I'm having a port issue I think

[Inchworm]

I've been fubar since about 12-20-08 and I cannot figure out what is happening, so I hope to get solutions from those of you who are actually smart. My brain is fried and I am to the point where I'm considering taking computer in to a real pro. I've never had to do that ever. :P

Here is what's happening.

When I reset connection by resetting modem or, on occasion, by checking a radio button on the connection's general property tab then rechecking it I CAN LOAD a website briefly.

-The computer usually doesn't load it completely before it fails, and I get the "IE cannot display the webpage" message in browser. I am sure it is not cached because, for instance, I can see time and dates a post was made on DU. (I also downloaded Firefox and have same problem. I'd rather use IE. I'm familiar with it)

-HOWEVER, if after resetting I quickly bypass the "webpage type" startup screen on a video game I was testing, I can log on and play all day. All day until I use browser. I've found that the game uses TCP port number 3724 during gameplay. If that means anything :)

I've pretty much determined it is my desktop with the issue because I can plug my laptop up and all seems well connection-wise with it.

I have a ZyXel dsl modem with all the lights normal.

I've tried changing out the wire that leads from modem to computer with the one I've used with laptop.

I've had full installs of Mcafee and PC-cillian Antivirus programs and did complete scans and never found any virus's.

I completely deleted McAfee and PC-cillin using their uninstall software.

I've run Ad-Aware and it basically finds cookies that I delete.

I installed a Linksys NiC card to see if the on-board one may have been bad. Same results. Uninstalled it.

Using ISP tech support we reset IPs using netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt and according to them all was ok. We also used a series of PINGs immediatly after a reset which all worked.

All I can think to add is that I noticed "WAN Miniport- IP, L2TP, PPOE, PPTP" in network adapters of device manager. These may have always been here and I just didn't notice but it has no effect disabling them.

Help! I miss the speakers on main computer. It's what I do all day lol, stream and youtube.

If you have any ideas that I might try before I have to shut it down and start saving coin for a pro, let me know.

"Help me... you're my only hope"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmXxL78l9Kk

Thanks in advance.

:hi:

[liberalpress]

1. I assume you've cleaned out the cache in IE?

[Inchworm]

3. Yes

All but "list of websites I've visited."

temp internet files, cookies, form data, passwords are all deleted.

[Duer 157099]

2. Do you use automatic updates for windows?

and which version of windows are you using?

12/20 sounds about the time a big batch of windows updates came out and ruined everyone's life.

Could it be related to that?

[Inchworm]

4. I never did

It was a little while before that that I upgraded to SP3 though. (1-2 weeks)

:shrug:

[Duer 157099]

5. So right now, auto updates is not on, right?

I wouldn't be surprised if SP3 toggled that setting, have you checked?

If you go to Start > Run > services.msc

check the list of services that are running - is Auto Updates on?

If so, that is still just the beginning of troubleshooting, but it's a start.

Also, so you have a firewall of some sort (hardware via router, or software?)

[Inchworm]

6. Automatic Updates was started and set to automatic

I disabled it and am rebooting.

Let me know if I shouldn't have disabled it. It looked scary in that window

:)

[Inchworm]

7. I reset modem and tried to access a website

(DU login because I killed the cookies)

And got login page 1/2 loaded. Same problem

Rechecked automatic updates using your method in case.. it remains disabled and is not started.

x(

[Duer 157099]

8. OK - well, the question about Auto Updates had to do with...

whether your puter might have automatically updated in December and one of those updates might be causing the problem.

So, disabling it now would not resolve it. It was a question to determine if, perhaps, a recent update might be causing the problem (as I suspect it might)

[Inchworm]

12. I'll reenable it and turn off/on normally

thanks though.

:grr:

[PennDem]

9. Did your ISP have you try resetting your Winsock catalog?

Most Internet connection problems are related to corrupt Winsock settings. Windows sockets settings can get corrupted due to the installation of networking software, malware/virus infestation or removal of spyware/malware/virus with security software. You are still able to connect to the internet, but the packets won't transfer back and forth. Errors such as "Page cannot be displayed" commonly occur.

To repair and reset the Windows Vista Winsock:
Open a Command Prompt.
Type "netsh winsock reset" at the command prompt and then press the Enter.
Restart the computer.

To repair and reset the Windows XP Winsock:
Open a Command Prompt.
Type "netsh winsock reset catalog" at the Command Prompt and then press the Enter.
Restart the computer.

These reset commands reset the Winsock Catalog to a default configuration.

