Windows 7 Network Issue

[Alexik]

First of all let me say Hello, as this is my first post here. My name is Alex.

Now to the point of the post. I installed Windows 7 RTM from MSDN when it got out (not sure about the build number, but it is RTM). My problem is that it has this nasty bug as far as I can see.

I use uTorrent for file sharing and so on, but when the bandwidth gets max'ed out, my connection with the router dies. Before you jump out with conclusions and some questions I must add that the router is perfectly set-up, using WPA2-PSK, connecting 3 computers in total. I did not have this issue on XP Pro, I did not have this issue in Vista SP1/SP2 but I do have it on 7 RTM Ultimate. I do own another laptop with Vista (no SP installed) and it acts the same sometimes but not as often as this PC does. The only solution so far was to restart the router, keep it offline for 10 secs then turn the power back on. Then the router resends IP info and so on and the PC's internet connection works again. My drivers are properly installed and are 7 certified and so on. So as far as I can see, there is a bug with 7 or something. I thought it was because of the max half-open connection settings, but as far as I can see my build has no limitations, only the RCs had so there's nothing I can do there. UAC is turned off, so is every firewall except for the router's which is perfectly set-up.

I do not know what to do more.

IPv6 is also checked out, as I read on another forum that it could be problem (and also the solution for others).

This only happens when using P2P programs (as far as I can tell) because when I download/upload something via FTP clients or Firefox even...it doesn't go offline. This is some weird behaviour.

I also sent an e-mail to Microsoft telling them about this and they simply replied that my version is beta. I did add the fact that my version is RTM (which I remember that stands for 'Release to Manufacturing' which could mean it's a final of sorts) but they haven't replied ever since, totally ignoring the issue (they did tell me that in the RTM this problem was solved - but I couldn't find a single person saying that the final versions of the RC had this bug anymore and still, the RTM has it).

I have also read that first Vista RTM had this problem as well and it was solved in SP1, but the fact is that Microsoft does not emphasize on this matter, did not release any separate fix or info, all they say is that if you install SP1 to Vista then you need not worry anymore.

It is annoying to have issues, and especially pressing issues like this one (I simply can't stand it anymore as I can not even browse the net sometimes because of this bug or whatever it is).

Any help is appreciated. Thanks,

Alex

PS: I do not know if this post should be in General Discussion or Software, but I posted it here in discussions for starters. If I was wrong with that, please move it

LE: I must emphasize on the fact that the computer is perfectly set-up (firewall turned off and all auto-exceptions removed and such, so the firewall doesn't interfere anymore with the connections...this thing with the firewall is something else that bothers me...why give the user the option to disable it if you still keep it on auto-configure and so on? Some things are simply bad implementations - especially for people that KNOW how to operate a PC and set it up).
uTorrent settings are perfect, port forwarding is perfect, antivirus is set-up perfectly and so on. I am only saying this because the problem *MUST* be from Windows 7. Another thing to add is that the problem doesn't occur under a pattern. Sometimes my connection is online even if the bandwidth is max'ed out (and stays online for hours) and sometimes it disconnects every 30 secs (which makes it worse in trying to find the actual source).

I only hope someone can help...

 

[Snufffed]

1. open your network and sharing.
2. locate the connection set by Win7 on install. (they do it automatically).
3. DELETE this connection - DELETE ok,
4. move to setup a NEW connection. manually setup.
once the connection is set. wait until it finds and sets so that your online.
average time is less than 2 min.
5. once you have a good connection.
REBOOT.
That should cure your problem. also your P2P programs should ask to be reset.

PS: Make sure you have the patch to allow x86 to run 4GB Ram

 

[Alexik]

1. open your network and sharing.
2. locate the connection set by Win7 on install. (they do it automatically).
3. DELETE this connection - DELETE ok,
4. move to setup a NEW connection. manually setup.
once the connection is set. wait until it finds and sets so that your online.
average time is less than 2 min.
5. once you have a good connection.
REBOOT.
That should cure your problem. also your P2P programs should ask to be reset.

