Internet Explorer Freezes while online

[Mikk1]

I've tried to help myself by reading through all the forums I can find, but still have a situation where Internet Explorer freezes up for 20-60 seconds at random intervals after being online for a few minutes.

This is a Windows ME system, Internet Explorer 6.0.2800.1106 with all security patches current as of yesterday.

Modem (BCM V.90 56k) driver is the most current available.

Norton Anti-Virus current and system scans clean.

CW Shredder reports no sign of CWS.

Spybot current and reports no problems.

Ad-Aware SE current and reports no problems.

PC Bug Doctor current and reports no problems.

Using hosts file supplied by MVPS. Hosts file is read-only to prevent malicious modification.

Entire home recently rewired - it's not line noise.

Here's what HijackThis! has to say:

Platform: Windows ME (Win9x 4.90.3000)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
C:\WINDOWS\BCMDMMSG.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSTASK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SSDPSRV.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\SYMANTEC SHARED\CCEVTMGR.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\SYMANTEC SHARED\CCSETMGR.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\NORTON ANTIVIRUS\IWP\NPFMNTOR.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ZONELABS\VSMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\DEVLDR16.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\RESTORE\STMGR.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\TASKMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSTRAY.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WMIEXE.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\CREATIVE\SBLIVE\AUDIOHQ\AHQTB.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\SYMANTEC SHARED\CCPD-LC\SYMLCSVC.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\SYMANTEC SHARED\CCAPP.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\ZONE LABS\ZONEALARM\ZLCLIENT.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\SYMANTEC SHARED\SNDSRVC.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\RNAAPP.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\TAPISRV.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\DDHELP.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\PSTORES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\PROFILES\ERIC\DESKTOP\HIJACKTHIS.EXE

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://rd.yahoo.com/customize/sbcy/defaults/sb/*http://www.yahoo.com/search/ie.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://rd.yahoo.com/customize/sbcy/defaults/sp/*http://www.yahoo.com
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.yahoo.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://rd.yahoo.com/customize/sbcy/defaults/su/*http://www.yahoo.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://rd.yahoo.com/customize/sbcy/defaults/sb/*http://www.yahoo.com/search/ie.html
O2 - BHO: NAV Helper - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\ADOBE\ACROBAT 6.0\READER\ACTIVEX\ACROIEHELPER.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSDXM.OCX
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ScanRegistry] C:\WINDOWS\scanregw.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TaskMonitor] C:\WINDOWS\taskmon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCHealth] C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\Support\PCHSchd.exe -s
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [InkWatch] C:\PROGRA~1\GATEWAY\GATEWA~1\InkWatch.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Speed racer] C:\Program Files\Creative\PlayCenter\CTSRReg.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AudioHQ] C:\Program Files\Creative\SBLive\AudioHQ\AHQTB.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdReg] C:\WINDOWS\Updreg.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BCMDMMSG] BCMDMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Symantec Core LC] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Symantec NetDriver Monitor] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMNET~1\SNDMON.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] "C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [devldr16.exe] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\devldr16.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [SchedulingAgent] mstask.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [SSDPSRV] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ssdpsrv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [*StateMgr] C:\WINDOWS\System\Restore\StateMgr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [ccEvtMgr] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [ccSetMgr] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [NPFMonitor] C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\IWP\NPFMntor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [ScriptBlocking] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Script Blocking\SBServ.exe" -reg
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [TrueVector] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ZONELABS\VSMON.EXE -service
O4 - Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\AIM\AIM.EXE
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - https://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {A922B6AB-3B87-11D3-B3C2-0008C7DA6CB9} (InetDownload Class) - https://media.pineconeresearch.com/ActiveX/downloadcontrol.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A57B18E-2F5D-11D5-8997-00104BD12D94} (compid Class) - http://support.gateway.com/support/serialharvest/gwCID.CAB
--------------------------------

It seems like my requests just stop processing at random intervals, then kick back in. Last time it happened, I shelled out to DOS and attempted to do a ping, and that was delayed as well.

