Lose capability to surf after 10 minutes

Also go to start<control panel<switch to classic view< power options     and make sure everything is set in a way that makes sense.  Sometimes power management settings can cause a similar problem.  It is worth taking a look just to be sure.

First possibility, it could easily be your motorola wireless router and/or your cable modem.  I have found that the NAT state table in Moto wireless routers is not big enough for heavy loads.  If you are running an app that uses lots of open TCP connects or heavy UDP bursts, such as most P2P apps or VoIP, then you can quickly overload the NAT state table in your devices - especially the wireless Moto box.  I have found that a little more money gets a lot more performance and security - check out some of the true firewall boxes, such as the D-link DFL-200 - its well worth the extra $100.

Second possibility, cable modem companies have issues with changing MAC addresses behind the cable modems.

I had a very similar problem every time someone else, I don't know who it was, but it was probably only 1 other customer, on the cable company's public subnet would send a DHCP renew request for my IP address which I had asked and paid to have statically locked down to my MAC.  

It took me months of tracking down every possibility, even switching routers in the process.  Finally their sysadm found that there was indeed a problem with their DHCP server trying to serve my IP to more than 1 client.  In the end I set up my router/firewall as a static IP config, so that their DHCP server could not mess up my config.

Check your DHCP settings for the router and try setting the same IP params as static config in the DHCP device being served by your cable company.  If the problem does not happen when you've manually locked the IP config down on the device, then you can probably ask your cable company what's up with thier DHCP server - they'll probably find that you and another customer may be fighting for the same IP.

I don't think it's IE because my GMAIL notifier starts to fail as well.  I also cannot connect to MSN messenger.  Although, if I am already connected to messenger, I can continue to chat.

My power option is simply "Always On"

In response to ChipmOnk, remember that I can surf on my laptop (which is connected to the router) fine for as long as I want.  I have a USR wireless router and a motorola cable modem.

Thanks,

smurfgun,

did you try any of my suggestions?

I meant my other suggestions.

Does firefox do the same thing?

Firefox does not work and the winsock fix does not work either.

What about the IEfix?

Do you have a proxy enabled?  Go to tools<internet options<connections< LAN settings  make sure proxy is not enabled.  Do an ipconfig /all and show me the info it gives.

IEfix is no good as well.  No proxy is enabled.

Windows IP Configuration

        Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : HOME
        Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
        Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
        IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
        WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 3:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : vc.shawcable.net
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Marvell Yukon 88E8001/8003/8010 PCI
Gigabit Ethernet Controller
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0E-A6-92-D5-B7
        Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
        Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
        IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.123.100
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.123.254
        DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.123.254
        DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.123.254
        Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, November 14, 2005 9:48:13 PM
        Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, November 15, 2005 9:48:13 PM

btw, ipconfig /all will yield the same results after I lose internet connection

You're qqqqquick  !!!!!!!!

Do you have all the latest drivers for ethernet and wireless?  I also recommend letting the utility that came with your wireless adapter manage your wireless connections not windows.

I REALLY want to get this solved....  I've spent a couple weeks on it.

YUP... I recently got the latest for the NIC and router...  part of the process of trying to figure it out.  

My desktop (where the problem occurrs) is wired, not wireless.  What I am claiming though is that my wireless laptop does not exhibit this problem.

I am going to request for some more knowledgeable folks than I to respond to this thread.

smurfgun:
I assume the following:

Windows XP SP1/2. Cannot browse after around 10 minutes.
You are not behind any proxy.
Direct connectivity to cable modem and/or 'USR' router.
When you face a problem, you can ping via IP and also via DNS names? e.g. ping www.yahoo.com also works for you. (Is that correct?)
IE and Firefox both don't work for you.

You suspect that you have run into this problem after your VPN client installation.
If it is already installed, see if you can unbind it from the network adapter which is connecting to your cable modem.

(Keep only one internet connection enabled, disable all other internet connections that you may have. Shut down that router, if not required. See if you have a setup such as PC --> Cable modem --> ISP)

Check the event logs (all three) for any errors.