PS: Make sure you have the patch to allow x86 to run 4GB Ram

First of all let me thank you for the prompt reply.

I don't want to act smart and stuff, but I did uninstall the ethernet drivers from windows and installed them from my manufacturer several times.

And about the RAM, I don't know what patch you're talking about but Windows tells me I have 4GB installed and only 3.25GB usable. Vista SP1/SP2 did the same, only XP told me I only had 3.25GB installed.

Anyway, let me try that. I will also try simulating the 'bug' again, see if it worked or something. I'll have to go soon but will leave it like that to see if it stays up for several hours.

Thanks again.

EDIT: I tried deleting the connection, it cannot be done as it is the only (and default) connection. Also, I am having trouble finding a way to manually set-up a LAN connection (because that is what I need, as my ISP is using PPPoE and the router automatically does that for me.). It sounds noobish, I know, but it is as I explained.

Thanks for trying though, I appreciate it.

Alex

 

[Alexik]

Any other ideas? I did update the network driver (used 3 versions so far...2 older ones and the latest one) and still with no result. Every driver is now up-to-date and still acts the same. No patches and no info from Microsoft...

Alex

 

[SquonkSC]

Any other ideas? I did update the network driver (used 3 versions so far...2 older ones and the latest one) and still with no result. Every driver is now up-to-date and still acts the same. No patches and no info from Microsoft...

Alex

Hi Alex,

It's not a Win7 bug.

utorrent is NOT fully compatible with Win7. (yet)

There are numerous posts about it here and on other fora.

It works for some people including on my laptop, but it's hard to tell why.
It crashes Windows on both my desktops.

Only difference I can think of is that on my laptop I don't have aero.

greetz

 

[Alexik]

Hi Alex,

It's not a Win7 bug.

utorrent is NOT fully compatible with Win7. (yet)

There are numerous posts about it here and on other fora.

It works for some people including on my laptop, but it's hard to tell why.
It crashes Windows on both my desktops.

Only difference I can think of is that on my laptop I don't have aero.

greetz

I have thought of this myself but stopped thinking about it when a new version of uTorrent was released and the developers said it was compatible with 7. It could be because of the Aero stuff, I don't know. The thing is that I haven't tried other P2P programs to see if the problem persists.

Either way, I am not sure if it's because uTorrent because, you see...it does not disconnect my network adapter, it does not reset the router, it does nothing. It simply stops the traffic between my PC and router (the other PCs keep working as usual, no errors for them - XP and Vista). And as said before, the only solution was to power off the router for like 10-15 secs then turn it back on, then everything went back to normal. That's why I don't think it is because uTorrent.

Either way, I'll keep searching and see if I come up with any results.

Thanks,

Alex

LE: I just checked the uTorrent site and the current version is not compatible with 7 (a big LOL) so it might just be because of uTorrent acting funny with 7.

 

[Alexik]

I talked to some friends and they didn't have this issue on 7 RTM Ultimate X86, so I just found a fix. I went back to my old XP Pro (at least until this gets fixed).

Thanks for all the info and such,

Alex

 

[torrentg]

It works perfectly here and has since 7000 beta, the first one I had. Maybe you have it set in Win 7 to accept more connections than your router can handle. Try lowering the number of allowed connections. Try 325 for global number of connections. I use it and always max out my connection speed when the torrent can support it.
Make sure your router is in a well cooled area.

 

[Alexik]

It works perfectly here and has since 7000 beta, the first one I had. Maybe you have it set in Win 7 to accept more connections than your router can handle. Try lowering the number of allowed connections. Try 325 for global number of connections. I use it and always max out my connection speed when the torrent can support it.
Make sure your router is in a well cooled area.

