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| Strange browser issues; page loading halts in both IE and FF | |
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| Topic Started: Apr 16 2009, 05:11 PM (749 Views) | |
| Deleted User | Apr 16 2009, 05:11 PM Post #1 |
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So.. I thought at first this was just a connectivity problem with Comcast, since they suck so much ass, but then I realized that didn't seem to be the case and blamed Firefox, but now I've just double checked it with IE and whatever the issue is, it's affecting at least both those browsers. In a nutshell, everything is fine most of the time, but every so often I click on a link or refresh a page and the browser just sits there and I can see by the progress bar that it's not loading. Sometimes this lasts a few seconds, sometimes a long time... I haven't timed it yet, but I'm guessing at least 1 or 2 minutes, and I have broadband. Does it regardless of what page I'm trying to load, and Pandora cuts out too. So, as I said, I assumed it was straight up connection issues at first, but it also does it while I'm playing WoW and/or streaming music on Winamp, or chatting on messenger, and none of these other programs experience even hiccups while the browser is sitting there acting like I've unplugged the cable or asked it to open 300 tabs at once. I'm at a loss, and it's getting to be rather unbearable. Any ideas?  Oh, clearing all cache, history, etc., etc. hasn't done any good, if that helps. |
 
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| FearKiller | Apr 16 2009, 06:25 PM Post #2 |
www.fearkiller.net
  ![]](http://209.85.62.24/static/1/pip_r.png)
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You're on XP correct? I just saw this problem a few days ago with a Windows 2000 machine. I'm stumped with it too. So you're saying that Winamp and chat clients are affected by this too, correct? 1. Is your system low on resources such as memory? 2. Have you rebooted the router, cable modem, and other networking equipment? 3. Tried different networking cables? 4. If you produce a constant ping, does it begin to fail at any point? 5. Recent virus scan on your system? 6. Are there other computers in your network that are experiencing similar issues? 7. If you're on wireless, switch to wired and see if you still experience the problems and vice versa? 8. Try updating your network drivers. 9. Update your router's firmware. 10. Perform "chkdsk /r" and/or "sfc /scannow" 11. Perform a Windows Repair with your Windows CD. 12. Maybe Windows Update. 13. System Restore back to a point where everything was fine. I'll edit this post if I come up with other ideas. Like I said, I'm stumped with this issue as well so I'm kind of shooting fish in a barrel, but it's all worth a shot. Edited by FearKiller, Apr 16 2009, 06:27 PM.
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| Deleted User | Apr 16 2009, 08:23 PM Post #3 |
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No sorry, I should have been clearer. What I meant was, I continue to experience the browser "connection issue" or whatever it is that's happening even while having no connection issues whatsoever with other programs that are running while it's happening. I haven't tried too many to make sure they all work, but the fact that Winamp, WoW, YIM, and Google chat all work normally by themselves, and while both Firefox and IE7 are behaving as though I've either lost connection or locked up lends me to believe it's something rather funky. In case it helps, I will go ahead and address your points though. And yes, I'm using XP Pro (sp3). 1. Is your system low on resources such as memory? - Fairly, yes. I Frankensteined this machine together a couple months ago from parts of 3 others I got for free on craigslist, so it's pretty much a P.O.S. and definitely needs more and better RAM, as it only has 640mb of DDR, but it does most things ok.. Here are some more specs, if you're interested or need a good laugh. 2. Have you rebooted the router, cable modem, and other networking equipment? - Not since I noticed this, no. Didn't occur to me since it's mostly working fine and the things mentioned are always working fine. 3. Tried different networking cables? - No.. same as above. I don't have any other ones either, unfortunately, but maybe I could borrow some. 4. If you produce a constant ping, does it begin to fail at any point? - Er.. I forget how to check that.  5. Recent virus scan on your system? - Always. With several utilities. 6. Are there other computers in your network that are experiencing similar issues? - No. My girlfriend's machine is running through the same cable modem and router. 7. If you're on wireless, switch to wired and see if you still experience the problems and vice versa? - The router is a wireless, but we've always run both our machines wired. 8. Try updating your network drivers. - Er.. You mean Network Adapters > SiS 900 PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter, right? If so, it can't find a newer version. But maybe there's one out there it's not finding..?9. Update your router's firmware. - Did when we got it several months ago. It's an old Microsoft MN-500 we also got for free, from freecycle, and seems to work fine for my girlfriend's PC and my friend's laptop when he comes over and uses the wireless. Don't think it has any updates available that aren't a few years old, so I should have the newest. 10. Perform "chkdsk /r" and/or "sfc /scannow" - I may try that tonight if you still think it worthwhile. 11. Perform a Windows Repair with your Windows CD. - Eh.. same on that one. I have warlock duties to attend to this evening. 12. Maybe Windows Update. - I'm up to date, except for that recent "Printer Inbox Whateverthe$##*" update that didn't seem relevant for me. 13. System Restore back to a point where everything was fine. - Don't remember when everything was fine.  It's been awhile, since like I said, I first thought it was Comcast and figured there was little or nothing I could do about it. |
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| Paper | Apr 17 2009, 09:32 AM Post #4 |
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When did these problems begin? It's better not to go changing drivers and firmware. If these haven't been changed before and after your connection ceased to work correctly, it's only logical that these aren't the problem. You need to think back and try to pin point the date to which the connection stopped working. That these internet problems last a minute or two seem to suggest there is a problem with Comcast. Next time it seems to happen type this into your browser: 209.85.62.21 (It's Zetaboard's domain IP). If you can access it, upon hitting refresh, then there's something wrong with Comcast's DNS server and you should complain. Edited by Paper, Apr 17 2009, 09:37 AM.