If none of the above helps, then can you configure your Ethernet card to operate at 100 Mbps instead of 1 Gbps?

The last option I see, is to reinstall SP2 (or SP1, what ever you were using).

Cheers,
X

smurfgun,

there will be others responding by morning.  I put out the word.

smurfgun,

Your problem is may be hardware.  After the component heats up, you lose your connection.  Since your laptop works, it is somewhere before your router.

I do not know your exact setup, you may have an intermittent NIC card.  Replace it and see if the connection holds.

I am running WinXP SP2.
Yes, I can ping DNS/IPs when I lose connection
The ethernet card is already configured to operate at 100 Mbps
I've already attempted PC->cable mode->isp and it exhibits the same behaviour
Currently, VPN is uninstalled
AND finally, yes, I only have 1 connection enabled

=)

Where do I check the event logs?

My Asus motherboard has 2 NICs... a GigE and a 10/100...  They both exhibit the problem.  I unfortunately don't have another NIC I can use.

Btw, remember I can STILL surf to https://secure.shaw.ca (shaw being my ISP).  And I can still message on MSN.

start<control panel < switch to classic view< administrative tools< event viewer

smurfgun,

war1 has a good point about the card.

I've seen this happen if there is a problem with the router, possibly the port you're connected to, so try another port. Also, try connecting at a lower speed (10 rather than 100) and see if that helps. The laptop may not be affected because it is connecting wirelessly (or maybe to another port?).

If possible try another router.

Reponse to r-k:

- Tried 3 of the 4 ports on my router.
- Tried 10 Mbps already
- I tried no router and it was still no good

I'm starting to lean on re-installing windows on top of my current....

Can you surf to IP addresses?  (I suspect so -- but please confirm this)

For example:

Instead of www.microsoft.com ==>  http:\\207.46.198.60

Instead of www.yahoo.com ==>   http:\\216.109.117.106

Instead of www.google.com ==>   http:\\66.249.93.104

Assuming this works, please post the results of "IPCONFIG /all" on your LAPTOP (the one that works).

In addition, on the computer with the problem, go to Control Panel, Network Connections;  highlight the connection you're using (probably Local Area Connection), right-click and select Properties;  then highlight TCP/IP and click on Properties.   Tell me the DNS settings on the General tab (this should be "obtain automatically" -- but it appears it is not).    If it is not currently "obtain automatically", change it and reboot -- this will most likely fix your problem.

Cannot surf to addresses.
obtain automatically is my setting

Working laptop:
Windows IP Configuration

        Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : lthome
        Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
        Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
        IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
        WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
        DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : vc.shawcable.net

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : vc.shawcable.net
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : U.S. Robotics 802.11g Wireless Turbo
 Adapter
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-C0-49-DB-17-4F
        Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
        Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
        IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.123.102
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.123.254
        DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.123.254
        DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.123.254
        Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, November 14, 2005 5:50:49 PM

        Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, November 15, 2005 5:50:49 P

I've got to hit the sack, but will look at this again tomorrow.

It appears your problem is your computer does not have an assigned DNS Suffix Search List.   Been a while since I've messed with that, but there is a way to change it.   Perhaps you (or someone else who is in a different time zone) can get this resolved tonight, but if not I'll help you do it tomorrow.

Your DNS Server list also looks strange to me -- it's pointing to your router's IP instead of your provider's DNS server.   But this may be a matter of the router's firewall -- and since your laptop is working fine, I doubt it's a problem.    But you DO need a DNS suffix.

What make/model router do you have?

Do these mean anything:

*********************************************************
The DCOM Server Process Launcher service hung on starting.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
*********************************************************
The Security Center service failed to start due to the following error:
The executable program that this service is configured to run in does not implement the service.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
*********************************************************
The following boot-start or system-start driver(s) failed to load:
FltMgr

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Have a look at this;

http://www.file.net/process/fltmgr.sys.html

not sure if it will help, but did you try this : DCOMbobulator - weird name -

http://grc.com/dcom/

All,

I thank you all for helping me with this matter.  Like I said, I have spent a couple weeks on this and I am as frustrated as I can get.  Looking at the response I got here, I should have posted earlier.

