Slow internet, random disconnects

[Belgareon]

Hey!

I've had this problem for about a week now, internet gets slow and randomly disconnects. However, when I restart my router it works properly for a couple of minutes, then it goes slow and unstable again. Not sure of what this can be. I've called my DSL company and they told me that everything seems to be OK, so Im thinking that this must be a software issue? I've tried to remove cookies and cash on my computer, still doesnt help. Thing is, when the router disconnects, programs like MSN and such still work, but the DNS doesn't (such as explorer, firefox etc.) Any ideas on how to fix this?

Thanks!

[ctal]

Maybe your ISP's dns server is overloaded, or your browser is having trouble getting though to it for some reason. Try Treewalk, a free program I have used successfully to solve similar problems. It caches dns lookups, so that the browser doesn't have to go back to the dns server to look up the same address repeatedly:

TreeWalk DNS Home

Regards,
-- Al

[ATINUT]

I ran in to this for 2 friggin months with my cable ISP, and they refused to nothing, even when presented with router logs, that have long since been deleted that could prove that it was their servers bumping me from the net, they still refused to do anything.

I've let them know how disgusted I am with their customer service, including all the connectivity issues I had for the past 2 months, and even told them I have a DSL installation set for January 30TH. Now I wait to hear what the cable company has to say, and depending on what they say, and as the saying goes what sort of peace treaty the cable company offers, is going to be the deciding factor, as to whether or not I stick with cable internet or get the DSL installation done.

[Belgareon]

I tried running treewalk, but it didnt work, I guess it is because I am running Vista as OS. After trying that I called my DSL provider, they restarted my whole internet connection and I also restarted my router and modem. Then internet was more stable for about half a day, but then it was back to the same old crashes and decreased speed. Not sure what to do from this point, any other ideas?

Thanks

[ctal]

The one thing that occurs to me to try would be removing the router from the path, and directly connecting the pc to the modem. If the router was responsible for the problem, I'm not sure why it would affect browsing but not media over the web, but it seems worth a try considering that restarting the router fixes the problem briefly.

Regards,
-- Al

[Belgareon]

Originally Posted by ctal

The one thing that occurs to me to try would be removing the router from the path, and directly connecting the pc to the modem. If the router was responsible for the problem, I'm not sure why it would affect browsing but not media over the web, but it seems worth a try considering that restarting the router fixes the problem briefly.

Regards,
-- Al

Hey! thanks for the quick reply! Yeah, what I've done now is that I've disconnected the other computers except mine from the router and internet has been running really smoothly for 10 mins now. (that is a long time in this case). So I figure there must be something wrong with one of the other computers? What can that be? Virus-scan + Pest scan first thing to do? I suspect my lil bros computer may be responsible here. He is a computer newb (even more than me), he has no idea what he is DLing and has no anti-virus progs or similar on his comp. At first it was only the DNS that was effected but now when it crashes and slows down it seems everything related to my DSL connection does.

Regards, Alex

[SupDawg]

I would think it sounds like a hardware problem at either your router, modem.

[ctal]

Sounds like a breakthrough!

I agree with SupDawg, it is most likely a hardware problem. Obviously you want to try disconnecting each of the other computers one at a time until you isolate which one is responsible. Then try that one on a different router port (that worked for another computer) to confirm that the router isn't responsible. If it still appears that the same pc is responsible, my guess would be that it is the nic (lan interface card or equivalent motherboard circuit) that is responsible. Maybe the computer has some sort of nic diagnostics installed, perhaps under the Device Manager.

Good luck,
-- Al