| Author |
Message |
wpk
Guest
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 Posted:
Fri Dec 24, 2004 5:37 pm Post subject:
Unstable dial-up connection |
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I am having a problem when I access the internet. I am using a dial-up
internal modem (USR) to access the internet. I receive a lot of " can not
access this page" views, and when I try to go to another page, the same thing
happens. Sometimes the dial-up will go fine for a good while, and then it
will stop trying to find the next page. Then the same old "can not access
this page" comes up again. Could this be a memory problem? I have 256mb of
ram. This has just started in the last few months. I have all the latest
updates from Windows update. I replaced the modem 2 weeks ago. The last
modem every once in a while would have a window pop up saying to notify
Microsoft about the problem. And when it did that, it would drop the line.
So the new modem is doing the same thing without the pop-up window for
Microsoft error logging.
Thanks |
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Malke
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Dec 24, 2004 7:40 pm Post subject:
Re: Unstable dial-up connection |
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wpk wrote:
| Quote: | I am having a problem when I access the internet. I am using a
dial-up
internal modem (USR) to access the internet. I receive a lot of " can
not access this page" views, and when I try to go to another page, the
same thing
happens. Sometimes the dial-up will go fine for a good while, and
then it
will stop trying to find the next page. Then the same old "can not
access
this page" comes up again. Could this be a memory problem? I have
256mb of
ram. This has just started in the last few months. I have all the
latest
updates from Windows update. I replaced the modem 2 weeks ago. The
last modem every once in a while would have a window pop up saying to
notify
Microsoft about the problem. And when it did that, it would drop the
line. So the new modem is doing the same thing without the pop-up
window for Microsoft error logging.
Thanks
|
This can be caused by a couple of things: malware or a bad phone line.
You've already determined that the modem is good because you replaced
it. I would definitely start by ensuring your computer is 100%
malware-free (instructions follow). Then, after you've done all that,
if you are still having problems try connecting to a different phone
jack. Change out the cable. Think about what changed, like if you
stepped on the cable or moved the computer to a different part of the
room and are using a longer cable. But it is best practice to start by
knowing the computer is clean:
1) Scan in Safe Mode with current version (not earlier than 2003)
antivirus using updated definitions.
2) Remove spyware with Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-aware. These
programs are free, so use them both since they complement each other.
There is a new version of CWShredder from Intermute. I would not
install the other Intermute programs, however. Alternately, there are
CoolWebSearch malware removal steps at SilentRunners.
Be sure to update these programs before running, and it is a good idea
to do virus/spyware scans in Safe Mode. Make sure you are able to see
all hidden files and extensions (View tab in Folder Options).
HijackThis is an excellent tool to discover and disable hijackers, but
it requires expert skill. See below for HijackThis links. A combination
of HijackThis and About:Buster works well in removing the About:Blank
homepage hijacker. Again, this is an expert tool and novices should get
help with it.
3) If you are running Windows ME or XP, you should disable/enable System
Restore because malware will be in the Restore Points. With ME, you
must disable System Restore completely. With XP, you can delete all but
the most recent (presumably clean) System Restore point from the More
Options section of Disk Cleanup (Run>cleanmgr).
4) Make sure you've visited Windows Update and applied all security
patches. Do not install driver updates from Windows Update.
5) Run a firewall.
Links to help with malware:
Software/Methods:
http://www.safer-networking.org - Spybot Search & Destroy
http://www.lavasoftusa.com - Ad-aware
http://www.majorgeeks.com - good download site
http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html
http://www.silentrunners.org/sr_cwsremoval.html. - SilentRunners
HijackThis:
http://www.aumha.org/a/hjttutor.htm - HijackThis tutorial by Jim
Eshelman
http://spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5 - Spyware Warrior HijackThis
forum
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/
http://forums.tomcoyote.org/
http://www.spywareinfo.com/forums/
General:
http://forum.aumha.org/ - look under "Security" for various forums
http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm - The Parasite Fight
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm
Malke
--
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!" |
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wpk
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Dec 24, 2004 10:05 pm Post subject:
Re: Unstable dial-up connection |
|
|
I am using XP. I also have the latest Norton updates with anti-virus &
internet security software. I am also using Windows firewall. I have the
latest XP-SP2 update installed. Unless this SP2 update is causing a problem.
I will do what you suggest and see what happens.
Thanks again
"Malke" wrote:
| Quote: | wpk wrote:
I am having a problem when I access the internet. I am using a
dial-up
internal modem (USR) to access the internet. I receive a lot of " can
not access this page" views, and when I try to go to another page, the
same thing
happens. Sometimes the dial-up will go fine for a good while, and
then it
will stop trying to find the next page. Then the same old "can not
access
this page" comes up again. Could this be a memory problem? I have
256mb of
ram. This has just started in the last few months. I have all the
latest
updates from Windows update. I replaced the modem 2 weeks ago. The
last modem every once in a while would have a window pop up saying to
notify
Microsoft about the problem. And when it did that, it would drop the
line. So the new modem is doing the same thing without the pop-up
window for Microsoft error logging.