Nevertheless, I have decided to re-install windows on top of my current installation.  

So far, I have been surfing for quite a while.

I suggest that you reinstall SP2.

As for the DCOM error see this post where the re-installation of SP2 worked.
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/browse_thread/thread/a562f87938d7b89e/1fac5bcd3bfd4020%231fac5bcd3bfd4020?sa=X&oi=groupsr&start=1&num=3

As for other errors,

FltMgr: I am not very sure on this. Suspect something fishy on your machine. You have already run a couple of updated anti-spyware software, right?

Cheers,
X

I think the operative comment above was the installation of the Cisco VPN client...  This installs the Cisco VPN service, and can sometimes cause issues with your connection..  Open your Services panel and ck to see if it is still installed, and whether it is running..  Stop it if it is, set to disabled, and reboot...  now try your connection..

Start > Run > services.msc (OK)

If you need to run the VPN client, set it to manual, and start the service when you need it..  This is how I run my Cisco VPN client on my system, to connect to my corporate offices...

FE

ok,download belarc advisor: www.belarc.com/free_download.html
this will help you find all the installed prograrms.
look for any suspected spyware.
as well as check if cisco vpn client is also there?

now one more thing.
open your internet connection > properties. under general do you findd anything new? maybe some driver vpn client has installed? if so, you can simply uncheck it.


how about firewalls, which firewall you use, chick by disabling it. you may need to restore firewall defaults and restart the system if this is the case.

Again,  thanks for the responses.

I can no longer continue to debug.  I have re-installed WinXP already.

Looks like an okay move since my system in general is running much faster.

Definitely an "OK move".   It's always interesting to know WHY problems occur; and in this case it was clear WHAT caused the issue (the Cisco VPN client) and even WHAT the fundamental issue was (you had no DNS Suffix Search List).   But WHY that happened shall remain a mystery :)

It is, however, often faster -- and definitely "cleaner" -- to simply do a reinstall.   This will not only clear up whatever particular issue caused you to do this; but will also get rid of any "hidden junk" that might be lurking in the background of your system.   As you noted, this often results in better reponse overall as well.

Glad all is working.   Seems you fixed this yourself :) :)

Just for grins, how about posting an "IPCONFIG /all" for the reloaded system.

smurfgun,

glad to hear the problem is solved.  I think everyone should do a routine clean install here and again.  If you feel like any of the experts helped you please accept their posts as answers and assign an excellent grade........... :-)

gary, make that ipconfig / helpers...

I'll post the ipconfig information tonight (9 hours from now) since I am now at work.

But I agree...  I really wanted to know the source of the problem.  That is why I worked on it for 2 weeks.  I didn't want to give up but I think I've spent enough time on it.  I hope this will not happen again because I'll probably be installing the VPN client again.

...make an image of your system before you install the VPN client next time.
Then if anything goes wrong, it's a 5-min restore & all is well :)

I suggest Boot-It NG for imaging -- a bit "geeky" but an excellent to-the-task, no "bloatware" product that does exactly what it's designed for and does it exceptionally well.   Free demo at www.bootitng.com

Even easyer, create a restore point via windows XP system restore.

start>programs>accessories>system tools>system restore :)

create a restore point, before you install the VPN client.  

System restore is okay -- but is nowhere near as good as having a full image of the system partition.

Here you go!!

Windows IP Configuration

        Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : home
        Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
        Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
        IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
        WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : vc.shawcable.net
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Marvell Yukon Gigabit Ethernet 10/10
0/1000Base-T Adapter, Copper RJ-45
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0E-A6-92-D5-B7
        Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
        Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
        IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.123.100
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.123.254
        DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.123.254
        DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.123.254
        Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, November 15, 2005 1:18:45 PM
        Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, November 16, 2005 1:18:45 PM