Intermittent Connection

Sparky · External Since: Mar 30, 2009 Posts: 9

Trying to help a friend who loses her Internet connection after approx 20 -
30 mins.

Dell Inspirion Laptop , XP SP3 - MacAfee Internet Security

It CAN be restored by unplugging / re plugging the LAN connection ( to
cable modem , no router ).

So far we've

1 Replaced the modem. Cable company came out and his laptop connected
properly

2. Replaced the cable to the modem

3. Ran Dell Diagnostics ( it's a Dell Laptop ) - came up clean

4. Connecting the laptop to other other modems exhibits basically the same
symptoms ( might be more or less time before the connection is dropped ).

I was going to disable MacAfee completely , but I assumed if it was blocking
something it would do it all the time ? It's not a power management issue
.....it happens when PM hasn't kicked in

Obviously , we're thinking hardware problem , any ideas before we head off
to the friendly neighbourhood shop ?

TIA!!!

Pegasus [MVP] · External Since: Mar 16, 2009 Posts: 84

"Sparky" <no.DeleteThis@email.com> wrote in message
news:O2FIpGCXKHA.4816@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Trying to help a friend who loses her Internet connection after approx
> 20 - 30 mins.
>
> Dell Inspirion Laptop , XP SP3 - MacAfee Internet Security
>
> It CAN be restored by unplugging / re plugging the LAN connection ( to
> cable modem , no router ).
>
> So far we've
>
> 1 Replaced the modem. Cable company came out and his laptop connected
> properly
>
> 2. Replaced the cable to the modem
>
> 3. Ran Dell Diagnostics ( it's a Dell Laptop ) - came up clean
>
> 4. Connecting the laptop to other other modems exhibits basically the same
> symptoms ( might be more or less time before the connection is dropped ).
>
> I was going to disable MacAfee completely , but I assumed if it was
> blocking something it would do it all the time ? It's not a power
> management issue ....it happens when PM hasn't kicked in
>
> Obviously , we're thinking hardware problem , any ideas before we head
> off to the friendly neighbourhood shop ?
>
> TIA!!!

It sounds as if the network adapter built into the Dell machine behaves
intermittently. When the connection gets dropped next time, try this:
- Click Start / Run
- Type the three letters cmd
- Click the OK button
- Type the following commands:
ipconfig /all > c:\test.txt {Enter}
notepad c:\test.txt {Enter}
- Paste the text into your reply.
- Repeat the above commands after restoring the connection, and paste that
text into your reply too.

Sparky · External Since: Mar 30, 2009 Posts: 9

Many thanks for the replies

I tried Pegasus' commands but they produced an empty text file. The owner of
the computer isn't up to doing that by herself...I'd have to run over and
try.

Previously , the connection was ' good ' for about 30 mins , but this
morning , it's each mail check or web page load. I've told her to disable
Macafee Internet Security and see if that helps.

Suggestions are appreciated !
"SPAMCOP User" <spamcop_user RemoveThis @no_mail.haha> wrote in message
news:#MHR2tFXKHA.4588@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> As Pegasus is trying to diagnose. It sounds like the period of time the
> network adapter is renewing it's IP address. If that is happening then the
> antivirus maybe blocking the connection
> or the renewed address is an internal one starting with 169...
>
> Do you have the network card power management feature enabled? If so, try
> disabling it to rule out Windows shutting it down to save power
>
> --
> SPAMCOP User
>
>
> "Pegasus [MVP]" <news RemoveThis @microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:%23Bg$rnFXKHA.504@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>
>> "Sparky" <no RemoveThis @email.com> wrote in message
>> news:O2FIpGCXKHA.4816@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>> Trying to help a friend who loses her Internet connection after approx
>>> 20 - 30 mins.
>>>
>>> Dell Inspirion Laptop , XP SP3 - MacAfee Internet Security
>>>
>>> It CAN be restored by unplugging / re plugging the LAN connection ( to
>>> cable modem , no router ).
>>>
>>> So far we've
>>>
>>> 1 Replaced the modem. Cable company came out and his laptop connected
>>> properly
>>>
>>> 2. Replaced the cable to the modem
>>>
>>> 3. Ran Dell Diagnostics ( it's a Dell Laptop ) - came up clean
>>>
>>> 4. Connecting the laptop to other other modems exhibits basically the
>>> same symptoms ( might be more or less time before the connection is
>>> dropped ).
>>>
>>> I was going to disable MacAfee completely , but I assumed if it was
>>> blocking something it would do it all the time ? It's not a power
>>> management issue ....it happens when PM hasn't kicked in
>>>
>>> Obviously , we're thinking hardware problem , any ideas before we head
>>> off to the friendly neighbourhood shop ?
>>>
>>> TIA!!!
>>
>> It sounds as if the network adapter built into the Dell machine behaves
>> intermittently. When the connection gets dropped next time, try this:
>> - Click Start / Run
>> - Type the three letters cmd
>> - Click the OK button
>> - Type the following commands:
>> ipconfig /all > c:\test.txt {Enter}
>> notepad c:\test.txt {Enter}
>> - Paste the text into your reply.
>> - Repeat the above commands after restoring the connection, and paste
>> that text into your reply too.
>>
>

