Computer prob - intermitent access

[frankieboy 10]

hi peeps,

thought i would put this on its own thred as other has different heading.

I am running an old upgraded computer 98se, (theoretically!) on broadband with bt.

 

i am using a speedtouch external modem via a usb port(?) via a microsoft internet explorer provided by wanadoo - the disc I got with the modem.

 

My net access is intermittent. it works for say a minute/two minutes then cuts off for between 30 secs/1 minute(have timed it - - 1 minute is a long time when youre in the middle of something - clicking constantly, while waiting for it to get 'back on line') this is happening all the time not just with a particular site or at any particular time - is same at 4am

 

the little comuters at bottom of page show bytes in/out - this says info flow is stopped dead, possibly very little trickle occaisionally inward, till flow starts again.

 

any idea's?

 

is very frustrating especially when you send something - you have to remember to check if you are online before you click onto something else or it just disapears into the ether! esp if youve just spend half and hour writing it out or whatever.

 

thanks

[slh73 32]

Has it always been like that while youve had that modem? I know there was a problem with a certain type of modem drawing more power from the PCs USB ports than the ports could provide. The way to fix it was to use a powered USB hub. Not sure what the make and model of modem was though.

[kirky 10]

i had the same problem when i was on AOL i must have spent 5-6 hours on the phone with technical support over a 2 week period and got no where.....eventually i cancelled with them,went on telewest broadband and it never happend since.......this is probably no help to you whatsoever but its the only thing that worked for me.

[alchresearch 214]

The modems are very poor quality, which is why they are free.

 

It may be a good idea to get an internal ADSL modem, or a decent Netgear router.

 

Do you have all your ADSL filters installed correctly? I've heard of a few cases similar to yours and it's been the filters not installed that's been the fault.

[frankieboy 10]

have checked the filter and it seems to be ok.

looks like i shall have to look at getting an internal modem (whats a netgear router? is that what this speed touch thing is?)

[disc0tech 10]

Before you spend any cash, it's worth checking you haven't acquired a worm or virus. Some of the recent worms in the headlines would intermittently disconnect the internet, and/or reboot the PC,

 

You can download AVG's free virus checker at http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/

[frankieboy 10]

hi peeps,

 

ok, still have prob.

 

have scanned with avg and spybot, cleared some viruses/cookies etc but not problem - it froze spybot as it was deleting the 'problems'

 

have tried external asymmetric dsl mega speed usb modem Borrowed it and tried as replacement - same result

 

as a side thought I have my computer running off an extension cable from the main incoming wall phone box - the filter plugged into the end of this - comuter in one hole, phone in the other - can't be this can it? (the phone does have a low level hum to it now that I am connected up - dont know if that is normal)

 

I'm signed on with bt openworld for 12 months so not sure about how to try another provider. (but will phone bt to see what they say lol !!!)

 

Do you still recon I should try an internal modem (I'll have to get someone else to do this for me as its beyond me)

[Martin_s 10]

Try giving BT customer services -> tech support a call and ask them to do a test on your line... it could be that your line has insufficient gain or some other problem that is causing bad data transfer issues.

 

Other things to try would be a different filter.. and/or try yours on a friends line that uses ADSL and see if they have the same issues...

 

Basically it's a case of removing each possible cause until you get down to the actual problem..

 

If you do decide to go for a new modem then I'd spend a fair bit of time looking at what's available and checking for things like support, updates and compatability...

 

Best of luck...

[Martin_s 10]

Originally posted by frankieboy

I'm signed on with bt openworld for 12 months so not sure about how to try another provider. (but will phone bt to see what they say lol !!!)

Missed this until just now...

 

I cannnot stress enough how awful a time I've had with Openwoe when it comes to getting support...

 

My advice would be to seriously consider going with either Virgin or Demon... the latter is more expensive but their support is top notch and a friend of mine recently spent 2 hours on the line with a guy who basically held her hand the whole time while they went through the whole process... The friend in question is not the easiest to provide support for and he not only sorted the problem but also calmed her down... *not worthy*

 

Anyways.. pretty sure OpenWorld don't tie you in with a 12 month contract and you get so long in which to change your mind anyways...

 

Either way, best of luck... lord knows you'll get loads of other suggestions

[alchresearch 214]

Originally posted by frankieboy

as a side thought I have my computer running off an extension cable from the main incoming wall phone box - the filter plugged into the end of this - comuter in one hole, phone in the other - can't be this can it? (the phone does have a low level hum to it now that I am connected up - dont know if that is normal)

 

It depends on the quality of your extension. Your best best is to try and eliminate if that's the cause of the problem by trying your computer directly into the wall phone socket.

[frankieboy 10]

hi peeps,

have installed ms critical updates, downloaded zonealarm, and run AVG, Spybot, Adaware< and Avast.

 

have rung bt (to their credit the guy was helpful) have discovered that i have; iSEARCH search box instead of address bar.

 

have been to control panel / programs /addremove and clicked on it. and it says "it apears to have already been removed do you want to remove the logo from this panel"

when you click it it dissapears.

BUT when you upload internet explorer you are back to square one. when you type in google for example, it take you to the iSEARCH homepage and lists creditcard and porno sites along with a google listing and "not satisfied - try GOOGLE - here" - click that and you're on the google site.

 

Any one know how to get rid of this iSearch so that I can iliminateit as the problem?

thanks

[eviljock 10]

Found these instructions at http://www.spyany.com/program/article_spw_rm_ISearch.html

 

To manually remove it, follow these removal instructions:

 

Close all open Internet Explorer windows.

Click Start > Run, type the following command and click Ok:

 

regsvr32 /u %system%/toolbar.dll (or toolbar_.dll)

 

Note: %system% is a variable, you should replace it with the System folder in your system. By default, this is C:\Windows\System (Windows 95/98/Me), C:\Winnt\System32 (Windows NT/2000), or C:\Windows\System32 (Windows XP).

 

Open Registry Editor (Click Start > Run, type 'regedit' and click Ok).

Delete the following key if present:

 

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\clsid\{1c78ab3f-a857-482e-80c0-3a1e5238a565}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\explorer\browser helper objects\{1c78ab3f-a857-482e-80c0-3a1e5238a565}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\clsid\{1c78ab3f-a857-482e-80c0-3a1e5238a565}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\classes\clsid\{1c78ab3f-a857-482e-80c0-3a1e5238a565}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\internet explorer\toolbar\{1c78ab3f-a857-482e-80c0-3a1e5238a565}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\explorer\browser helper objects\{1c78ab3f-a857-482e-80c0-3a1e5238a565}

 

Reboot the computer.

 

Delete the file toolbar.dll from the System folder( The System folder is inside the Windows folder; it is called 'System32' on Windows NT/2000/XP or just 'System' on Windows 95/98/Me).

They also provide an uninstall control on their website, click the following link to uninstall it:

 

http://toolbar.isearch.com/uninstall