[Inchworm]

11. They did not, and I just reset them

same problem :(

[liberalpress]

10. Every six months or so

(My wife says it is because I'm insane) I just blow up my computers and start all over. Get your Windows CD, stick it in the drive, boot from it and reformat and reload. It is either a router problem (if you have one) or a software problem.

[Inchworm]

13. I did that all the way up to XP

This one now has hella stuff on it that I know I'll lose parts of no matter how hard I try to backup

:D

[PennDem]

14. Have you tried it in safe mode?

Maybe attempt a system restore to a point before the problem began.

You could also try running the system file checker utility.
Click "Start">"Run" then type "sfc /scannow". You may need to have your Windows disk onhand to run this tool.

[Inchworm]

16. I haven't tried safe mode... der

I will after your second option performs.

I feel good about this one :D

*crosses fingers*

[PennDem]

20. That should be safe mode with networking

rather than just safe mode

[PennDem]

15. Try starting IE without add-ons

To start IE7 in No Add-ons mode:

1. Right-click on the blue IE desktop icon and select Start without Add-ons.

or

2. Start > (All) Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Internet Explorer(No add-ons).

[Inchworm]

17. I've tried that

nuttin.

Keep 'em coming :D

:)

[PennDem]

18. Did you try resetting IE to defaults

Follow these steps to use the Reset Internet Explorer Settings feature from Internet Explorer 7:
In Internet Explorer 7, click the Tools menu, and then click Internet Options.
On the Advanced tab, click Reset.
In the Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog box, click Reset.
When Internet Explorer 7 finishes restoring the default settings, click Close, and then click OK two times.
Close Internet Explorer 7. The changes take effect the next time that you open Internet Explorer 7.

[PennDem]

19. Another shot in the dark

Try creating a new user account with admin rights, login with it and try IE.

[Inchworm]

22. I did all of your suggestions

It still loads for a second then stops.

I'll not give up yet.

Thanks for all your help!

:yourock:

PS: I'm at work atm and can't try anything, or I would be :D

[mwooldri]

21. Do you have a software based firewall on your computer?

Methinks this might be an issue here, if you have one installed.

To double check this, run a ping test, e.g. ping -t www.google.com (go Start->Run, type "command" and then put this instruction in the command window) - if that works fine then your connection to the outside world is OK through the computer and you can totally rule out anything hardware. Since you can play a game that does connect over the 'net, then I can say your hardware is just fine, including desktop.

Try an experiment here: Try accessing this website: http://research.alibaba.com:8080/index.htm

When you enter www.address.com/ on its own it accesses the website calling Port 80 . If there's a firewall rule totally blocking Port 80 then you won't get any web pages, but if the firewall isn't blocking port 8080 (another common port for webpages to use, especially "underground" ones) then you should be able to see the above page.

It's just an idea to try.

Regards, Mark.

[Inchworm]

23. The pings work

until I try to open a website in browser.

After that the pings lose all 4 packets.

I am at work now but will retry the pings then do what I can to load that webpage. A lot of things have changed since I did the pings so I better redo just to make sure.

Thanks!

:hi:

[PennDem]

24. Check event viewer for errors

Try restarting the DHCP service and see if it generates errors.

Check DHCP dependencies as follows:

Click Start, Run:

Type: CMD /K SC QC DHCP

Verify the output. It should be exactly as below:

GetServiceConfig SUCCESS

SERVICE_NAME: dhcp
TYPE : 20 WIN32_SHARE_PROCESS
START_TYPE : 2 AUTO_START
ERROR_CONTROL : 1 NORMAL
BINARY_PATH_NAME : C:WINDOWSsystem32svchost.exe -k netsvcs
LOAD_ORDER_GROUP : TDI
TAG : 0
DISPLAY_NAME : DHCP Client
DEPENDENCIES : Tcpip
: Afd
: NetBT
SERVICE_START_NAME : LocalSystem


If these settings look OK, I'd concentrate on your DSL modem. I know you said your laptop works with it but you may want to see if there is a firmware update for it.

[Inchworm]

27. Identical

except the missing forward slash in binary path name line.. guessing that was a typo.

Still trying anything.

:)

[PennDem]

25. Can you do a successful nslookup?

Try this after a reboot and before opening your browser.

Reply with the results of...
Start, Run, then type "CMD"
Type "ipconfig /all"

then while still in the command window
Type "ipconfig /flushdns"

again while in the command window
Type "nslookup www.google.com"

Did this command give an error or return an ip address?

If you got an ip address, open your browser and try going to http://www.google.com

If it works, great. If not, type the ip address from the previous step into the url address line and see if you can open Google.