Pegasus [MVP] · External Since: Mar 16, 2009 Posts: 84

"Sparky" <no.DeleteThis@email.com> wrote in message
news:ecgYZ6MXKHA.2008@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Many thanks for the replies
>
> I tried Pegasus' commands but they produced an empty text file. The owner
> of the computer isn't up to doing that by herself...I'd have to run over
> and try.

Run the commands on your own machine first so that you can direct the PC's
owner with confidence!

Sparky · External Since: Mar 30, 2009 Posts: 9

I've got several great copies of my own info ....I'll just have to get the
ones from the faulty machine.

Back when I manage to do it.

Thanks

"Pegasus [MVP]" <news.DeleteThis@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:OOIjXFNXKHA.4588@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>
> "Sparky" <no.DeleteThis@email.com> wrote in message
> news:ecgYZ6MXKHA.2008@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> Many thanks for the replies
>>
>> I tried Pegasus' commands but they produced an empty text file. The owner
>> of the computer isn't up to doing that by herself...I'd have to run over
>> and try.
>
> Run the commands on your own machine first so that you can direct the PC's
> owner with confidence!
>

Sparky · External Since: Mar 30, 2009 Posts: 9

"Pegasus [MVP]" <news RemoveThis @microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:#Bg$rnFXKHA.504@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>
> "Sparky" <no RemoveThis @email.com> wrote in message
> news:O2FIpGCXKHA.4816@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> Trying to help a friend who loses her Internet connection after approx
>> 20 - 30 mins.
>>
>> Dell Inspirion Laptop , XP SP3 - MacAfee Internet Security
>>
>> It CAN be restored by unplugging / re plugging the LAN connection ( to
>> cable modem , no router ).
>>
>> So far we've
>>
>> 1 Replaced the modem. Cable company came out and his laptop connected
>> properly
>>
>> 2. Replaced the cable to the modem
>>
>> 3. Ran Dell Diagnostics ( it's a Dell Laptop ) - came up clean
>>
>> 4. Connecting the laptop to other other modems exhibits basically the
>> same symptoms ( might be more or less time before the connection is
>> dropped ).
>>
>> I was going to disable MacAfee completely , but I assumed if it was
>> blocking something it would do it all the time ? It's not a power
>> management issue ....it happens when PM hasn't kicked in
>>
>> Obviously , we're thinking hardware problem , any ideas before we head
>> off to the friendly neighbourhood shop ?
>>
>> TIA!!!
>
> It sounds as if the network adapter built into the Dell machine behaves
> intermittently. When the connection gets dropped next time, try this:
> - Click Start / Run
> - Type the three letters cmd
> - Click the OK button
> - Type the following commands:
> ipconfig /all > c:\test.txt {Enter}
> notepad c:\test.txt {Enter}
> - Paste the text into your reply.
> - Repeat the above commands after restoring the connection, and paste that
> text into your reply too.
>

Info received from problem machine as follows.

lost connection looks like this:

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : susan-u2jzxis3o

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :

Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown

IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : gv.shawcable.net

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : gv.shawcable.net

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated
Controller

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0F-1F-AF-09-B1

Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes

Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 96.54.41.175

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.252.0

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 96.54.40.1

DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 64.59.160.40

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 64.59.160.13

64.59.160.15

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : November 5, 2009 8:13:14 PM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : November 7, 2009 8:13:14 PM

* * * * * * * *
freshly repaired connection looks like this

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : susan-u2jzxis3o

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :

Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown

IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : gv.shawcable.net

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : gv.shawcable.net

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated
Controller

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0F-1F-AF-09-B1

Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes

Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 96.54.41.175

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.252.0

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 96.54.40.1

DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 64.59.160.40

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 64.59.160.13

64.59.160.15

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : November 5, 2009 8:13:14 PM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : November 7, 2009 8:13:14 PM