ISP (SBC Yahoo) says there are no network/latency issues on the lines I'm using, and they have absolutely no clue why this may be happening. I've received several messages where they attempt to steer me in troubleshooting circles.

This system was recently reformatted from scratch. After going through that much grief, I'd really like it to work properly again.

Many thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light on this.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[Mikk1]

Should also have mentioned:

Dial-up networking settings match those supplied by SBC/Yahoo.

 

[Slikkster]

Well, you said ping stalls, too, so I'd shy away from thinking it was an IE problem. It's more of a networking issue.

Why don't you try ditching the hosts file additions and go with a stock hosts file. Reboot.
See what happens online.

 

[ShadowBlade]

use firefox! ( http://www.mozilla.com/firefox )

 

[Mikk1]

Ditched the hosts file and went with a blank one. Shut down and restarted, still getting the pauses.

Don't imagine Firefox is going to do much good if even a ping can't get past whatever this is. Firefox does rock, but I don't expect it to perform miracles.

Anyone think this could be ZoneAlarm hosing something up? I'm not too thrilled about the idea of being online without a firewall, but that's about the only thing I haven't isolated.

Thanks.

Mike

 

[Slikkster]

well, you are using dialup, so your chances of some kind of intrusion are much less than an "always on" broadband connection that's not on a firewall. You could certainly do a quick test with it OFF.

Also, do you have a different dialup number you can try? At least rule that out. Could be reaching a bad modem on your current number.

Do you have full computer functionality while this pausing is occuring?

Have you tried running without Norton AV on?

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

haha, awesome

 

[Mikk1]

Have tried several different access numbers, so it isn't a bad modem on SBC's end.

Yes, everything else seems to run fine when this happens - normal startup speed and use of programs like Word, games, etc.

Have not tried running without Norton AV on. Just noticed that it also consumes over 12% of system resources, and after leaving my pc on overnight, it was down to 42% system resources without any programs open. Could this maybe be a case where the PC is simply running out of resources and throttles back the network connection until more memory/resources free up?

Will cross my fingers and then try isolating out Zone Alarm and/or NAV tonight.

Thanks again for your assistance - it is appreciated.

 

[Slikkster]

Have you done the simple stuff like clearing your Temporary Internet Files, as well as clearing your Windows\Temp folder?

 

[Mikk1]

Tried running without Zone Alarm, without NAV, and without both. Still no luck. Rebooted between each attempt.

Yes, have done all the easy stuff like dumping temp files, defragging, and so forth - plus, since I reformatted this thing a couple weeks ago, there isn't much on it to begin with.

Would reformat again if I thought it would solve the problem, but that doesn't seem likely
at this point. Maybe the modem is going bad??

 

[Nightfang]

I had a similar situation on my PC about 9 months ago, where I would try to open a website and it would take 5 - 10 seconds to do the DNS resolution and then bring me the website. Thought it was the internet until I saw the wife's computer hitting the site immediately. I fixed it by formatting and reloading XP.

You have ME installed, though. If you have 98, format and fall back to that. If you can, move forward to 2000 or XP.

A bad modem will cause all sorts of problems with a computer. Try a different modem.

Another thing to check - is your hard drive almost full? If it is, when you want to go to a website, IE has to clear some cache to allow the new stuff to load into it.

 

[Slikkster]

Check out this page. http://www.modemsite.com/56k/bcm.asp

Note there are newer drivers that provide for V92 functionality.

Here's the absolute latest for ME:

http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/getFile.asp?id=18972

Doesn't matter whether you have a Gateway pc or not...these should work regardless.

 

[Mikk1]

Just a note to thank everyone for their help so far. Problem is still happening. Reformatted again, and spent the past week reloading everything.

I'm back to where I was before - things still stall for no apparent reason.

Next step is to buy an upgrade and see if it happens with a different OS. I'm running out of options, other than just saying screw it and getting a new PC.

Appreciate everyone's help!