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Grave issue with internet/network connectivity on start
Good evening from Aus.
I'm having some very serious problems with Windows 7 at the moment. I've been running it since about 30th November last year, and it has run flawlessly... until about 3 weeks ago.
To sum up the issue before i start getting into its history, on startup (every one now, without exception) I get the blue "busy" circle around my network icon in the toolbar. It stays like this for 15+ minutes, and will randomly either accept the network and internet connection, or stay on permenantly. The real issue (apart from not being able to access the internet/network) is that while doing this, i cannot access the network and sharing center, or any service to do with internet or networking.
When i try, i get the blue circle of doom next to my cursor for 5-10 seconds, like it is preparing to open whatever i tried, and... nothing. No window opens, nothing is running as far as i can tell from the task manager. It tries to open and just doesn't. It's a little different with the network and control center, as the window opens, but it is just blank-white.
A short list of things that this happens with include:
-Windows firewall
-Windows defender
-Network and control center
-internet options
-internet explorer
-steam
-windows live
-right click > troubleshoot problems on network icon in toolbar
-system restore (works 50% of the time)
Troubleshoot steps i have tried:
-Various network cables
-A different hub and plugging the cable directly into my comp
-network diagnostics
-system restore (worked the first time, and a few others until a serious problem occurred with it. More info in next paragraph)
-restarts, full power cycles, checking all hardware for damage etc.
-virus scans (clean)
-Mashing face into keyboard until it worked. (most successful so far)
Here's the kicker: I can download and install windows updates while this is happening. It's the only internet related program that will work while my computer's in this state.
Alright, so a brief history:
The first time i remember this occurring was ~3 weeks ago. I booted up my comp, and got the dreaded circle. The only thing i could remember doing was installing the Quake Live browser plugin the day before. Non-plussed, i system restored at the point of installation and it worked. I didn't really think twice about it and went on my merry way.
Two days later, it happened again. A restart fixed it.
Next day, same issue. Plugged and unplugged network cable. Restarted twice. Downloaded a windows update and used it as my restore point. Started system restore, went and made a coffee and when i was back, it was working.
Had a few clear days, then it got intolerable. Every restart, every boot, it happened. System restore worked a few times, then for some stupefying reason, when i tried to restore, it came up with a black desktop after a restore.
yesterday, i booted up and my shut down button was gone from my startbar, after i falcon punched my keyboard while trying to get it to work. I'm not kidding. Either i'm going insane, or this is a dubious ploy by microsoft to send its users mad.
And now I sit here at your mercy, 7 forums members. I'm at my final tether. I've developed a nervous tick from fear of shutting down my computer.
Help?
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