Computer drops out of Internet

[Marvin]

Update - computer stayed connected to Internet overnight, has now been online for 13 hours ....

Network diagnostics :-
The bit that failed ....

Modems and Network Adapters
Modems
Network Adapters FAILED
[00458755] WAN Miniport (IP) (FAILED)
Caption = [00458755] WAN Miniport (IP)
DatabasePath = %SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\etc
DefaultIPGateway = 86.128.20.79(Same Subnet) (PASSED)
Pinging 86.128.20.79 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 86.128.20.79: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=0
Reply from 86.128.20.79: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=0
Reply from 86.128.20.79: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=0
Reply from 86.128.20.79: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=0
Ping statistics for 86.128.20.79:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss)
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms
Description = WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
DHCPEnabled = FALSE
DNSEnabledForWINSResolution = FALSE
DNSHostName = zaphod
DNSServerSearchOrder (FAILED)
194.72.0.114 (FAILED)
Pinging 194.72.0.114 with 32 bytes of data:
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Ping statistics for 194.72.0.114:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 0, Lost = 4 (100% loss)
194.74.65.69 (FAILED)
Pinging 194.74.65.69 with 32 bytes of data:
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Ping statistics for 194.74.65.69:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 0, Lost = 4 (100% loss)

 

[Rick]

Since we don't have a router, wireless or network cables to worry about, this takes a lot of guesswork out of it.

Your computer connects from time to time, which tells us it isn't a persistent problem, like your Winsock. Since the problem is intermittent and you're actually able to get online sometimes, we can be very sure your settings and other basic things are OK.

Your Internet uses PPPOE which means it requires authentication. In short, you have to login with a user/password. Is this done automatically? Do you ever have to login? If you had to login manually, what do you use to login... is there a program or do you use the Windows PPPOE dialier? Are you even able to login when your Internet is down? My far-off thought is maybe you are getting kicked for some reason and need to re-authenticate, but it is not automatic. When you restart your computer though, it's probably setup to dial in automatically so restarting it would fix it. It doesn't sound like that's the case though, but just thinking out loud.

When you're unable to get online, your computer is not communicating with your ISP. This is apparent because you have no IP address.
My assumption at the moment would be hardware failure or line problems. You should contact your ISP and have them do a line check so we can rule out your provider's equipment. If they determine their end is OK, I'd consider replacing that modem with another one (just temporarily, for troubleshooting if at all possible). And of course, check/replace the telephone cable. If you can, run a cable to another phone jack in the house as a control experiment, this way we can rule out that particular jack being an issue.

Another (but more far fetched) suspect could be a virus/worm. Some of these malicious programs send a tremendous amount of TCP requests all at once. Windows (since SP2) and even your ISP can limit your ability to get online for awhile if they detect this behavior. After a period of time passes, you'll be given another shot to get online, but if your computer is still making enormous amounts of TCP requests, you'll get cut off again. You can check your Event log ( Start > Run > eventvwr.msc ). Look under "System" and look for the time stamps close to the time you lots Internet connectivity. Any errors? (Yellow and red icons). This would keep you offline for intervals, let you back on shortly and kick you back off after a short period of time.

The reason I asked about P2P programs is BitTorrent is notorious for bringing a lot home networking equipment to its knees. It generates a lot of network traffic very quickly and can cause all sorts of undesirable connectivity problems. You should definitely leave your P2P apps alone while you troubleshoot.

Best of luck.

 

[Marvin]

In short, you have to login with a user/password. Is this done automatically? - Yes

Do you ever have to login? - No

If you had to login manually, what do you use to login... is there a program or do you use the Windows PPPOE dialier? - Windows PPOE dialler

Are you even able to login when your Internet is down? - No

You should contact your ISP and have them do a line check so we can rule out your provider's equipment. - Will do.(not done yet will have to contact them)

And of course, check/replace the telephone cable. - Can do (trip to PC World or similar ....)

If you can, run a cable to another phone jack in the house as a control experiment, this way we can rule out that particular jack being an issue. - I would need a long cable 10-15 metres to get downstairs, would have to disconnect house phone unless I can find the splitter I used to have.

Start > Run > eventvwr.msc

The last time I got disconnected yesterday evening ....

Time 19:32:07 07/10/06 Event : Error Source : inevents
The infrared file transfer service encountered an error while checking for configuration changes. Changes made from the Wireless Link control panel will not take effect until the next logon session. The error reported was 6.

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

===========

Time 18:53:06 07/10/06 Event :Error Source : Service Control Manager
The Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) / Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) service depends on the Application Layer Gateway Service service which failed to start because of the following error:
The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it.

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

Same event happened a few seconds earlier at 18:52:40
Also at 16:31:40 and 16:30:23
===========

Strange? This Error event type has happened seven times over the last three days, mostly from IP 86.128..... (BT Broadband, so could be myself ????)

The server received an incorrectly formatted request from \\86.128.175.189.

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

Bit torrent has never given me any problems (apart from my lack of connection speed, particularly the d/l rate) as far as I know. I've not used it lately because of the problems I've been having with the internet connection.