[Inchworm]

26. All was successful until..

I got to the "open browser and try going to ..." step

the browser replied with cannot display webpage screen

When I typed in the numerical ip address it replied with Address not valid screen.

I get this screen sometimes and noticed that when it happens it leaves "http:///" in address line. (note the 3 forward slashes) if that matters.

Thanks.

x(

[Inchworm]

28. NEWSFLASH: OMG! It is now working in safe mode

I am cruising webpages, posting, youtubing with no sound.. 10 minutes now, and it's still letting me use browser.

Everything is HUGE, but it gives me hope.

Any more ideas from the wize? :)

:woohoo:

[Inchworm]

29. List of services "started" in Safe Mode w/networking

I hope this isn't revealing a security breach.. or pron addins or anything. I do hope it helps the wize see errors :rofl:

Computer Browser
Cryptographic Services
DCOM Server Process Launcher
DHCP Client
DNS Client
Event Log
Help and Support
Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service
Logical Disk Manager
Network Connections
Plug and Play
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
Server
System Restore Service
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Terminal Services
Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing
Windows Management Instrumentation
Wireless Zero Configuration
Workstation

All the above are started.
All automatic except Network Connections, and Terminal Services. They were manual.
I set Net. Conn to automatic

All log on as Local System except DNS Client and RPC logging in as Network Service

:shrug:

[Inchworm]

30. List of Services "started" when booting up normal before browser opened

Booting up Normally

Application Layer Gateway Service
Ati Hotkey Poller
COM + Event System
Computer Browser
Cryptographic Services
DCOM Server Process Launcher
DHCP Client
Distributed Link Tracking Client
DNS Client
Error Reporting Service
Event Log
Fast User Switching Compatibility
FTP Publishing
Help and support
IIS Admin
IPSEC Services
Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service
Logical Disk Manager
Machine Debug Manager
Network Connections
Network Location Awareness (NLA)
Plug and Play
Print Spooler
PrismXL
Protected Storage
Remote Access Connection Manager
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
Remote Registry
Secondary Logon
Security Accounts Manager
Security Center
Server
Shell Hardware Detection
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
Simple TCP/IP Services
SNMP Service
SSDP Discovery Service
System Event Notification
System Restore Service
Task Scheduler
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Telephony
Terminal Services
WebClient
Windows Audio
Windows Firewall/Internet connection Sharing (ICS)
Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)
Windows Time
Wireless Zero Configuration
Workstation
World Wide Web Publishing
WPS Scanner Service

All Started before doing anything.
All Automatic except

-Set to Manual-
Application Layer Gateway Service
COM + Event System
Fast User Switching Capability
Network Location Awareness (NLA)
Remote Access Connection Manager
SSDP Discovery Service
Telephony
Terminal Services

All Local System except

-Local Service-
Application Layer Gateway Service
Remote Registry
SSDP Discovery Service
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
WebClient

-Network Service-
DNS Client
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

:)

[Inchworm]

31. List of services "started" that changed after browser opened

I also had to install Word at this point to print the list. That may or may not be what these changes are.

AFTER CONNECTION SHOT (had to install word to save file)

All started in Local System
Themes and Windows Management Instrumentation started in Automatic

Windows Installer started in Manual

:shrug:

What can I safely turn off? Am I looking in the right place to determine the evil thing that's killing connection?

x(

[Duer 157099]

32. imho, you have many unncessary services running

the best site I've found to learn about services, and which I can safely do without, is:

http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

edit to add a link on that site that specifically talks about how to test various configurations:

http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/xpprofiles.htm

[Inchworm]

33. I am of the same opinion now

That's kinda why I posted them. I just learned they were there in this thread.

It seems logical to me that one of those are what is changing the ability to use browser though. I am afraid to just start disabling them.

I'll read up on them via your link.

Thanks!

[PennDem]

34. Well that's good that it works in safe mode

Boot normally, then click Start, Run, type msconfig and hit Enter.

Click the Startup tab and make note of which items are checked.

Click the "Disable All" button and restart.

Try your web browser again. If it works, re-enable the startup items one at a time, rebooting after each and testing your browser until you find the problem program.

[Inchworm]

35. omg! msconfig is my new favorite tool

I'm up to 10min running normally :woohoo:

:yourock:

[Inchworm]

36. Thanks Everyone!!!

I'm baaack! :)

Now if I can just get the courage to reinstall my antivirus stuff. I think I'll take a chance without for a day or two just in case :D

:yourock:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=8391873&mesg_id=8391873