Internet Access Times Out

muzicman82 · 06 Sep 2011

Hello all,

First of all, I am very computer and Windows 7 savvy, but this issue has me stumped. My normal inclination is to just clean install, but I really would like to figure out what is going on.

My system's Internet seems to just stop working after some time, ranging from a few hours to a day. Rebooting normally fixes it. Sometimes it slowly stops working by sometimes not connecting to hosts or sometimes sites will load but images will not. It's very strange.

I have disabled Windows Firewall and don't run anything else. Background tasks are at a bare minimum, and Spybot, Windows Defender, MalwareBytes, and Super Anti-Spyware all report the system is clean.

The HOSTS file is also clean.

I have also set up the NIC to use OpenDNS.

When Internet dies, in Google Chrome 14, IE 9, or Firefox 6, the browser will give me a "cannot connect" page, but in Command Prompt, I can ping both the domain name, or the IP address successfully. I can also successfully perform a traceroute on the domain, but back to the browser, it will continue to give me "can't connect" messages. Since I can ping the domain, it doesn't seem like DNS issues. Because all browsers do it, it doesn't seem like a browser cache issue (I have cleared them).

Sometimes, I can keep hitting F5 to refresh and after a dozen or so attempts, the page will load, but the next attempt will not.

I don't think it is an ISP issue because it will happen on this system connected to any of several WiFi access points, or connected with my Sprint Mobile Broadband card. Other computers on the network have no issue.

I have tried "netsh winsock reset" and "ipconfig /flushdns". Neither have helped.

I also tried manually restarting Network Connections and other networking services.

Like I said, reboots usually fix it temporarily.

Any other ideas would be great!

salionfx · 12 Sep 2011

I had the EXACT Same problem as you, and i know why, my problem was that i downloaded some sort of spyware/virus, the ONLY way to fix this is to start a clean fresh re-do, grab your recorvery disk and start re-installing!

metalmania31 · 12 Sep 2011

Do virus scan, I say this since you only mentioned you scanned with only spyware scanners. Also you sure your nic is good? Is this a wireless nic or ethernet nic?

muzicman82 · 13 Sep 2011

I also did a virus scan with AVG.

So far it is only the Wireless NIC, but I rarely use the Ethernet. Like I said, what is very weird is that a reboot fixes it. I can't tell why it "times out"... and that when it does time out, I can still ping domains and IPs.

I have reinstalled (cleanly) the latest Intel drivers for my wireless card, which is an Intel Ultimate 6300 AGN. It also doesn't matter what wireless network I connect to.

muzicman82 · 13 Sep 2011

Does anyone know of a (free) background activity logger? Something that will track all process/service changes when the system is left idle.. It's about the only thing left to troubleshoot this.. I am probably just going to clean install. I do that normally every 2-3 months anyway.

karlsnooks · 13 Sep 2011

First, you reenable Windows Firewall. Whoever advised you do that is nothing but pure stupid!

As you can see, I don't mince words.

Now forget using all of the spyware detection stuff, all of those other wonder programsl.

!00% delete your present AV.
Download tools and utilities | AVG Worldwide

Install and use MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) The link in in my sig.

This is the one and the only AV that I use, install and recommend. My system is virus and malware free.

Most important though is that we make sure that you have a clean system which certainly your present measures are not adequate to keep you uninfected.

After the clean system,, then we will go at getting your system to run smoother.

After carrying out the following, then attach the log(s) mentioned to your next post.
PUT SYSTEM SWEEPER ON A USB STICK
System Sweeper, https://connect.microsoft.com/systemsweeper, allows you to start an infected PC and perform an offline scan to identify and remove viruses, rootkits and other advanced malware. System Sweeper is a free standalone, bootable malware and virus remover from Microsoft.
NOTE: A fine tutorial on the System Sweeper is:
How to use the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper

Download System Sweeper (about 576 kB):
https://connect.microsoft.com/systemsweeper

Insert 256 MB or larger USB stick into a usb port.

Run the downloaded program--mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe

Choose the option to install to USB.
Caution: The install program will format the usb stick.

The install program will download about 200 mB more.

After the install is finished, leave the stick in the usb slot.

Run the program you downloaded once again.

This 2nd run, and any subsequent runs, will download the very latest anti-virus definitions (about 60 mB).

To keep System Sweeper up-to-date, simply reinsert the usb stick and run the installation program, mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe, again.

The initial, full scan by System Sweeper can easily take several hours, but subsequent quick scans will be shorter.

Remember, your computer is being very thoroughly checked for all types of malware.

The results of System Sweeper will be in:
\Windows\Standalone System Sweeper\Support as one or more files with a LOG extension which can be viewed with Notepad.

muzicman82 · 13 Sep 2011

Thanks for the info. I ran the standalone scanner and it returned nothing. I wiped AVG and reinstalled 2012 FREE and it also returned nothing.

I don't think the problem is a virus or malware, but I can't figure this one out. I think a clean install will be happening this weekend.

karlsnooks · 14 Sep 2011

Now uninstall AVG, install MSE.

Does the problem still exist? yes/no

In any case, until this is straightened out use MSE and no other anti-virus/anti-spyware program.

piattj · 14 Sep 2011

You need make a wired connection, and for a decent duration, to see if you have the same issues.