Thanks
This can be caused by a couple of things: malware or a bad phone line.
You've already determined that the modem is good because you replaced
it. I would definitely start by ensuring your computer is 100%
malware-free (instructions follow). Then, after you've done all that,
if you are still having problems try connecting to a different phone
jack. Change out the cable. Think about what changed, like if you
stepped on the cable or moved the computer to a different part of the
room and are using a longer cable. But it is best practice to start by
knowing the computer is clean:
1) Scan in Safe Mode with current version (not earlier than 2003)
antivirus using updated definitions.
2) Remove spyware with Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-aware. These
programs are free, so use them both since they complement each other.
There is a new version of CWShredder from Intermute. I would not
install the other Intermute programs, however. Alternately, there are
CoolWebSearch malware removal steps at SilentRunners.
Be sure to update these programs before running, and it is a good idea
to do virus/spyware scans in Safe Mode. Make sure you are able to see
all hidden files and extensions (View tab in Folder Options).
HijackThis is an excellent tool to discover and disable hijackers, but
it requires expert skill. See below for HijackThis links. A combination
of HijackThis and About:Buster works well in removing the About:Blank
homepage hijacker. Again, this is an expert tool and novices should get
help with it.
3) If you are running Windows ME or XP, you should disable/enable System
Restore because malware will be in the Restore Points. With ME, you
must disable System Restore completely. With XP, you can delete all but
the most recent (presumably clean) System Restore point from the More
Options section of Disk Cleanup (Run>cleanmgr).
4) Make sure you've visited Windows Update and applied all security
patches. Do not install driver updates from Windows Update.
5) Run a firewall.
Links to help with malware:
Software/Methods:
http://www.safer-networking.org - Spybot Search & Destroy
http://www.lavasoftusa.com - Ad-aware
http://www.majorgeeks.com - good download site
http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html
http://www.silentrunners.org/sr_cwsremoval.html. - SilentRunners
HijackThis:
http://www.aumha.org/a/hjttutor.htm - HijackThis tutorial by Jim
Eshelman
http://spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5 - Spyware Warrior HijackThis
forum
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/
http://forums.tomcoyote.org/
http://www.spywareinfo.com/forums/
General:
http://forum.aumha.org/ - look under "Security" for various forums
http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm - The Parasite Fight
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm
Malke
--
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
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Chuck
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Dec 25, 2004 2:03 pm Post subject:
Re: Unstable dial-up connection |
|
|
On Fri, 24 Dec 2004 04:37:06 -0800, wpk <wpk@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
| Quote: | I am having a problem when I access the internet. I am using a dial-up
internal modem (USR) to access the internet. I receive a lot of " can not
access this page" views, and when I try to go to another page, the same thing
happens. Sometimes the dial-up will go fine for a good while, and then it
will stop trying to find the next page. Then the same old "can not access
this page" comes up again. Could this be a memory problem? I have 256mb of
ram. This has just started in the last few months. I have all the latest
updates from Windows update. I replaced the modem 2 weeks ago. The last
modem every once in a while would have a window pop up saying to notify
Microsoft about the problem. And when it did that, it would drop the line.
So the new modem is doing the same thing without the pop-up window for
Microsoft error logging.
Thanks
|
This reminds me of an ongoing problem I used to have with my Earthlink dialup
service years ago, and the problem was neither the modem, the phone line, nor
spyware - it was the Earthlink DNS servers.
The next time this happens:
From a command window:
1) Ping www.yahoo.com.
2) Ping 66.94.230.33.
Report success / exact text of error messages.
From your browser:
3) Browse www.yahoo.com.
4) Browse 66.94.230.33.
Report success / exact text of error messages.
--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing. |
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XPUSER
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Dec 25, 2004 2:39 pm Post subject:
Re: Unstable dial-up connection |
|
|
"wpk" <wpk@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:9A15E3FF-52E2-44EB-A59D-DB0EE6FD3BF5@microsoft.com...
| Quote: | I did a Ping from the "Run" command which showed: request timed out.
This after I started getting "can not display page" error, and everything
slows down on the internet. I had the modem phone cable plugged into a surge
connector, but I bypassed it now. I was hoping that would be the problem,
but no.
