My internet stops loading pages after about an hour.

[Jothel]

Hey there all, recently my internet has started to mess about. I have a Linksys router connected to the main desktop, 2 laptops, a 360 and a dell hand held.
The problem only occurs on the main desktop however. I use firefox and as soon as i try to load a page it says in the bottom left hand corner, where it usually says "done", "stopped"
If i have any downloads going at the time they continue and i can still use MSN etc.
I can't think why it would only affect the desktop and i have not downloaded anything recently that could have messed up. I run spyware doctor, spy sweep, ad aware and a McAffe virus scan each day and they never come up with anything.
My desktop has not been itself recently as well however, suffering from extremely slow start ups and shut downs - could this possibly connected?
On the desktop i have windows XP with service pack 2.
If anyone needs any more details i will try my best to give them to you.
I hope someone can help as this understandably frustrating.
Thanks

[smz]

you sure one of those software suites doesn't have some kind of parental filter? that is the most obvious for what you are explaining. even routers now have the ability to limit internet usage during specified times.

[Jothel]

Yeah, i've had this computer just under a year and it's only just become a problem, i haven't installed anything that would contain parental filters, just updates for spyware doctor and what have you and even then i check to see what is actually being update etc. When the sites do stop, the lights on my router go nuts and flash a lotlot faster, if that's any help.

[TheMatt]

Hi,

Are you using wireless or wires to connect the desktop to the router? If you connect it directly to the modem, does it have this problem?

[foolios]

I'm wondering what's going on with the spyware doctor? When you run your scans, do you usually find stuff to have removed?
I am wondering if there is something nasty running on the system that is causing your line to get choked up. You running any kind of torrent application or filesharing program of any kind?

[Jothel]

Originally Posted by TheMatt

Hi,

Are you using wireless or wires to connect the desktop to the router? If you connect it directly to the modem, does it have this problem?

my modem is connected to my router and my router is connected to my computer with a wire. I haven't tried plugging directly into the modem yet, but i will try.

Originally Posted by foolios

I'm wondering what's going on with the spyware doctor? When you run your scans, do you usually find stuff to have removed?
I am wondering if there is something nasty running on the system that is causing your line to get choked up. You running any kind of torrent application or filesharing program of any kind?

The only thing spyware doctor finds is cookies im pretty sure.
I have BitComet running in the background though 75% of the time it's inactive.

[foolios]

I can tell you I've run into a similar problem as you about a year ago. BitTorrent was the cause of the problem. I didn't ever both to configure it and had it at default settings which caused a lot of node activity at the router. It would cause my network to come to a screeching halt after about 1-2 hours.

Turn it off, make sure it doesn't auto load at boot up, reboot everything from a powered down state.

Hope that solves the problem for you.

Good Luck!

[Jothel]

Ok i will do that in a moment and tell you if it works.
If i have to download something shall i just leave it on over night so that i can surf in peace?

[foolios]

I would configure your filesharing appz to not use up so much bandwidth nor allow more than 10 connections to you at a time.

Cheers!

[Jothel]

right i just restarted (Which took way longer than it should, thats the next problem i've gotta get sorted) and so far it's working, bitcomet is closed, i'm hoping it will work, ill either post in a few hours or tomorrow morning - hopefully it'll be working all through the time.
thanks

[smz]

ON a P2P, I recommend configuring your Upstream (Upload rate) to no more then 50% of your maximum speed as provided by your carrier. Here's an example, try sending an email to someone with a large attachment and then click send. You will notice that your internet will be running very sluggish and not that responsive.

Hopefully you are clean and don't have a bot running the backround sucking up bandwidth but that is probably not the issue.

Originally Posted by foolios

I would configure your filesharing appz to not use up so much bandwidth nor allow more than 10 connections to you at a time.

Cheers!

[johnwill]

First off, we don't provide any support for P2P applications or their use here. If you stop using P2P, you'll probably find that your router doesn't stop responding, this is a common issue.

[TheMatt]

P2P also increases your risk for getting malware significantly. I am not a security expert, but I am sure the security team will back up that statement. I would recommend you remove Bittorrent.

[smz]

Ya and what's amazing Matt that according to http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

There are only two top end Anti-Virus solutions that even offer P2P protection. One is Kaspersky (my personal favorite) and the other is Bit Defender. Personally unless it is absolutely critical to get a certain file from bittorrent, uninstalling it would be a very wise idea. Since P2P isn't even supported here, I'll leave you with this advice, if you want to continue running it, at least get some software that can protect you from some potential serious infections.

Originally Posted by TheMatt

P2P also increases your risk for getting malware significantly. I am not a security expert, but I am sure the security team will back up that statement. I would recommend you remove Bittorrent.