Thanks
Sparky

Pegasus [MVP] · External Since: Mar 16, 2009 Posts: 84

"Sparky" <no.TakeThisOut@email.com> wrote in message
news:ONgr0FqXKHA.3696@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>
> "Pegasus [MVP]" <news.TakeThisOut@microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:#Bg$rnFXKHA.504@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>
>> "Sparky" <no.TakeThisOut@email.com> wrote in message
>> news:O2FIpGCXKHA.4816@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>> Trying to help a friend who loses her Internet connection after approx
>>> 20 - 30 mins.
>>>
>>> Dell Inspirion Laptop , XP SP3 - MacAfee Internet Security
>>>
>>> It CAN be restored by unplugging / re plugging the LAN connection ( to
>>> cable modem , no router ).
>>>
>>> So far we've
>>>
>>> 1 Replaced the modem. Cable company came out and his laptop connected
>>> properly
>>>
>>> 2. Replaced the cable to the modem
>>>
>>> 3. Ran Dell Diagnostics ( it's a Dell Laptop ) - came up clean
>>>
>>> 4. Connecting the laptop to other other modems exhibits basically the
>>> same symptoms ( might be more or less time before the connection is
>>> dropped ).
>>>
>>> I was going to disable MacAfee completely , but I assumed if it was
>>> blocking something it would do it all the time ? It's not a power
>>> management issue ....it happens when PM hasn't kicked in
>>>
>>> Obviously , we're thinking hardware problem , any ideas before we head
>>> off to the friendly neighbourhood shop ?
>>>
>>> TIA!!!
>>
>> It sounds as if the network adapter built into the Dell machine behaves
>> intermittently. When the connection gets dropped next time, try this:
>> - Click Start / Run
>> - Type the three letters cmd
>> - Click the OK button
>> - Type the following commands:
>> ipconfig /all > c:\test.txt {Enter}
>> notepad c:\test.txt {Enter}
>> - Paste the text into your reply.
>> - Repeat the above commands after restoring the connection, and paste
>> that text into your reply too.
>>
>
> Info received from problem machine as follows.
lost connection looks like this:
Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : susan-u2jzxis3o
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : gv.shawcable.net
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : gv.shawcable.net
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated
Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0F-1F-AF-09-B1
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 96.54.41.175
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.252.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 96.54.40.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 64.59.160.40
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 64.59.160.13
64.59.160.15
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : November 5, 2009 8:13:14 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : November 7, 2009 8:13:14 PM
* * * * * * * *
freshly repaired connection looks like this
Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : susan-u2jzxis3o
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : gv.shawcable.net
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : gv.shawcable.net
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated
Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0F-1F-AF-09-B1
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 96.54.41.175
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.252.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 96.54.40.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 64.59.160.40
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 64.59.160.13
64.59.160.15
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : November 5, 2009 8:13:14 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : November 7, 2009 8:13:14 PM
Thanks
Sparky
> Thanks
> Sparky

The two log files you posted look identical. Either you posted the same file
twice or else there is no difference - can't tell! Anyway, based on your
response I propose to run this batch file:
@echo off
cd 1>0 2>c:\test.txt
:Again
echo %date% %time% >> c:\test.txt
ping 96.54.40.1 >> c:\test.txt
ping 74.125.39.99 >> c:\test.txt
ping www.google.com >> c:\test.txt
ping localhost -n 60 > nul
goto Again

It will test three things:
a) If the problem machine can reach your router.
b) If it can reach an outside IP address.
c) If it can resolve a site name.

Get the owner to do this:
1. Save the code in c:\test.bat.
2. Double-click the file when her Internet connection is intact.
3. Wait until the connection fails, then jot down the time.
4. Wait another 120 seconds.
5. Stop the batch file.
6. Edit the contents of c:\test.txt. Remove the repetitious stuff.
7. Post the meaningful lines, in particular those after the failure
occurred.

