Strange internet problem

[BCTAv8r]

This has nothing much to do with the forums, but it is a tech related question so I thought I'd post it here.

For some strange reason, my browser and email program completely block off the internet near midnight. It started happening about 4 days ago. The previous day I had used the internet without problems and the following day it was no longer working. As a result, I've had to do a system restore to the previous day every single day.

I haven't made any changes to my system besides installing a wireless mouse. Anyone know what could possibly be going on?

[killbilly]

Originally Posted by BCTAv8r

This has nothing much to do with the forums, but it is a tech related question so I thought I'd post it here.

For some strange reason, my browser and email program completely block off the internet near midnight. It started happening about 4 days ago. The previous day I had used the internet without problems and the following day it was no longer working. As a result, I've had to do a system restore to the previous day every single day.

I haven't made any changes to my system besides installing a wireless mouse. Anyone know what could possibly be going on?

1) Define "block off."

2) Is it happening each night, or did it happen four days ago once?

3) Are you getting any kind of specific error?

[BCTAv8r]

Originally Posted by killbilly

1) Define "block off."

2) Is it happening each night, or did it happen four days ago once?

3) Are you getting any kind of specific error?

1)Blocking off as in just that. It is as if something was blocking my browser and email program from connecting to the internet.

2)Every night.

3)Nope. Usually when my internet isn't working, the browser will try to load the page and then it tells me that there is no connectivity. But with this problem, as soon as I open the browser it times out instantly (same with the email program).

[Doug Taylor]

Are you using a firewall? I think with ZoneAlarm, if I remember correctly, has a function where it can shut down your ports at a prescribed time for security.

Are you on a router? Some routers (linksys, for example) have a function where it'll shut down WAN access at certain times.

[pedro]

you can try doing a trace route to kinda determine wether or not its your browser or your internet connection altogether. to do this

start>run>type cmd>

dos prompt will come up

type

tracert anywebsite.com

this will trace the route from your computer to that webserver. It wont tell you what the problem is, but at least it will rule out any ISP issues. If you get any timeouts than it might just be your ISP.

[killbilly]

Originally Posted by BCTAv8r

1)Blocking off as in just that. It is as if something was blocking my browser and email program from connecting to the internet.

2)Every night.

3)Nope. Usually when my internet isn't working, the browser will try to load the page and then it tells me that there is no connectivity. But with this problem, as soon as I open the browser it times out instantly (same with the email program).

When it stops working, are you doing anything to get the connection back, and if so, what are you doing? I'm working on a theory here, but need more info....

...also - are you using dialup, broadband, what? Are you using a router? If so, is it the router you got from the broadband provider or do you have another router on it?

[BCTAv8r]

Originally Posted by pedex

you can try doing a trace route to kinda determine wether or not its your browser or your internet connection altogether. to do this

start>run>type cmd>

dos prompt will come up

type

tracert anywebsite.com

this will trace the route from your computer to that webserver. It wont tell you what the problem is, but at least it will rule out any ISP issues. If you get any timeouts than it might just be your ISP.

I will try that next time the problem comes up.

Originally Posted by killbilly

When it stops working, are you doing anything to get the connection back, and if so, what are you doing? I'm working on a theory here, but need more info....

...also - are you using dialup, broadband, what? Are you using a router? If so, is it the router you got from the broadband provider or do you have another router on it?

The only thing I've done to restore access is to do a full system restore to the previous day.

I'm using Comcast cable and the router was provided by them.

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

Are you using a firewall? I think with ZoneAlarm, if I remember correctly, has a function where it can shut down your ports at a prescribed time for security.

Are you on a router? Some routers (linksys, for example) have a function where it'll shut down WAN access at certain times.

I don't have ZoneAlarm, but I am on a router. It is strange that it should be the case though. Wouldn't someone have to enable that feature?

[killbilly]

Originally Posted by BCTAv8r

I will try that next time the problem comes up.

tracert is going to tell you the path assuming you have a live connection. If you don't have a live connection, tracert isn't going to tell you anything other than "your connection is down." You can achieve the same result by pinging an IP address or domain name from a DOS prompt. It either works or it doesn't.

Before you do ANYTHING else - make sure you have the latest drivers for your network equipment. This includes your NIC and your router and anything else in the mix.

The only thing I've done to restore access is to do a full system restore to the previous day.

The problem you're describing sounds like network voodoo rather than your PC, but I'm not sure.

I'm using Comcast cable and the router was provided by them.

Okay, next time this happens, here is what I would do.

1) Check your cablemodem. Look to see that the right lights are flashing and/or solid. Models vary, so check its behavior when it's running right to get an idea what it should look like. If there are errors there, you've got an ISP problem.

