Connected to Internet but CANNOT Load Pages in Browsers

For a few months now, a few times a day, I'll be surfing fine but after awhile my browser (Firefox or IE) cannot load any pages, it'll say something like cannot load page. But I notice my downloads are still going (in Firefox or µTorrent, etc.) and my VoIP still works.

I"m on a WIRED connection and have noticed the problem mostly on this PC, but that's probably because this is used way more than the others. I'm using Windows 7 x64. I've updated to SP1 but this problem has still been happening even before then. I've done alot of searching and I've done the following things to try and fix this but it still happens:
- My Setup: modem to wireless router to ethernet cables to 2 PCs and VoIP. My router is a D-Link DIR-615 B2 set to DHCP with DNS Relay OFF.
- The computer IPv4 is set to auto retrieve IP and DNS.
- Windows Firewall disabled, I use Kaspersky Internet Security 11. I've even tried to close Kaspersky when the problem happens, doesn't help.
- Kaspersky and Malwarebytes found no viruses/malware.
- I originally thought it may be a really hidden virus/malware, so I formatted and did a fresh install of Win 7.
- I've updated my network drivers (all are latest). I originally thought my onboard network adapter was dying, so I put in a spare Belkin F5D5000 v2000 10/100 Network Adapter and turned off the onboard one in the bios, still happens.
- My Rogers cable modem is 10/100, so in my D-Link router I switched the speed from auto to 100. On PC is auto, wasn't sure if setting to 100 Full duplex would help. Still happens.
- I also read that Rogers DNS servers are crap so I switched to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 but it still happens whether using default Rogers DNS or Google's.
- Disabled WinHTTP AutoProxy service, read this can cause problems as it stops itself after 15 mins of inactivity. I saw it was off when it happened, turned it on and it worked, but it always turns off again so I disabled it from ever starting.

In an elevated command prompt I've done all these, but still happens:
- ipconfig /flushdns
- netsh winsock reset catalog (reset winsock entries)
- netsh int ip reset (reset TCP/IP stack)
- sfc /scannow No system files were corrupt


I suspect it's my router giving out, I've updated the firmware/factory reset but still happens. I'd plug the modem directly to the PC to test but since we use VoIP, the PC would be the only thing connected, and I'm expecting calls. Plus I can't really predict when the problem will occur, could take all day...

I've noticed I don't necessarily have to restart the PC to fix the problem; I can either unplug/replug the router or ipconfig /release then /renew each time it happens. Which makes me think its either a router issue with DNS cache or DHCP. I've read ppl have had problems with this router, but its just happened to me these past few months...I think its been with me for 5 years now.

You mentioned downloading with µTorrent, and this exact samething happens to me on 7, too, even with XP now as well. I think that more ISPs are blocking any ports that use BitTorrent in combination with routers. Although it doesn't say Rogers does, it seems weird that it's happening so much now lately.

I'm with Time Warner, and the only way I've been able to get around this is to use a VPN while I download. Even older versions of µTorrent act the same now without the VPN.

Funny thing is, it happens when utorrent isn't on either. It isn't Kaspersky either, the problem just occured a half hour ago, and I disabled the 2 Kasperky addons (anti-banner, URL Advisor) in Firefox as well as closing Kasperky. The problem persisted until I did ipconfig /release and /renew.

I really think the router is crapping out, I read lots of ppl hate the DIR-615, lots of disconnecting. Read alot of ppl have to unplug/replug to surf properly.

I'm thinking of getting the DIR-655, been reading positive reviews, and so far I haven't seen too many disconnect complaints. Are there any other wireless routers you guys can recommend? How Belkin? I think the new Linksys routers are bad, read alot of them overheat...

I looked on the Windows 7 compatibility center and the model you're using is on there, so it may just be like you said. I'm using a Netgear CGD24G, but it's not on their list, so my problems could be just that.

I don't know much about all of the different kinds, but you could maybe get one that you see on their compatibility list, again. Windows 7 Compatibility Center

heh thanks for the link. I wasn't aware that routers have compatibility issues with the OS.

I see that my D-Link is DIR-615 is compatible, also the DIR-655 I'm interested in getting...

Anyone else think its the router as well? Or something else?

sometimes, you just have hardware that intermittently fails. it sounds to me like you have tried everything you can to fix it. I would just bite the bullet and go for the 655 and gigabit... also, how long have you had this 615 and have you voided its warranty or anything?

ha it felt longer, but I found the receipt in the box, says April '08...thought I had for 5 years

Box says 1 yr warranty, so yeah.

ahhh to bad, i've had a few times i got them to trade me up for free when my equipment stopped working