Sparky · External Since: Mar 30, 2009 Posts: 9

"Pegasus [MVP]" <news.RemoveThis@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:#HZvMesXKHA.844@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>
> "Sparky" <no.RemoveThis@email.com> wrote in message
> news:ONgr0FqXKHA.3696@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>>
>> "Pegasus [MVP]" <news.RemoveThis@microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:#Bg$rnFXKHA.504@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>>
>>> "Sparky" <no.RemoveThis@email.com> wrote in message
>>> news:O2FIpGCXKHA.4816@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>>> Trying to help a friend who loses her Internet connection after approx
>>>> 20 - 30 mins.
>>>>
>>>> Dell Inspirion Laptop , XP SP3 - MacAfee Internet Security
>>>>
>>>> It CAN be restored by unplugging / re plugging the LAN connection ( to
>>>> cable modem , no router ).
>>>>
>>>> So far we've
>>>>
>>>> 1 Replaced the modem. Cable company came out and his laptop connected
>>>> properly
>>>>
>>>> 2. Replaced the cable to the modem
>>>>
>>>> 3. Ran Dell Diagnostics ( it's a Dell Laptop ) - came up clean
>>>>
>>>> 4. Connecting the laptop to other other modems exhibits basically the
>>>> same symptoms ( might be more or less time before the connection is
>>>> dropped ).
>>>>
>>>> I was going to disable MacAfee completely , but I assumed if it was
>>>> blocking something it would do it all the time ? It's not a power
>>>> management issue ....it happens when PM hasn't kicked in
>>>>
>>>> Obviously , we're thinking hardware problem , any ideas before we head
>>>> off to the friendly neighbourhood shop ?
>>>>
>>>> TIA!!!
>>>
>>> It sounds as if the network adapter built into the Dell machine behaves
>>> intermittently. When the connection gets dropped next time, try this:
>>> - Click Start / Run
>>> - Type the three letters cmd
>>> - Click the OK button
>>> - Type the following commands:
>>> ipconfig /all > c:\test.txt {Enter}
>>> notepad c:\test.txt {Enter}
>>> - Paste the text into your reply.
>>> - Repeat the above commands after restoring the connection, and paste
>>> that text into your reply too.
>>>
>>
>> Info received from problem machine as follows.
> lost connection looks like this:
> Windows IP Configuration
> Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : susan-u2jzxis3o
> Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
> Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
> IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : gv.shawcable.net
> Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
> Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : gv.shawcable.net
> Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated
> Controller
> Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0F-1F-AF-09-B1
> Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
> Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
> IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 96.54.41.175
> Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.252.0
> Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 96.54.40.1
> DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 64.59.160.40
> DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 64.59.160.13
> 64.59.160.15
> Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : November 5, 2009 8:13:14 PM
> Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : November 7, 2009 8:13:14 PM
> * * * * * * * *
> freshly repaired connection looks like this
> Windows IP Configuration
> Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : susan-u2jzxis3o
> Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
> Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
> IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : gv.shawcable.net
> Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
> Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : gv.shawcable.net
> Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated
> Controller
> Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0F-1F-AF-09-B1
> Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
> Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
> IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 96.54.41.175
> Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.252.0
> Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 96.54.40.1
> DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 64.59.160.40
> DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 64.59.160.13
> 64.59.160.15
> Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : November 5, 2009 8:13:14 PM
> Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : November 7, 2009 8:13:14 PM
> Thanks
> Sparky
>> Thanks
>> Sparky
>
> The two log files you posted look identical. Either you posted the same
> file twice or else there is no difference - can't tell! Anyway, based on
> your response I propose to run this batch file:
> @echo off
> cd 1>0 2>c:\test.txt
> :Again
> echo %date% %time% >> c:\test.txt
> ping 96.54.40.1 >> c:\test.txt
> ping 74.125.39.99 >> c:\test.txt
> ping www.google.com >> c:\test.txt
> ping localhost -n 60 > nul
> goto Again
>
> It will test three things:
> a) If the problem machine can reach your router.
> b) If it can reach an outside IP address.
> c) If it can resolve a site name.
>
> Get the owner to do this:
> 1. Save the code in c:\test.bat.
> 2. Double-click the file when her Internet connection is intact.
> 3. Wait until the connection fails, then jot down the time.
> 4. Wait another 120 seconds.
> 5. Stop the batch file.
> 6. Edit the contents of c:\test.txt. Remove the repetitious stuff.
> 7. Post the meaningful lines, in particular those after the failure
> occurred.
>

Many thanks for your continued patience. I also noticed the similarites in
the reports , and asked for a 2nd try. The results I posted were those.
I wondered if the second export may not have replaced the original data ?
( Just a thought )..

Clearly , it's an issue that needs to be addressed by someone who can
physically diagnose the issue.. it's starting to strain the friendship !

If and when she gets it fixed , I'll post what happened just for peace of
mind.

Sincerely

Sparky