Communication Problem

My computer stops communicating with the internet after 2-3 hours. I don't get a message that there's no network connection, it just stops transmitting and receiving data. If I disconnect the internet connection I then get the no network connection message.

I'm running Windows XP SP2. Don't ask me for a "manufacturer", I can give you any specs you want for hardware/software.

 

Laptop? Heating issue perhaps?

 

I have a desktop, no router. The only real time protection I'm running is AVG Free 8.5.

If it was a heating issue the computer would crash, it wouldn't only be that the computer stops talking to the internet even though it's still connected, on a consistent and repeating basis, with no other problems.

It's a software or Windows XP problem. I appreciate the efforts.

Now that I think about it, it started after I went through the Malware Removal Procedure last week, so it could be that the computer is trying to access an infected file that was removed or quarantined and it's getting hung up.

Only someone who's proficient in Windows XP will be able to solve this.

 

Thanks plodr, I just did that, let's hope it works. It didn't happen at all yesterday even though the box was checked. I'll give it another day or two and see if it's fixed.

 

It's happened twice in the 4 hours since my last post. Both times I looked at the Power Management tab after I rebooted and the box was checked again.

 

a) One process was missing wauclt.exe (User Name SYSTEM)

b) Three new processes were started ntvdm.exe and wowexec.exe (both with User Name of my login), and another svchost.exe (User Name SYSTEM)

 

I did a quick scan with malwarebytes and the only "problems" it found was that I disabled the Microsoft Security Center AntiVirus, Firewall, and Updates notifications. I attached the log in case you want to see it.

MS still offers updates for SP2, I downloaded about 15 Windows XP and Security updates 2 weeks ago. 2 of the updates on the list failed to download even when I tried to download them separately. It was after this that I started having this problem.

Since you told me what wauclt.exe is I ended the process from Task Manager and my internet access speed immediately increased. I think this might be the cause of the problem. I don't download the "Automatic Updates" from the Updates site. When it checked to see if I had the "latest update software" and downloaded this week's version I'm guessing it set wauclt.exe to load on start up.

It's continuously trying to communicate with the Updates site. That's what's been slowing down my internet access. I've seen this before in Windows when it encounters repeated communication errors.

I checked the Start up Programs Module in SpyBot and it doesn't show up there. How do I disable this from loading on start up?

 

This may not fix the problem, but from your post I see two possible software problems.
One, AVG 8.5 went obsolete a year ago. Update to AVG 9.0 and get all the updates.

Two, Windows XP SP3 has been out for so long now that you should already have it.
Do the update as soon as you can.

Is your NIC built into your motherboard or is it a plug in PCI card?
If a card, take it out, clean it off of any dust and dirt and firmly reseat it.

If on the mobo, check your mobo for dirt buildup and also for bulging capacitors.

I'm just thinking of things that will cost you Nothing, but a few minutes of your time and things I would do automatically, (since I'm a PC service tech).
I've salvaged several ailing PC's by just giving them a good cleaning.

Good Luck,
the Shadow :cool

 

This time it took 4 hours for communication to cease so I still don't know what's causing it.

I'll do the inspection and cleaning and I'll upgrade to AVG 9.0 when I get back on Sunday. It's possible there's a conflict between the WIndows XP SP2 Updates and/or Security Updates and AVG 8.5.

I can't upgrade to Windows XP SP3. I've tried it 5 times since it was first released, the last time 3 weeks ago. It downloads, gets through 2/3 of the installation, then freezes. Each time I had to reboot and Repair the Windows Installation.