Greetings my favorites geeks!!
Lately I'm getting a LOT of time-outs when trying to load internet websites. I get PROBLEM LOADING PAGE and CONNECTION TIMED OUT. Then when I refresh the page, it sometimes will finally load, but not always. Mostly the pages just stall when trying to load. I always know there's going to be a problem when the text at the bottom of the screen says "Looking for ...." instead of "Connecting to ..."!!!!
The websites are varied and have no commonality. It's not a firewall issue. We have the latest modem model, the latest router and a good high speed DSL. There ARE two other computers using the same connection via wireless routers ... and they are gamers ... could their computers be using up all the bandwidth? They've both been connected for years now, tho, so I can't imagine why suddenly this would be a problem.
My older son says it's the internet provider's problem between them and our house since DSL is through the phone lines. Both my sons know enough about computers and the internet to be dangerous! Just like me.
We are using WinXP.
What should we check? What the diagnosis?
Thanks for your help as always!
Marci
Hey Marci - I am guessing the computer in question is hard wired to the router and that neither of the other two computers is experiencing similar issues??
We need to know which browser you are using; Internet Explorer (6,7,8), Firefox, etc?
Sharing bandwidth can certainly cause these types of issues but if you have good high speed DSL and it has all worked well previously it seems unlikely in your case. Just check with the other two users if they have changed their habits recently; e.g. regularly playing [i:1v3bgaxu]online [/i:1v3bgaxu]games or something similar. The best way to eliminate that possibility altogether, of course, would be to get the other users to cease all internet activity for a short period while you browse and see if it makes any difference.
Have you tried power cycling the router? That just means, switch it off for around 3 to 5 minutes and then switch it back on again.
The most common causes of browser issues are; malware, incompatible add-ons and lack of cleaning. We won't worry about the possibility of malware right now and eliminate the other two first.
1) Do you regularly clean up temp files, browsing history, cache, etc? If not, I suggest you start by doing just that.
2) Try starting the browser with all add-ons disabled. If Internet Explorer; Go to [b:1v3bgaxu]Start All ProgramsAccessoriesSystem Tools[/b:1v3bgaxu] and click on [b:1v3bgaxu]Internet Explorer (No Add-ons)[/b:1v3bgaxu]. Now just browse as normal for a period of time and see if the problem persists.
Try those things first Marci. If nothing improves we shall have to look into other possibilities, including malware.
Cheers.....JIM
Hey Jim!
Well, all the computers [four of them] are getting connection via wireless router ... I think. I'll ask hubby when he gets home and edit this post if needed on that. No one else has complained of time outs or stalls ... only of SLOW CONNECTION....but that's perpetual for them....they want everything NOW and FAST. OY.
Using Firefox 3.5.6. Speaking of which, how do I stop that darn thing from automatically downloading and installing the 'latest version' WITHOUT MY PERMISSION!!! ANNOYING!
My two gamer sons have been OFF their computers today and so far I have not NOTICED any TIME OUTS or STALLS, but that doesn't mean that is the problem. Yesterday I noticed STATIC on the phone line all day long as well. Would that affect the internet connection since it's DSL? No static today either. Will continue to monitor.
Yes I regularly clean files, delete files, run anti virus, anti spyware, run firewall 24/7, etc. If it was malware or add-ons, wouldn't it happen every time I try to access the internet, not just here and there, now and again?
Ok, that's all for now. Will keep monitoring internet loading, etc. and keep you posted.
Marci
Hey Marci - If you have 4 machines sharing bandwidth, my guess would be you are going to experience these issues periodically. When 3 or 4 of them are connected and using the net simultaneously....even with good high speed DSL.
My home has just two machines connected. My computer via hard wire and the 'she who must be obeyed's' machine via wireless. My DSL plan gives me speed of maximum 1.5mbps. The wife is not on the net all that often (she mostly plays offline games) but when she is on, I do notice the difference. When we have one of the older grand kids staying with laptop in tow and they also connect wirelessly, if all three of us are using simultaneously there is a BIG difference.
Exactly what is the maximum speed of your 'good high speed DSL'??
Only other thing worth mentioning with DSL; there should be a filter connected to every phone in the house. EVERY phone line, not just the one which is connecting to the modem/router.
Cheers now....JIM
[b:3n5oy26d][i:3n5oy26d]"Using Firefox 3.5.6. Speaking of which, how do I stop that darn thing from automatically downloading and installing the 'latest version' WITHOUT MY PERMISSION!!! ANNOYING!"[/i:3n5oy26d]
[/b:3n5oy26d]
In Firefox, go to [b:3n5oy26d]ToolsOptions[/b:3n5oy26d] and click on the [b:3n5oy26d]Advanced[/b:3n5oy26d] tab (across the top) and then on the [b:3n5oy26d]Update[/b:3n5oy26d] tab. Under "When updates to Firefox are found", disable the option to "Automatically download and install the update".
[b:3n5oy26d][i:3n5oy26d]"Yesterday I noticed STATIC on the phone line all day long as well. Would that affect the internet connection since it's DSL"[/i:3n5oy26d][/b:3n5oy26d]
Yes it definitely could. If that is a regular/common occurrence you may need to contact your telephone service provider for a solution.
Updated information!
All our computers are hard wired to the router, according to hubby.
AND we have a 'dedicated phone line' for the internet, according to hubby.
SO, the static on the line theory is OUT.
Both boys are not at home today so we'll see how it goes! So far, so good.
Marci
UPDATE 2.08.10: One kid was home this morning downloading like crazy and I began getting time outs and stalls. SO, I believe THAT is it, bandwidth gamer hogs living in my house. Anyway to fix this? All we can get out here in the sticks in DSL [ok satellite, but I'd rather not go there!]. Let's see, I could kick the adult children out of the house ... might create more problems ... make them get their own connections? ... hrm, there's a thought. Well, at least now that I know what I *think* is the cause, I can find a way around it. THANKS Jim!!!
They make routers that let you define QOS (Quality of Service) which lets you prioritize traffic. However, these are not cheap and do require some know-how to get up and running.
You mentioned downloading -- If you're noticing a lot of torrent traffic from the other computers, every good torrent software program has bandwidth limitations that you can set. Set these nice and low and you might notice better results.
I've killed our internet downloading things in the past.
One other note -- try another browser when Firefox starts acting up. If the problem follows the different browser it's a network issue, if the problem vanishes with the new browser than you are most likely looking at a bad plug-in / browser setup.
--Zig
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