2) Assuming that the cablemodem looks fine, I would next UNPLUG THE POWER FOR 30 SECONDS from the cablemodem. Power it back up.

3) Now - try to ping your router (if you have one in addition to the cablemodem.) Chances are the address is 192.168.1.1 or .1.2. It may be something else though. Got a router? Go to step 4.

If you do NOT have another router, go to a DOS prompt and type "ipconfig." You SHOULD get your public IP address and network settings from the ISP. If the info isn't there, you likely have an ISP/cablemodem problem.

4) If you can ping the router but not out to the net, you have a cablemodem problem or ISP problem. If you cannot ping your router, move to step 5.

5) Get a DOS prompt and ping 127.0.0.1. This is the "self ping" address of your network card. If that works, that tells you that your NIC is transmitting and receiving packets. It's not a full diagnostic, but it helps.

See where I'm going here? You are testing the various components to eliminate stuff that works from stuff that doesn't.

PM me if you want some other assistance. I hope this helps.

[t82]

You really need to give more details about your set up.
Operating system, etc
It will make it a lot easier to trouble shoot.
Or post a pic of the different modems,routers

[BCTAv8r]

Originally Posted by killbilly

tracert is going to tell you the path assuming you have a live connection. If you don't have a live connection, tracert isn't going to tell you anything other than "your connection is down." You can achieve the same result by pinging an IP address or domain name from a DOS prompt. It either works or it doesn't.

Tried it and the first one gives me a "request timed out" message but the others worked fine.

Before you do ANYTHING else - make sure you have the latest drivers for your network equipment. This includes your NIC and your router and anything else in the mix.

Got it.

Okay, next time this happens, here is what I would do.

1) Check your cablemodem. Look to see that the right lights are flashing and/or solid. Models vary, so check its behavior when it's running right to get an idea what it should look like. If there are errors there, you've got an ISP problem.

All the lights are green as they normally are.

2) Assuming that the cablemodem looks fine, I would next UNPLUG THE POWER FOR 30 SECONDS from the cablemodem. Power it back up.

That likely wouldn't help. I probably should have said it earlier, but my dad's laptop picks it up fine and so does my mom's computer in another room.

3) Now - try to ping your router (if you have one in addition to the cablemodem.) Chances are the address is 192.168.1.1 or .1.2. It may be something else though. Got a router? Go to step 4.

If you do NOT have another router, go to a DOS prompt and type "ipconfig." You SHOULD get your public IP address and network settings from the ISP. If the info isn't there, you likely have an ISP/cablemodem problem.

4) If you can ping the router but not out to the net, you have a cablemodem problem or ISP problem. If you cannot ping your router, move to step 5.

5) Get a DOS prompt and ping 127.0.0.1. This is the "self ping" address of your network card. If that works, that tells you that your NIC is transmitting and receiving packets. It's not a full diagnostic, but it helps.

All fine.

See where I'm going here? You are testing the various components to eliminate stuff that works from stuff that doesn't.

PM me if you want some other assistance. I hope this helps.

Thanks for the help so far. I just tried undoing my system restore to the point where it wasn't working this morning and after doing the restore, it worked. Next time I get the problem I am going to try to connect my IM or something else other than my broswer/email client to see if the problem is isolated to that.

[BCTAv8r]

Update: It just did it again but in the middle of the day. I decided to see how far it would go and it was only about 20min.

Instant Messenger did not work either so it is not isolated to email client and browser.

[killbilly]

That likely wouldn't help. I probably should have said it earlier, but my dad's laptop picks it up fine and so does my mom's computer in another room.

Yeah, you should have mentioned that.

From what it sounds like, your machine is dumping the IP configuration for some reason. We need to isolate this to hardware or software. Soooooo....

IMMEDIATELY after the next time it "dies", pull a DOS prompt and type "ipconfig."

Then, go to control panel.
Open Network Connections (you're using XP, right?)
Right click the network card connection
Pick "disable."
Wait for the icon in the systray to show you it's disabled.
Re-enable it.
See what happens.

Drop me a PM when you know.

[BCTAv8r]

I had the problem again. Tried doing all the above but it still didn't work. It came back about 5 minutes later though.

The problem is no longer happening overnight, but randomly at any time. It usually lasts 15-20min. It's only happening once or twice a day so it's no that big of a deal.

Thanks anyways, killbill.

[killbilly]

Strange. If the other computers are able to access and yours isn't, I'd probably get rid of my NIC or just install another one into an available PCI slot and see what happens.

If you're using the on-board NIC to the motherboard, it may be getting flaky.

As a side note, my beloved, hand-built, well-maintained, aging-but-still-fast-as-hell desktop PC ate its hard drive last night. I was heartbroken.