Computer issues...

[badstar]

So....last weekend, we were having some internet issues, pages loading slowly, certain pages not loading correctly, that fun stuff.

I have tried relaunching the browser. Several times.
I have cleared cache, history and cookies
I have tried both firefox and IE- there were one or two sites that worked ok in IE but not in firefox, but otherwise it was all the same.
I have updated java
I have updated and run the anti-spyware (spybot) and removed the problems found, which were few.
I have updated and run the anti-virus (AVG) nothing found.

I just booted into safe mode. Everything but one page (Weebly) loads pretty quickly, though not quite as quickly as they used to. Same with IE, though Weebly's loading in IE.

I rebooted, and stuff is loading quicker than before again in Firefox, though again, not quite as quick as before. For the last few days I couldn't get the weather channel website to load...it's loading now. Same with IE. Once again, Weebly only loads fully in IE.

Okay, so things are running a bit slower than usual, at least one page won't load. I'm running Firefox 2.0.0.18 and IE 6. I haven't updated IE because we don't use it anymore as a general rule, I've just been using it for diagnostic purposes. I haven't updated Firefox to 3 because of a game that Gavin likes to play, but at this point, I'm ready to give it a shot. However, I don't believe that that's the issue.

Just for giggles, I even ran repair on the connection.

The issue is the same whether I've got one tab running or several.

Don't have another computer with which to test things, but it doesn't seem to be a provider issue based on the safe mode thing.

Okay, unfortunately, my extensive troubleshooting experience doesn't include much in the way of Windows. I've got XP pro, SP 1 (I'm not able to update to SP 3, when I try, I get a message that my license has been restricted or something like that- it's been a while since I tried so I don't remember the exact message. This computer was given to me by a former coworker with the OS already loaded.)

So....ideas?

ETA: This is a direct ethernet connection to the modem. There is no network. I just rechecked the physical connections, the one end seemed a bit loose, I reseated it, things are faster now, progress is being made...

Comments

[taqaisenu.livejournal.com]

Uhm, not much to suggest except the usual troubleshooting ideas that you've probably already checked. But --

Recycle power on your router if you are able. (I like to unplug for a very slow count to ten, then plug it back in.) Recycle power on all hubs, routers, modems, everything on your network.

If you are connected to a router, try plugging your computer directly into the modem (if you are able) and see if the same problems still exist.

Check your Internet settings - LAN settings, Internet Properties, even your network card - to make sure that everything is still correct, that you're not using a proxy if you shouldn't (or are if you should).

And also - update and run your Spybot or Adaware (or any other anti-spyware software you may have), and your anti-virus, to make sure there's nothing weird going on in the background that you're not aware of, causing odd things to happen to your Internet connections.

Maybe also check that your hosts file (found under "Windows/System32/Drivers/etc") hasn't been compromised by spyware or a virus or anything, and that it looks kosher.

It's not much, but it may help you narrow down your problem a little bit more.

[fuego.livejournal.com]

it's a direct internet connection, no network to account for but that did make me think to recheck the physical connection and one end was just a bit loose, since I reseated, things have improved a bit...

[tomatoe333.livejournal.com]

BTW, if you can, upgrade to Firefox 3.0.x. More stable, slightly faster, less memory leaks.