More Than One Program Problem?

Hello Everyone,
I recently developed some problems on a Dell Optiplex running Win 7 Pro. I did all the malware scans, and was told no malware was found, and to come here. I don't want to update to 10 if possible, because I have several older programs which won't run on 10, or so I'm told.

I think I have my windows updates turned off, because I had read that MS will load up Win 10, and you can't go back. Grumble, grumble. I just read the 2021 post on updates, it looks like I need a IT dept of 20 to sort all of that out. Apparently my Windows firewall isn't worthy? And yet if no problems were found, it (and MWB Prem) must be doing something right. At 70 and with some health issues, it's getting harder and harder to keep this thing running. Any help is always greatly appreciated.

The most obvious problem? I'm on DSL.. thru a modem.. and on occasion my network browser activity goes to zero (using Task Manager). The modem goes into some strange routine, that looks like it keeps "re-initializing". Internet connection is lost, and on the modem, the DSL and Internet lights drop.. and then appear to be trying to reconnect. The phone company says they see errors, and suggest I have phone wiring probs.. which I'm sure I don't because it's solid otherwise. Using one of the other system tools, I DID observe all KINDS of DSL data activity.. over the same period, when the "Firefox access" is basically disconnected. One error seen, said the video was "thrashing" (wtf?).. so I revised my windows setup options, for the simple screen, no shadows and a bunch of that. But usually about 11:30 PM, my computer (from my POV) goes off line. I have no idea what is actually being sent or received.. or if it's a domestic dispute between the processors? Who needs to screw with the election, when we have Microsoft?? Again any help, greatly appreciated. I can usually get around this thing pretty well, but it's just gone to overload, and I need some help. I'll look for a tin cup and some pencils.

 

Plodr,
Thanks for the reply. After leaving my 1st msg, I started going thru the UTube videos of common fix-it toys, since I didn't know quite where to begin. Great presentations btw! Tweaking.com looked like it might be worth the free price. After running all, (twice).. doing all of their prescribed stuff, the computer is quicker.. but I don't know exactly how much the freebie changes will actually do. I was going to ask if the Prem program is worth buying? My Updates are off. My Microsoft Security Essentials is up to date, and from a few comments here it may not matter if the MS Firewall is or not. Apparently I should opt for new/different FW? Suggestions? Looking at my desk, I have 3 modems laying here. They were more than willing to send them out to me, but I rotate them regularly, and it makes no difference. Like I said, using Task Manager, it showed NO Network activity, when it dropped out. But I'm not sure which other tool I had opened, which did show all kinds of network activity! (If that's possible). It did act like a update hang, in that every other internet connection was ignored. What are the odds of a ethernet card going bonkers, for 10-20 minutes, and then returning to business as usual for about 24 hours? Having been a Field Engineer, and working on CP/M machines in 1981.. hardware things don't usually heal themselves, unless in conjunction with the A/C cycling.. or a welder running in the next room over. This looks way too much like software.. and I don't know enough about what tests to run to monitor what's really happening, and know what I'm seeing. I did remove the Dell system service monitor. I have yet to see a hang today, but only been on here briefly. This evening might be interesting after running Tweakin.
Thanks again!! Jerry

 

It just went thru a internet hang up period. It takes 5-10 minutes typically. (I can just imagine my neighbor checking their emails, with the wizards at my phone company having our lines crossed-up! But I did look at the Action Center, and under Security, and Antivirus, it shows MS Sec Essentials, and MWB Premium, both ON. (I didn't know MWB was "anti virus".) Under Spyware, it shows those two ON, and Defender OFF. Internet Security settings, shown as OK, UAC on, NAP off. (My only network is between the computer ethernet and the modem). Is Malwarebytes Premium 4.3.0.98 full blown antivirus and antimalware?

 

OK.. FW and MWB are on, MSSE real time is off. And my settings match those above. Using the advanced tools Resource Monitor, (Network), it doesn't appear that the bandwidth or activity changes there, when the Internet connection is not allowed. But I don't know how to log that, to examine at what point things hang, or which services cause the problem. Or even if the Resource Mon is the best tool to use? Suggestions? I'll keep watch to see if it hangs.. and if not (and I don't end up with a virus).. I'll change start up to not include MSSE. Thanks again!

 

Well.. problems continue to persist. My ISP says they have seen excessive errors on my DSL log. I was told the modems will puke and try to reboot, to make clear, error-less communications. Oddly, it often appears shortly after 10 PM local time. But they still point the fingers at me. I purchased a giga-bit USB to Ethernet adapter.. which works, when everything else does. Not a fix. I ran new phone lines to the house and to the modem, turned off any noise producing fluorescent lights, etc. No joy. They tested the disconnected buried line, found one pair (of 3) slightly more lossey, so suggested I run on the best 2 pairs, with one for voice only, and the other for DSL only.. claiming that each then are "better". But Ohms law, still shows two parallel loads, driven by one long buried pair. Again no change. I did many Speedtests.. and at best I see 7.4 MBps max download, but when it drops, (and then recovers) I'm seeing only about 6MBps. Well THAT looks to me, like their signal/bandwidth takes a hit, when the 10:00 TV is over, and one last check is made, causing it to drop out, and reboot the modem. About 20 hrs ago, I looked to see a blue screen crash.. (apparently due to Wdf01000.sys). Is that USB-Ethernet adapter related?? Does anyone know of software that can monitor and log the network data and sources/destinations?