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Need help please with internet/network problems!

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19 replies

by greenleaf24

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Ok, whenever i try to download files from any device with internet capabilites such as my xbox 360, laptop, and either of my desktops, they do not complete. The files will start downloading to a certain percentage, then just completely stop. On my desktop i found that if i start downloading the file, wait until it stops, click cancel, then re-download it, it will start off wherever it left off. So i do those steps multiple times to download the files on my pc. But on my xbox i cannot do that. This problems also affects my ability to stream videos such as youtube clips. The streaming will just stop after a few seconds of playback, then i have to click on the time line to restart streaming. I dont know if this is a firewall/security problem or if my network configuration is not correct. I am using Brighthouse Internet Service with a Belkin G Wireless Router for my wireless netowrk. And i have tried using Cat5e cables to try a wired connection, but still the same problem. My friend told me that i need to open up a port or something, but i have no idea how to do that. This problem is very annoying since i cannot download large files when i am away, because i have to keep canceling and re-downloading then every 20 seconds. Any help will be much appreciated. Thank You.

19 replies

by robo_dev

As a test:

Find out the IP of your primary DNS server (ipconfig /all at command prompt).

Ping it continuously while attempting a download, e.g.:

ping -t <--insert IP address here

if your pinging stops (times out) during file transfer, then you may need to call your ISP to check for a bad cable drop or other cabling problems.

Your cable modem has a 'sync' light. Is it staying on all the time?

by greenleaf24

I dont know if i'm using DSL or Cable for internet but my internet modem has the following lights:

Battery: Solid light all the time
Telephone 1/2: never lit
Link: Always blinking
Online: always solid light
US/DS: Solid light
Power: Solid light

by greenleaf24

The host computer is my mom's and she uses Windows Vista. So i dont even know how to bring up command prompt because ialways use Windows xp. I know that probably sounds noobish, but if you can explain a little more on how to do that ping thing, it would be great. Thank you.

by skdtech

Your ISP may be throttling your bandwidth. Does the problem happen with all file downloads or does it only happen with large downloads? Other than that possibility I agree that the most likely cause is your modem going bad. I had one that was intermittently bad and would drop the signal every so often and had to end up replacing it.

by greenleaf24

The pinging just kept on going but the downloading file just stopped.

by patb071

Right-click on my computer select manage, select event viewer and check and see if you are seeing any errors under either applications or system. If so what are the errors.

by robo_dev

goto www.dslreports.com and choose tests. The speed tests and line quality tests may show that something odd is going on with your circuit.

You mentioned that you use 'Brighthouse'...that's a cable company, so I would guess that you have a cable modem.

You mentioned a Wireless router. Are all the deviecs that you download with connected via wireless? In other words, is your PC plugged into the back of the wireless router with an ethernet cable? Or is everything wireless?

by greenleaf24

because i've noticed that my xbox keeps getting Disconnected and so does my wow character when i used to play WoW. so it might be the signal just dropping. Thanks

by greenleaf24

i tried pinging google anf after the 4th line of text it read "Request Timed Out" then started to retry

by robo_dev

Go to Start menu -> Programs -> Accessories -> Run and type cmd

from there it is the same as XP.

by greenleaf24

Ok when i go to Event Viewer the follow shows:

Critical
+Error
+Warning
+Information
+Audit Success
+Audit Failure

When i click the Error tab the following shows:

Google Toolbar - Application
ACPI - System
cdrom - system
CAPI2 - Application
VSS Application
Volsnap - System
Windows Updates - system
Print - System
SidebySide- Application
Print - System
ESENT- Application
Application Error - Application
Application Hang - Application
Application Error - Application
Search - Application
Search - Application
Search - Application
Search - Application
Search - Application
Search - Application
Windows Backup - Application
Servicing - System
Servicing - System
Event System - Application
McLogEvent - Application
McLogEvent - Application
EventLog - System
Service Control Event Log Manager - System
Bowser - System
System Restore - Application
VSS - Application
VSS - Application
System Restore - Application
TomTom Home - Application
MsiInstaller - Application
DistributedCOM - System
DistributedCOM- System
MsiInstaller - Application
MsiInstaller - Application
MsiInstaller - Application
VSS - Application
VSS - Application
VSS - Application

by greenleaf24

The dls tests didnt show anything abnormal. My download speed wass in the 600 kbs and my upload was in the 400s.

So do i have cable or DSL for internet? i always thought it was dsl, but then again there is currently no active phone landlines in my house.

And i have a desktop that is connected wirelessly, a laptop that is wireless that i also tried using a Cat5e cable with, and an xbox360 that is wired.

by greenleaf24

Ok I tried going into Command Promt to ping Google and after a few short seconds "Request Timed Out"

by greenleaf24

It usually only happens to larger files, because it downloads for about 15 secs which is enough to finish most small files, but even then it sometimes stops short.

by mike

From everything I have read it almost sounds like you have a line quality issue. This would cause your files to stop and get disconnected from the internet.

One of the best things you can do in a situation like this is to reset your internet modem. On the back there should be a reset button that you can hold down for 10 seconds. It will require a paper clip or small pen. I am pretty sure you will have a reset button. You have a unit with battery backup. Look slow and look all over. You'll find it. When you do hold down the button for 10 seconds. you will notice all your lights will start to blink.
(resetting your modem will not do any harm to your computer or any equipment and is completly safe to do.)

This does a couple of things for you. 1 - it re-downloads your configuration settings for the modem. These often get corrupted and cause alot of issues. IP's get changed and the modem never gets the config file so its routing tables are old.
2 - its just like restarting your computer. It clears and frees RAM.

Also while you are doing this it is a good idea to power cycle your router. Just unplug it from power for a good 2 minuets then plug the power back in.

Now lets talk about your actual connection type. Someone mentioned your ISP might be cable.

If this is the case your 600KB down is HORRIBLE for cable. You have a line issue.
If you have DSL, this is not bad but there might be a line issue somewhere. DSL runs off old telephone technology and alot of things can cause interferance with signal. If you have DSL just post back a reply to this here and I'll get an email. I'll list all the things that can cause problems with DSL.

Now back to cables internet. This is real easy to tell. Look at the back of your modem. Do you have a cable going to your modem that looks like the cable that gives you a TV (must screw the cable into the modem)? If yes - you have cable. If no, you have DSL. DSL is identified by a regular phone jack that plugs in.

Now lets get to fixing your cable connection (assuming you have cable internet and not DSL. Again, post and let me know what you have I can give further explantions if you need.)
Since you have 600KB down for a internet connection utilizing cable technology and the above suggestions did not work (removing power from router and resetting the modem) I would suggest calling your ISP (internet service provider) and doing some trouble shooting with them. Some key questions to ask are -
Is my signal strength normal?

by greenleaf24

Thank you for the simplified, yet detailed help. And yes, it appears i do have cable internet (for almost 2 years now i've thought i had DSL lol). So far since i restarted my modem, everything seems to be running a lot smoother, but i call Brighthouse just to make sure. Thank you again.

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