"Chuck" wrote:
On Fri, 24 Dec 2004 04:37:06 -0800, wpk <wpk@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
I am having a problem when I access the internet. I am using a dial-up
internal modem (USR) to access the internet. I receive a lot of " can not
access this page" views, and when I try to go to another page, the same thing
happens. Sometimes the dial-up will go fine for a good while, and then it
will stop trying to find the next page. Then the same old "can not access
this page" comes up again. Could this be a memory problem? I have 256mb of
ram. This has just started in the last few months. I have all the latest
updates from Windows update. I replaced the modem 2 weeks ago. The last
modem every once in a while would have a window pop up saying to notify
Microsoft about the problem. And when it did that, it would drop the line.
So the new modem is doing the same thing without the pop-up window for
Microsoft error logging.
Thanks
This reminds me of an ongoing problem I used to have with my Earthlink dialup
service years ago, and the problem was neither the modem, the phone line, nor
spyware - it was the Earthlink DNS servers.
The next time this happens:
From a command window:
1) Ping www.yahoo.com.
2) Ping 66.94.230.33.
Report success / exact text of error messages.
From your browser:
3) Browse www.yahoo.com.
4) Browse 66.94.230.33.
Report success / exact text of error messages.
--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
=========================================== |
Assuming that this is not a virus / spyware issue -
Give this a try -
1. Boot to Safe Mode and log on as the most often used Computer Administrator type
account -
(If only choice is between Administrator and Owner, choose Owner)
A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=315222
If the F8 key does not produce the Advanced Options menu so that you can choose
Safe Mode, then you can use the BOOT.INI tab in System Configuration Utility
{MSCONFIG} but the /SAFEBOOT check box will have to be cleared again in order
to be able to boot back to Normal mode.
2. Once in Safe Mode do all of the following:
Open System Configuration Utility (START > RUN > msconfig) and verify that it is
set to "Normal Startup - load all device drivers and services"
If it is already in "Normal Startup - load all device drivers and services" then just
click
"Cancel" at the bottom. If not, then set it to "Normal Startup - load all device
drivers
and services" and then click on "Apply" and then "Close" and then "Exit Without
Restart"
Open Control Panel | Internet Options | General tab -
Delete all cookies
Delete all temporary Internet files
(include all offline content)
Remove all Downloaded Program Files that are not identifiable with your Anti Virus
Program. To do that, you click on that "settings" button and then click on the "View
Objects" button and then right click and choose remove/delete for all of them, if any,
one at a time.
(Some of them may not remove. Don't worry about that.)
Close the Downloaded Program Files window,
Click OK to the Settings window.
Click on the Clear History button and click Yes to doing so
Now click on the "Advanced" tab at the top of Internet Options.
In the Browsing section, uncheck the box for
"Enable third-party browser extensions (requires restart)"
Click "Apply" and then "OK" at the bottom of Internet Options
Close out of Control Panel
Open Windows Explorer by right clicking on My Computer and then clicking on
Explore -
Navigate to and rename C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts to oldhosts
(This is done by right clicking on hosts and choosing Rename and then typing in
oldhosts and then pressing Enter)
Delete all files in C:\WINDOWS\prefetch folder
Close Windows Explorer
3. Restart the computer to Normal Mode:
4. START > RUN > services.msc
DNS Client service should have a Startup Type of Automatic and the Status should be
started -
If not then need to set it as such by double clicking on it to get the Properties -
If already Automatic and Started - try stopping it and then starting it again -
Close services.msc
5. Try browsing with your Dial-Up connection again. |
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wpk
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Dec 25, 2004 2:39 pm Post subject:
Re: Unstable dial-up connection |
|
|
I did a Ping from the "Run" command which showed: request timed out.
This after I started getting "can not display page" error, and everything
slows down on the internet. I had the modem phone cable plugged into a surge
connector, but I bypassed it now. I was hoping that would be the problem,
but no.
"Chuck" wrote:
| Quote: | On Fri, 24 Dec 2004 04:37:06 -0800, wpk <wpk@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
I am having a problem when I access the internet. I am using a dial-up
internal modem (USR) to access the internet. I receive a lot of " can not
access this page" views, and when I try to go to another page, the same thing
happens. Sometimes the dial-up will go fine for a good while, and then it
will stop trying to find the next page. Then the same old "can not access
this page" comes up again. Could this be a memory problem? I have 256mb of
ram. This has just started in the last few months. I have all the latest
updates from Windows update. I replaced the modem 2 weeks ago. The last
modem every once in a while would have a window pop up saying to notify
Microsoft about the problem. And when it did that, it would drop the line.
So the new modem is doing the same thing without the pop-up window for
Microsoft error logging.
Thanks
This reminds me of an ongoing problem I used to have with my Earthlink dialup
service years ago, and the problem was neither the modem, the phone line, nor
spyware - it was the Earthlink DNS servers.
The next time this happens:
From a command window:
1) Ping www.yahoo.com.
2) Ping 66.94.230.33.
Report success / exact text of error messages.
From your browser:
3) Browse www.yahoo.com.
4) Browse 66.94.230.33.
Report success / exact text of error messages.
--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
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