Reasons why Internet craps out after a few hours?

Ronald Epstein · 11-05-2006, 11:18 AM

I have Verizon Fios hooked up through a wired router that
broadcasts wireless throughout my home. I leave my computer
on for 8 hours a day. Many times, I'm downloading *something*
during that time.

Recently I did a reformat on my computer and reinstalled
all my software.

Since the reformat I noticed that my Internet connection
routinely craps out after a few hours. It just disconnects
and I have to reboot my computer to get it back. I can
be in the middle of a download and I lose my connection so
it has nothing to do with inactivity.

I must point out that as soon as I reboot my computer
I have my Internet connection again.

It's not FIOS or the router, as my other computers remain
connected. My second computer is wired to the same router
and my laptop works wirelessly from the router.

The only thing *different* in my setup is that I upgraded
from Trend Micro PC-Cillin 2006 to 2007.
I have a subscription that allows the upgrade.

I'd hate to think something was put in the new version
of Trend Micro Internet security that tells it to shut down
my Internet connection after a few hours. Makes no sense.

Could my network card be going bad?

Is there anything else that would *routinely* (and I mean
on a daily basis) shut down my Internet connection after
a few hours of use?

Thanks in advance!

Paul_Sjordal · 11-05-2006, 01:07 PM

First of all, I don't think you have to reboot. You should be able to

[code]Start > Run > ipconfig /renew[/code]

(might be slightly different if you're using an older OS) and get things chugging again.

The first thing I would do is swap out your NIC card and see if you still have the same problems. (Remember, only change one thing at a time before each testing session.)

If that doesn't work, try down-grading back to the old version of your antivirus software.

I can't think of anything in your security software that would totally shut down your Internet connection. What software firewall are you using?

Ronald Epstein · 11-05-2006, 03:33 PM

Paul,

Thanks for the tip! I'll try that next time my Internet craps out
which should be in a few hours.

I am going to order a NIC card right now.

If it was the NIC card, would it routinely crap out every few hours
or do you think the problem would be more immediate?

As for a firewall, since I use Trend Micro PC-Cillin 2007, that
has become my all inclusive antivirus/firewall/mallware/spyware
protector.

Karl_Luph · 11-05-2006, 06:09 PM

Hi Ron, I'm running the same new Trend Micro setup as you, using their firewall feature also. I've had the same problem problem before using Trend Micro,so I don't think Trend Micro is the problem. . I have a wireless connection and every so often I'll just lose the connection. Sometimes I can just log off and log back on to get back online, then sometimes that doesn't work and I have_ to reboot. I do__ know this, it seems to happen alot of times when I'm on Myspace for some reason.

Mike Fassler · 11-05-2006, 10:06 PM

have you tried disabling your software firewall, to see if anything changes? It wont hurt anything not to run it since your behind a router.

**HTF Ads**

Ronald Epstein · 11-06-2006, 02:53 AM

Karl, thanks for the tip however, my computer is wired.

I'm gonna try the NIC card first since it sounds like the
obvious problem.

I just ordered a 3Com PCI card for about $50 from New Egg.
Thought I'd spend a little more for a decent card that hopefully
will be reliable.

If that does not correct the issue, I'll then look into the software end.

For those interested I'll post results in 2-3 days.

Scott Merryfield · 11-06-2006, 07:50 AM

Have you checked the power management settings on your PC? Since this has happened only since you reformatted the PC, one of the settings may be different now and may be disabling your NIC after a period of time.

To check this out, disable all auto power off features in the Control Panel and see if your disconnects cease.

Ronald Epstein · 11-06-2006, 11:21 AM

Scott,

I don't see anything in POWER SETTINGS that would control
the Internet. I have previously gone into this area and told
my computer not to shut down anything at any time.

And, in hindsight, I think the Internet was working fine for
about a week after the format of my computer, so I am now
once again leaning towards the NIC card being the problem.

Have read a lot of reviews of various NIC cards and there
does seem to be a trend of these cards crapping out after
a while.

Should have my card Tuesday so I'll be sure to post an
update (if anyone is interested).

Scott Merryfield · 11-06-2006, 11:30 AM

Ron,

When some PC's go into standby mode, they will shutdown the NIC, too, which will lead to network disconnects. We've had that problem with numerous Dell models at work over the years. However, if you didn't have the problem for a week or so after reformatting the PC (as you clarified in your last post), chances are that is not the problem.