I just tried resuming my usual P2P traffic and it did the same on XP Pro. I am now suspecting my Atheros Gigabit Ethernet card. I will install the original drivers for XP. The thing is that when I had XP before 7, I kept the original drivers for everything because some updates caused errors and such. So I will downgrade to the original driver and see if the problem persists. I think it won't, but I shall see.

Also, the router is not gigabit, but the lan card was set on auto-negotiation so it got 100 mbps full duplex usually. I did set it manually to 100 mbps full duplex just now and still the same issue. Will check out with the original driver and post an update.

PS: the number of connections has nothing to do with this. The router supported 1000 connections before so it *HAS* to be the driver for the LAN card (as this is the major change from XP to Vista/7...my old driver was for Vista too, maybe that's why it worked on Vista...but for 7 Atheros released a *newer* version). Anyway, will come back in a few with the update.

EDIT: reverting to the original lan driver did not do the trick. I will downgrade to an older version of XP (no updates and such - the version that I was using before 7) and will install the original drivers that came with the components. Hopefully that will do the trick.

EDIT2: I just finished setting up the XP Pro installation with the original drivers and such. No errors so far, no problems, etc. I don't think that the problem stated above will return in this case, but still it will be a problem. I will contact ASUS to see what they think/say about it.

Again, thanks to all that looked and replied.

Alex

EDIT3: Feelin' a little embarassed right now, but apparently the problem still persists in the old configuration. I will buy new cables, check it out step by step. Also call my ISP and see if there are any limits (but still, how come my other computers don't act the same...what could actually do this only for this PC ?!). Being this is the only wired PC to the router, it might be the cable, looks a little loose and stuff, will replace it and see then. Also can any router settings act like that? The thing is that the router is set-up the same for the past 2 years, so why didn't it act like this before? And so on...

This is really frustrating right now...more than ever.

 

[Alexik]

I have just sorted out the problem. Did not find the solution yet, but the problem came from the router. I suspect the Flood settings and such, will check them more. I just plugged in the card to the ISP line and I get 8 MB/s as usual.

The thing that still frustrates me is that the router worked. Will flash it with the original firmware and redo the settinsg.

Thanks again...I think that the topic can be deleted since it does not relate to Windows 7...sorry for posting it without investigating everything first.

Alex

EDIT: I just checked it out, apparently the problem was from the Flood settings, removed them and now I got full speed again...sigh

 

[Snufffed]

Any other ideas? I did update the network driver (used 3 versions so far...2 older ones and the latest one) and still with no result. Every driver is now up-to-date and still acts the same. No patches and no info from Microsoft...

Alex

I have no idea why you can not DELETE the connection. even if it is set to default.
I many times have to delete the setup customers have installed. disable it, delete it. and make a new one. That is what the system network and sharing shows on the left hand side. IF YOURS DOES NOT THEN YOU HAVE A BORKED .ISO.

The Router has nothing to do with what is set in the computer. What your saying is if you move and get a different ISP or simply have a NEW ISP become available. YOUR SCREWED... it simply does not work that way.

Disable - Delete. make you a new setup.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Alex,

It's not a Win7 bug.

utorrent is NOT fully compatible with Win7. (yet)

There are numerous posts about it here and on other fora.

UTorrent is 100% ready for Windows 7. I have not had one problem, with uTorrent on Windows 7 - from v 7000 upthru and including 7600 RTM. uTorrent if FREE and unless your using some old pre-win7 version.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
come now folks - unless you manually install some old driver, and unless you special device is not supported. and Atheros is supported by Win7. I have simply used the default driver installed by Win 7 one more than one Laptop with Atheros. HCL lists 10 devices that are 100% x86 and x64 Win7 ready. and many many that are Vista, ready. so that is a very poor excuse. Delete your crappy XP drivers that you or some one had to install manually, reboot and let Win7 install the default drivers.

 

[SquonkSC]

@Snuffy,

The problem is solved.

 

[Snufffed]

Excellent - glad all is well.

