Net Browser Problems?

[sirin]

Hi all,

Been having troubles with my net browsers recently - they seem to be dropping connection. (I use Mozilla, but also have IE installed)

When I turn the PC on, everything works fine, connect to the internet ok, everything loads up. Then, after a while (random time it seems, can be 5 mins, can be 30 mins) or when I load another application (the only ones I am certain of is Dark Age Of Camelot, and Planetside - though I think it also happens with Word, Publisher etc, can do some tests if you like / need) the browsers drop the connection - ie you try to load a site and it says "The connection has been timed out while trying to connect to www.blahblah.com" or whatever.

I have tried:
Re-downloading then installing latest modem drivers.
Re-setting up connection properties
Use Mozilla at the moment, tried downloading just Firefox.

It's only browsers that are affected though, games still connect, can still log into messanger etc.

I *think* the problems started after I installed one of the Windows autoupdate patches a few days ago.

I run XP home, can tell hardware if needed.

Hope you can help!

Chris

 

[sirin]

Forgot to say, I have run both anti-virus and trojan finding software, both of which found nothing significant, a few tracking cookies etc

 

[phlash]

Can we have a wee summary of your setup please, in particular:

ISP + package (eg: BTopenworld anytime)
Modem + connection speed (eg: Courier ..., 56k)
Serial port or USB device?
Connectoid / IP settings (eg: fixed IP or dynamic, DNS servers)
Browser config (proxy settings?)

Any example error messages?
What sort of timeout is involved (seconds or minutes?)

Chars,
Phil.

 

[sirin]

Hi

I am on BTOpenworld, Broadband package
Using Speedtouch 330 modem, with a 512 / 256 (I think) connection speed.
Connects through USB
Dynamic IP
Think timeout is set to 60 seconds, nt sure and can't remember how to find it
There are no error messages as such, just the connection timeout message - eg "The operation timed out when attempting to contact www.freddyshouse.com"


Not sure about proxy settings, and cannot find it - if it's needed can you please tell me howto find it and I will post it up.

Thanks

Chris

 

[phlash]

Ta Chris, the proxy settings for IE are in:

Tools->Internet Options->Connections (tab)->Dial-up & VPN Settings
(you may also want to check the 'LAN Settings' from that dialog)

Firefox settings (if anything like Mozilla) are in:

Edit->Preferences->Advanced (tree)->Proxies (tree)

..and I don't think you should need any for your setup.

Can you also open a command prompt and grab the output from "ipconfig /all" just to check the DNS servers and IP configuration looks sensible.

[edit] Just a thought - have you got the XP firewall enabled?

Phil.

 

[sibanac]

Firefox settings are in tools-> options -> general -> connection settings

 

[gmloki]

May or may not be connected. However I had the same problem with Bulldog ADSL package. Run fine for some time then connection would drop. I Noticed that when my internet connection dropped my Hand Held PC connection dropped whilst it was connected via USB. So I swapped a few things around as I have a lot of USB devices. I finally got round to the problem being a faulty USB hub.

I dont know why but the HUB was effecting the other USB ports. Namely with my Ipaq and ADSL USB Modem. Once I removed the HUB connection has remaned constant.

May not be connected but one of a number of possibilites

 

[GotLove]

Hey guys

Just to let you know, I had to format drive anyway, so this prblem has been solved.

Thanks though

Chris

 

[sirin]

Bah that was me up there ^

Silly brother not logging out

Chris