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| FearKiller | Apr 17 2009, 02:37 PM Post #5 |
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www.fearkiller.net
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Network drivers do become corrupted which can cause these sorts of problems. They shouldn't be ruled out when troubleshooting any kind of connection issue. Good thinking with the DNS. That could be it if he has it statically set. Phrank mentioned that his girlfriend's PC isn't experiencing any problems. If all computer get DNS info from DHCP via the router, then DNS probably isn't the issue. Regardless, if you want to give changing the DNS servers a try then here are two good and easy to remember DNS servers you can use. 4.2.2.1 4.2.2.2 EDIT 1: Not 100% sure, but I believe this should be the latest version of your network drivers. http://www.sis.com/download/download_step1.php?id=153181 Just check in Device Manager to see if you're at version 1.19. If so, then you already have this version installed. Edited by FearKiller, Apr 17 2009, 02:46 PM.
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| Deleted User | Apr 17 2009, 02:43 PM Post #6 |
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I'm bad with dates at the best of time, and with everything that's been going on with me lately, it's a bit worse, so I really have no idea when it started. Why would a problem with Comcast affect my browser but not the other programs that access the internet though? Doesn't seem to make sense. If anything, it sounds most like a firewall issue to me, but I haven't gotten around to putting one on here so I have the Windows firewall running and don't know anything about it. I suppose I could just disable it for awhile and see if the problem stops.. |
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| FearKiller | Apr 17 2009, 02:49 PM Post #7 |
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Firewalls normally stop programs from working all together. Not slow them done or have them work only half the time, but this is a Microsoft product we're talking about.  Just make sure IE and FF are listed in the exceptions tab in the Firewall configuration. If not, you can add them with the "Add Program" button on that same tab. |
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| Deleted User | Apr 17 2009, 02:50 PM Post #8 |
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Yeah, you never know with Microsoft.. But ZoneAlarm always used to give me strange problems from time to time as well, randomly blocking traffic for allowed programs, so I'd have to shut it down and restart it to fix it.  FF and IE are in fact not listed in the exceptions.. Nor is Winamp or WoW or YIM.. Google Talk is though. So... I could put them all in there, but if Google Talk is the only one in there now, why wouldn't a firewall problem be affecting the others not already in there now. :wacko: You know, I really do hate computers more and more each day. Used to love them, but seriously.. they need to just $##* off and do what they're supposed to!  [edit] Wow.. what the hell, ZB? I had to edit that post 3 times because it screwed the quotes all up.. 
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| FearKiller | Apr 17 2009, 03:28 PM Post #9 |
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Interesting. I have FF and IE in mine. As well as several other programs. For troubleshooting purposes, lets turn Windows Firewall off for now. Your router will act as a firewall as well so don't think that you'll be completely open to attack by doing this. Software firewall is just extra security when you're on your own LAN. If the problem still continues, then we can rule out Windows Firewall completely. |
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| Deleted User | Apr 17 2009, 04:42 PM Post #10 |
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Yeah, I figured the router was probably good enough just on its own, which is why I haven't bothered replacing the Windows firewall, even though I've heard it's not that great. Anyway, I will disable it and go about my business for a day or two and see what happens and then post back. Thanks, guys.  So, to update, I disabled the firewall and I've still had the problem occur twice.
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| Paper | Apr 21 2009, 07:19 PM Post #11 |
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What virus software are you using? It isn't Norton is it, by any chance? And you didn't try to uninstall Norton at any point? |
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| FearKiller | Apr 22 2009, 04:07 PM Post #12 |
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www.fearkiller.net
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Just another thought. How about updating Java and Flash to the most latest versions. As well as anything else that both IE and FF would use. It's worth a shot. Maybe start IE without add-ons or Firefox's Safe Mode option and see if it still occurs. |
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| Dale | Apr 24 2009, 07:23 AM Post #13 |
TeleArena Gold
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Windows XP has a new "bad" habit : to "call home" = connect via Internet back to the Microsoft servers without asking for your permission ! (Thats the number 1 reason I disabled it and the clock feature, a router is your best bet for a firewall) It starts already at the end of the installation of the operating system, where it tries to connect via the Internet to Microsoft "to obtain latest updates". Example : Double-click in your taskbar on the clock : to display the properties of "Date and Time", select the tab : "Internet Time" : By default, Microsoft configures your XP-system to "automatically synchronize with an Internet time server", using a Microsoft time server. To avoid such uncontrolled Internet connections, disable this synchronization. Windows will also connect sometimes back to Microsoft to check "for Windows Updates". Unluckily, the build-in XP Firewall only allows to control incoming "calls", it doe not allow to control programs running on your system making an outgoing "calls" onto the Internet. To control outgoing "calls", you need to disable the XP Firewall and install another Firewall, like for example ZoneAlarm. I would also d/load malwarebytes and run that, great free program. |
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| Deleted User | Jul 23 2009, 08:02 PM Post #14 |
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Wow, it's been awhile. Life's been crazy, so I've been ignoring this, but it's been acting up a lot again, so.. Anyway, I tried everything suggested so far, and I checked the network driver info and have 2.0.1039.1190 installed. I noticed something recently that I hadn't before for some reason, which is that when this problem occurs, I can go into task manager and see a certain generic svchost.exe - NETWORK SERVICE is running with a CPU usage of a fairly consistent 50 or so.. If I do an End Task on it, the problem seems to go away and all hung pages proceed to load normally. Seems like that's important. But if I recall, the problem may return later even though that service doesn't appear to have restarted itself, and then there's no task for me to end, until after the next time I reboot.  Maybe I'll try Process Explorer next time it happens and see if I can get it pinned down any more... |
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| Deleted User | Jul 27 2009, 02:11 AM Post #15 |
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Here's a screenie, if it helps:
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