 

[Alexik]

Any other ideas? I did update the network driver (used 3 versions so far...2 older ones and the latest one) and still with no result. Every driver is now up-to-date and still acts the same. No patches and no info from Microsoft...

Alex

I have no idea why you can not DELETE the connection. even if it is set to default.
I many times have to delete the setup customers have installed. disable it, delete it. and make a new one. That is what the system network and sharing shows on the left hand side. IF YOURS DOES NOT THEN YOU HAVE A BORKED .ISO.

The Router has nothing to do with what is set in the computer. What your saying is if you move and get a different ISP or simply have a NEW ISP become available. YOUR SCREWED... it simply does not work that way.

Disable - Delete. make you a new setup.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Alex,

It's not a Win7 bug.

utorrent is NOT fully compatible with Win7. (yet)

There are numerous posts about it here and on other fora.

UTorrent is 100% ready for Windows 7. I have not had one problem, with uTorrent on Windows 7 - from v 7000 upthru and including 7600 RTM. uTorrent if FREE and unless your using some old pre-win7 version.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
come now folks - unless you manually install some old driver, and unless you special device is not supported. and Atheros is supported by Win7. I have simply used the default driver installed by Win 7 one more than one Laptop with Atheros. HCL lists 10 devices that are 100% x86 and x64 Win7 ready. and many many that are Vista, ready. so that is a very poor excuse. Delete your crappy XP drivers that you or some one had to install manually, reboot and let Win7 install the default drivers.

I feel that some things need closure. I don't know about the .iso and such, no errors when written to DVD, no errors when installed. Windows simply told me I cannot delete the default connection. Nor did I have the option of making a new LAN connection (as simple as that, no broadband or PPPoE, or wireless or whatever...that's what I needed, simple LAN).

About the router...apparently the flood settings that worked for me for the past 3 years stopped working like 1 week ago. It might be because the speed of my connection steadily increased as the ISP improved subscriptions and so on and it was poorly set-up (actually outdated, I might say).

About uTorrent, I was always using the latest version as it auto-updated. I did try with 2.0 Beta and other Betas, till I realized it was not uTorrent.

And about the LAN driver, it finally came up that it wasn't the problem, or so it seems now.

Still, I am now using XP Pro SP3 with 05.2009 drivers (original) and it works perfectly without any flood protection.

I will try installing 7 again when I get a tad more free time.

The lesson to be learnt here...sometimes the obvious becomes complicated and you start thinking of serious problems and so on when the solution is right under your nose...and I added this to my other "so simple it becomes complicated" problems

Thanks guys,

Alex

 

[SquonkSC]

Problems become complicated when they can have multiple causes.

It's like searching for your keys.

They are always at the last place you look.

 

[Cide]

@Alexik

Do you have an Atheros L1 ethernet card by any chance? I'm having similar issues with Windows 7 64bit and utorrent.

 

[ucf4004]

did any of you guys have used "Halite" before? its fully compatible with Windows 7 (actually its OS independent) and also supports x64 systems. link for many platforms is here:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/halite/files/

 

[Alexik]

@Alexik

Do you have an Atheros L1 ethernet card by any chance? I'm having similar issues with Windows 7 64bit and utorrent.

My Atheros card is AR8121/AR8113/AR8114 Gigabit (I know, 3 series, but that's what it tells me), so it's not from the L1 series. Maybe if you can give us some details. What exactly happens? And when it happens, what are you doing or what is uTorrent doing?

If you're experimenting slow speeds then there are lots of reasons for that. You should describe the problem a little.

did any of you guys have used "Halite" before? its fully compatible with Windows 7 (actually its OS independent) and also supports x64 systems. link for many platforms is here:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/halite/files/

Maybe that is useful for *nix systems or some what, but even so I've seen people running uTorrent under wine and so on. I saw lots of people complaining about this Halite.

From my experience, uTorrent is the best Bittorrent client for Windows at least. It does have some caching problems some times and you get slow speeds, but they can be resolved by manually adjusting cache settings and so on.

Alex