Windows 7 - later odd problem
3) does not appear to be ATT - techs have checked line and modem many times


description:

during downloads of a batch of files, downloads drop in speed then shut down to zero -- modem sometimes resets itself -- to a much slower speed.



does not "seem" to be a firewall problem - PC Internet Security Suite
and yes I hate to try there tech support for any answers...

OK - reboot modem many times -- no luck will not reset to normal speed.
power off modem and reboot computer -- sometimes will get proper speed.
hard reboot of laptop and reboot modem sometimes will get proper speed.
problem getting worse


suspicions are that there is a Windows 7 app accessing the internet which blows away my downloads. -- but what? there is nothing showing in the task manager...
maybe Windows 7 error reporting?


requests:

1) is there a program that will definitely show me what programs are accessing the internet in real time via any/all ports?
2) how can I turn off any possible Windows 7 apps that may want to access the internet?
3) any clever ideas?

---- and yes, I have the latest updates to every driver Windows 7 and HP recommended.

I just Googled around looking for a similiar issue with your modem.
Correct me if I'm wrong but that model is 2006 or 2007 model which is no longer available.
Has ATT updated the firmware on the modem for you? This may be helpful but it is an older modem.

Water and cold on the exterior of your house can also effect signal strenght which may decrease speed. You also said that it happens when " during downloads of a batch of files"
Do you normally download multiple files at the same time? This can lower bandwidth especially from different servers, etc.

I think you may need to look around for a newer modem as many things have changed in just the last 2 years and your modem isn't handling the speed. I do not feel that Windows 7 has anything to do with it. It control data in and out very well. Sorry I don't have anything else to add.

Good luck.

Yes the modem is older. The techs that have looked at it say it still works fine and has been updated late last year. ATT does not seem to be interested in replacing this thing.

Batch downloads do not impact my download speed because although my download connection is 3008 kb/s ATT throttles that back to actual system downloads of 350 kb/s at the DSL Hub. That prevents them from impacting sales of their cable systems

weather could be a factor from time to time - and Texas has had cooler than usual

--- but, I have been at this for some time with good results until a few months ago and the problem is getting worse. I think weather to be a very low likelyhood.

What I am trying to do is to isolate and identify. gor everything I can find turned off. troubleshooting intermittent problems is one of the hardest tasks around.

if, as I suspect, something from HP or MS is accessing the internet, I can't find it.

I do not believe it to be memory problem since I have more than 2.5 gig free.

OK. If you want to see what possible may be running in ht ebackground or downloading/uploading you can run this program someone from TechNet directed me to use for a similiar problem.

Process Monitor

You can run this anytime and view what Windows 7 is doing in the background.
This includs uploading and download files .

Hope this geys you to the bottom of your problem.
Keep us posted.