Wireless connection icon freezing but still connected to the internet

[Doo0592]

Hi all,

I have been having this problem for over a month now. It first started on my old laptop which is now sadly defunct due to a graphics card issue and is no longer on the network, however, the issue has now transferred to 2 other laptops over the space of a few weeks.

A basic overview is that when you start the laptops the icon in the system tray for the wireless network continues to display that it's connecting (the spinning circle) for over 30 mins. A desktop gadget I had installed on my old laptop advised me that it had solved the pc and router's IPs but was having issues solving the external IP. Yet, I could still open and browse the internet freely but it did cause windows functions (ie. the network connection centre etc.) to freeze on start up. This issue does not occur while in safe mode with networking.

Solutions I have tried (not in order):

*Windows repair
*Windows restore
*Norton and AVG and Kaspersky scan
*PC pitstop scan
*Troubleshooted startup services and programs

This issue has jumped from one pc after it was off the network to a pc that is usually connected last.

I have abstained from reinstalling the OS for the moment due to lack of back up space.

I have suspicions that there is a virus in the system but I don't know how to find it . Any help on this would be appreciated.

Doo0592 x

 

[chev65]

Don't you think there is a possiblity that having three A/V's installed on your system can cause this type of problem? The virus is the anti virus in this case. I suggest you uninstall your A/V's then test.

 

[Doo0592]

Sorry chev65 I should have clarified a few things but I had an 8 year old hanging over my shoulder wanting to look for pictures of great danes

The anti-virus progams were not installed at the same time on the same pc.

I play World of Warcraft and have had a few security issues with it and this is where I suspect the malware/ virus/ trojan has come from. Only PCs that have had Warcraft installed are affected, one desktop is not.

I am looking for ways to troubleshoot the issue deeper in the system as all anti-virus programs are coming back negative. Services and startup programs have been eliminated as the cause- so looking for help troubleshooting drivers/registry.

Once again any help is appreciated

 

[Fayla]

Do you use the built in Windows wireless software, or the wireless client software provided with the wifi card?

 

[Pierre50]

Hello Doo0592,

What I see missing from your efforts is the use of SAFE MODE and/or SAFE MODE w/ NETWORKING...

I know that my wireless works find in SAFE MODE w/ NETWORKING, so you should try that also.

As far as Virus detection, it's pretty worthless to scan at any time except for when in SAFE MODE. I think it was 8 years ago or so that the virus coders built in and fully adopted Stealth Mode... if Windows is running in it's native mode, the virus is hidden from most AV scanners.

So give a whirl with SAFE MODE, and let's hear what happens... You can use SAFE MODE w/ NETWORKING to update sig files and test your wireless with the wireless router.

Just in case - you enter SAFE MODE by tapping the F8 key every second during start up - Start tapping the F8 key immediately after the BIOS loading is complete.

HTH...

 

[Doo0592]

Thanks Rei and Pierre for the replies

Since my last post I have ran defraggler, cc cleaner, hijack this and attempted to run rootkitbuster but x64 it is not supported. I would appreciated it if someone could have a look at the hijack this log attached and let me know if there is anything suspect.

Pierre, I did mention in the first post that the issue doesn't present in safe mode with networking but it was probably lost in all the information I had to give I tried Norton in safe mode but the service can't start so I will try AVG/ Kaspersky and let you know the outcome.

Rei, I am using the windows wireless software as no other software came with the laptop but I will have a look on the manufacturer's website and see if there is anything there.

Thanks again all xx
doo

 

[Pierre50]

Hello Doo0592,

Yup, my speed reading failed me... once again!

I would suggest that you head to MS Sysinternals and at least download the Process Explorer application. It's safe, light, and fast... and it will show you which process is taking the CPU focus, which may help you ID the reason for the spinning wireless loading delay.

I am also not a big fan of 'security suites' and would like to know what happens when you remove the Kaspersky Internet Suite and use the built in windows fwall and a stand alone AV package. I have seen more 'security suites' booger up (advanced technical term there) a system in the blink of an eye, and when removed the system is fast and does what it should.

I did not see anything glaring in the Hijack this log - most everything looked kosher, but then - I was speed reading once again...

Keep us posted.

 

[Fayla]

That's good. I really only asked that because the built in wireless client for Windows usually doesn't have as many problems as a third party wireless client.

Rei, I am using the windows wireless software as no other software came with the laptop but I will have a look on the manufacturer's website and see if there is anything there.

 

[Doo0592]

Thanks again Pierre

I have just finished running kaspersky in safe mode and that hasn't turned up anything. Going to install AVG AV only and run that but I'm not expecting it to pick up anything either at this point. Good to know the hijackthis log looked ok thou it's starting to rule out a virus or trojan at least. My last step after this, I think, will be to do a clean reinstall of win and put it bk to 32x as well lol

Spk soon!

doo

 

[Doo0592]

Oh and thanks Rei (you mustave been posting while I was typing hehe) I think the same myself about the 3rd party wireless software

 

[Fayla]

Oh and thanks Rei (you mustave been posting while I was typing hehe) I think the same myself about the 3rd party wireless software

I suppose it wouldn't hurt to suggest this since you mentioned reinstalling. Have you gone into the device manager and then the properties of your wireless card?

You could try disabling un-needed services from its property list. Also, you could try giving it a new MAC ID. It might be worth a try.

 

[Doo0592]

UPDATE: A clean install has solved this issue although it would have been nice to have figured out what cause it. Never seems to be the case with PC troubleshooting though

 

[Doo0592]

oops missed rei's post there

Have been occupied setting up my new alienware PC so I totally forgot to check up on this thread. Not having much luck with wireless at the mo though cause my new PC is having wireless issues too. Not the same ones of course cause that would make it easy.

The built in WNIC is dropping it's connection a lot and it's signal is very low. I also got a BSOD about 5 days ago (but not since). PFN_LIST_CORRUPT. 2 drivers attached afd.sys and ntoskrnl.exe. Both windows system files from what I can gather, which hasn't been much. Info on the forum suggests that this BSOD may be network related. Minidump is attached.

Does anyone know of any NIC diagnostic tools I could try to test the card?

At the moment I am using a USB wireless adapter and it's connection is much more stable and strong but still drops out on occasion.

I've been ill lately and don't have much energy left for trying to resolve the issue so I was wondering if you guys could take me through step by step which areas I should look at? Even pointing me to threads to read would help and would be mucho appreciated

Steps taken so far:

- Windows update
- Manual drivers updates incl. chipsets/ BIOS etc
- Tested without running firewalls/AV etc

What I'm doing now:

- Testing without windows updates.
- Running MemTest

Thanks again guys.

Ps if you need me to make this a new post just let me know and I'll move it out