Alright, every time I try to download something, no matter which browser I use, no matter where it's located, my internet has a roughly 5% chance per second of disconnecting for 30 seconds, reconnecting, and then being unable to continue the download. This is especially annoying when trying to play internet games, download any type of software. For instance, downloading LoL's client took a couple days' worth of tries, even though it preserves any previously-downloaded data, because I kept disconnecting. HoN's patches (when I was still playing for free) would take an hour at least, despite their biggest patches getting to be around 10 MB. It's especially annoying because it never does this when I'm browsing, or when downloading minor files like .jpgs.

I've tried turning off my Webroot Antivirus, completely disabling Norton's, and basically making my computer as open as possible to any and all threats. It still disconnects. My provider is a cable company that is very popular in the area, and I never had this problem before I moved here a couple years ago. I never noticed any problems until I got this computer because my old one was a WinME, 9ish years old, and it took forever downloading, so I never downloaded stuff.

TL;DR: Internet connection disconnects when it wants to, please help.
EDIT: I accidentally put this in the Games forum, can a mod move to Tech for me?

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Jun 6 2010, 6:29 am by poison_us.

[deleted]

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Sep 29 2018, 3:38 pm by DavidJCobb.

That could actually be the problem. Maybe you are virus infected.

So the problem started when you switched computers? I'm asking because I'd expect you'd put more emphasis such an important information. This pretty much excludes any provider-side problem.
And opens a whole new world of possible causes. I'll try to name a few for you to check.
- Bad OS (corrupted, bad network settings)
- Bad drivers (wrong, outdated or corrupted)
- Bloatware / Spyware (most notably custom search bars attached to your browser)
- Virus infection (spyware, adware, worms, trojans, etc.)
- Hardware conflicts (IRQ conflict - check device manager for !'s)
- Bad hardware (too old/incompatible network adapter, broken network adapter/cable/router)
- maybe I'll think of more, but checking all of these is enough work already for now.

Quote from NudeRaider

Quote from poison_us

I've tried turning off my Webroot Antivirus, completely disabling Norton's, and basically making my computer as open as possible to any and all threats. It still disconnects.

That could actually be the problem. Maybe you are virus infected.

The only problem with that is I'm trying to download one file, I'm already on that file's download link, and I just refresh. For example, when I downloaded SCMDraft's latest patches, I've already followed the link, closed every other process running that might access the internet, and then I disable protections. Immediately after the download (assuming it does download), I re-enable all protection and continue on my merry way.

The problem wasn't ever noticed in my old computer because I never downloaded anything onto it. The computer was so slow that I never tried to download anything. In any case:
- Bad OS: possibility, but unlikely. This is a store box, nothing added/removed on it.
- Bad Drivers: All are up-to-date.
- B/Sware: I run daily checks on my computer, and it picks up hundreds of cookies...Plus, I use Chrome and have no addons...
- Virus: The only "virus" that the scanner picks up is my wmode plugin for chaoslauncher. I'm not saying its impossible for there to be more, but I really doubt it.
- Hardware conflicts: checked, and there are none.

Uninstall whatever protection you have. Make sure Norton is GONE, not gone. Install Spybot S&D, Comodo Firewall, and Avast! anti-virus. Do a full scan with Avast! and update, immunize, and scan with Spybot.

I would probably test with a laptop or something to see if its the router or maybe the Ethernet cables.
Even though the device manager checks out ok, it can still be the Ethernet adapter.
I am thinking its more of a hardware problem then a software problem.

Don't neglect those too easily. Nobody guarantees you they set up the network properly or it doesn't conflict with your hardware. Also, corrupted system files can happen anytime through a number of reasons including installing a program. Up-to-date doesn't necessarily mean that the driver isn't meant for another piece of hardware which is roughly compatible.

I'm not saying those are likely causes, but at this point you can't and shouldn't exclude anything you haven't actually checked.

If it's from a store, why don't you let them check it?

Your best bet to track this problem down is to use another computer from your location. That way you can tell if it is your original computer, or something with your ISP/phone-line/network/whatever. Until you've isolated the case as one or the other, you could end up wasting a lot of time.

Suggestion: get a friend to bring their computer over, or anyone with access to a laptop. If it works fine for them, then there's something wrong with your computer.

Personally if the problem turns out to be on your computer and not the internet connection, I'd be inclined just to nuke the computer and reinstall from scratch. I've spent so much time dicking around in computers trying to fix them "properly" when they have really weird problems that are hard to diagnose with google searches, that it always ended up being easier, cleaner and better for my sanity to just back everything up and wipe them. That way if it was a software problem, it's fixed, and if it's a hardware problem, no amount of software tinkering would've solved it anyway.

As for diagnosing network problems: is this the only computer in the house, connected directly to the modem that connects to the internet? Are you using wireless? Are you sharing the connection with something else like an Xbox or Playstation or Wii? Are you possibly running a hub instead of a switch to connect multiple devices to the internet? If you're using a hub, that is almost certainly the problem - replace it with a switch (but don't throw it away, hubs can be very useful when diagnosing certain other problems).

Sounds like a good idea.

Quote from Lanthanide

As for diagnosing network problems: is this the only computer in the house, connected directly to the modem that connects to the internet? Are you using wireless? Are you sharing the connection with something else like an Xbox or Playstation or Wii? Are you possibly running a hub instead of a switch to connect multiple devices to the internet? If you're using a hub, that is almost certainly the problem - replace it with a switch (but don't throw it away, hubs can be very useful when diagnosing certain other problems).

Only computer, no xbox or anything else accessing the internet, and it's wireless, but the router is about 10 feet from my computer. Running on a switch.

As for nuking and reinstalling, I'd hoped there'd be a quicker way, but it's not doing it anymore that I notice, so I'll procrastinate on that.