WinXP: Net browsing/connection lost, yet still connected...

Hello everyone. I have a very frustrating problem, and found this site. Here's the situation:

I have a linksys wireless router, conencted via Cat5 to a cable modem. A desktop server connected to the router via Cat5, and a laptop connected via Wireless. Both computers run XP Pro SP3.

The Laptop NEVER has a problem and always remains connected to the Internet.

The desktop will disconnect after a period of idle time. Researching my problem I found the issue about the NIC card going into powersave mode. I unchecked it, and this helped to expand the amount of time before a disconnect. Previously it was when the monitor turned off (no screen saver, just a power down monitor) after 20 minutes. Now it seems like the desktop must be idle for a couple hours. So I let the desktop sit, move the mouse around to turn the monitor back on, and can't open any websites, check email, nothing. Keep in mind, the laptop is just fine. Can't repair the connection, only solution is to restart. Both computers configd the same: McAfee Anti Virus, no ZoneAlarm, running PeerGuardian2, firewalls are all turned off, receiving firewall through the router.

I've tried typing in an IP address into IE or Firefox doesn't work. Also, I started downloading a large file this morning, and when I checked it, it is still downloading. I can also ping Google's IP with the CMD command. Any other Net browsing or anything else doesn't work.... Seems like the connection had to previously be made and active, and it keeps going.

Tried logging into my router from IE and got an "Internet Explorer cannot display this webpage." It was immediate, it didn't even try to connect, but just popped up as soon as I hit enter.

Clicked the connectivity diagnostics link that Windows provides. Here are the results:

WinSock status
info All base service provider entries are present in the WinSock catalog
info The WinSock Service provider chains are valid
error Provider entry MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP] could not perform simple loopback communication. Error 10055.
info Provider entry MSAFD Tcpip [UDP/IP] passed the loopback communication test
info Provider entry RSVP UDP Service Provider passed the loopback communication test
error Provider entry RSVP TCP Service Provider could not perform simple loopback communication. Error 10055.
error A connectivity problem exists with an installed LSP
action Automated repair: Rest WinSock catalog
action Successfully executed: netsh winsock reset catalog
info System restart required.

So I suppose this is why I need to restart to get back a connection.... Question is, what's causing this and how do I fix it? Anyone have any ideas or a place to start?

Thanks,
Joel

 

OK.....when you get the problem Goto START | RUN and type CMD and OK.

Then type "ipconfig /all" in the command window and post the results here.

 

Hi Jim,

Thanks for responding. I ended up solving it by using WinXPs system restore (never thought I'd use that feature.... normally I turn it off).