Internet Freezes / Comes to a Crawl

[waleslie]

I've been dealing with a strange problem for a while now. It seems that after a certain amount of use, my internet connection comes to a crawl / freezes temporarily.

I'm running Window 7 SP1 32 bit. I have Time Warner / Spectrum cable for internet service.

The main web browser I use is now Chrome (after having so many problems with Firefox crashing related to Adobe Flash). It's possible this problem is brought on by Chrome, but I haven't confirmed that. Also, once the problem occurs, all programs seem to be hit by it.

Basically, at some point while using Chrome, I'll click to go to a new web page and Chrome will become unresponsive. Generally, if given a few minutes, Chrome starts responding again and loads the page. This behavior will repeat. I'd assume that it's a Chrome problem, however once Chrome becomes unresponsive, all internet using programs stop responding (such as my pop email account mail checker). If Chrome is unresponsive and I try to load Firefox, it doesn't work. At the same time, if I try to end all of the Chrome.exe processes, there are generally one or two instances that I cannot close.

Usually at this point, I'll reboot the computer, and everything goes back to normal... for a while. Then the problem resurfaces.

I've run several scanners (adwcleaner, anti-malware bytes, etc), but they aren't really finding anything.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to approach this?

 

[samuria]

Does the router show it's connected when this happens as it can be a router problem or a PC problem are you using wireless or cable? Run http://www.crewetown.co.uk/wireless.exe. It does all net works post results note you MUST right click and choose run as administrator

 

[waleslie]

So... I ran the wireless.exe program twice. The first time under "normal" conditions, with the internet responding properly. The second time was when Chrome etc. were not responding.

Looks like the system is unable to ping while that is going on.

I've got a "Technicolor" cable modem from Time Warner (now Spectrum) attached to that I have an ASUS RT-AC66U router.

A few months ago I was having problems and had to have Time Warner's tech support reconfigure their modem to be in bridge mode (the ASUS router was having trouble seeing the internet through it). It took them quite a while to figure out the configuration on their end and they never ultimately told me what they did.

Do I need to contact them again or is there something I can do?

 

[samuria]

When it drops does the modem show it's got no connection?

 

[waleslie]

As in does the "Online" light on the modem go off? I don't think so, but I'll confirm in a while when it happens next.

 

[waleslie]

Sorry, I was away from the computer for a few days. Anyway, the last time the internet became unresponsive, the "Online" light on the cable modem remained on.

What can I check next?