Inactivity on one computer brings down network?

[ledzepp98]

I have a linksys 4 port router sharing my cable modem connection, with 4 computers connected. When my computer is actively using the internet (using internet explorer, leaving outlook express open to check mail does not have the same effect), all computers can use the internet at regular speeds (not counting the once in a while slowdowns). However, when my computer is left idle for more than maybe 15 minutes, the other computers on the network can barely access the internet. It works, but painfully slow. Once i open internet explorer on my computer, there is an initial delay of a few seconds, but then it works at normal speed and so do the other computers on the network. My computer uses win2k, the others are winXP, win98, and win98. The strange thing is that i can't recall changing anything (hardware or software) recently, and i can't imagine what would cause this. also, i had a hub between the line from the router an my computer, with only my computer plugged in (i sometimes plug my laptop into the hub as well) and i removed it to see if that was the problem (even though it has been there for a while), it didn't help.
I'm not sure what information will help in diagnosing this problem. Could changing my ethernet card help? any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[Oaf357]

Do you have ICS set up on ANY of your PCs?

 

[ledzepp98]

a while back i had ics set up on my computer (win2k) and used 2 network cards so i can hook up my laptop. i stopped doing that and got the hub a while back as an alternative. that was in use for months before this problem appeared.
is it possible a service in the background is causing the internet connection to "time out"? if so, which one (i haven't touched them in a while)?
also, why would my computer effect the entire network???
and thanks for the reply, Oaf357

 

[Oaf357]

Two things:

Are you sure you got rid of ICS and ICF?

On the computer in question, do a netstat -e and a nestat -s and see if it's getting excessive errors.

 

[ledzepp98]

i just tried netstat -e and a nestat -s and got 0 errors with both... although i did just swap network cards. i am now going through the hardware wizard and removing a ton of hardware that is no longer in the system but was not properly removed before... in a little while i'm going to get some coffee and leave the system idel to see if the problem persists... thanks

 

[Oaf357]

Let us know how it goes.

 

[ledzepp98]

i went to get some coffee and everything seems to be working still... i'll know for sure later or in the morning when i can leave my computer idle for a while... this was a pressing issue because this is a home office and my father was getting upset that he couldn't access the internet with his computer. anyway, too much work to do now, i'll give a final thumbs up later (hopefully) and thanks for your input...

 

[Oaf357]

No problem.