Internet stops working, yet connection still present

[rastaman]

This is the weirdest thing ever.
1) my internet (dorm LAN) works for 5 - 10 minutes
2) every browser (IE and foxfire) and every other program that tries to connect cannot after 5 - 10 minutes
3) AIM still works for a little after everything else stops working
4) it still says I have a connection, yet I cannot ping anything
5) I restart, and the process is repeated

1) I released and renewed my IP
2) scanned with latest spyware and virus defintitions
3) multiple jacks in the wall produce the same problem
4) wireless connectivity does not produce the problem
5) no one else is having the problem in my dorm

I have tried everything. Please help!

 

[amdskip]

Does your network card have the option enable to save power and turn itself off? Have you tried a new network card? Network cards do funny things when they die.

 

[rastaman]

I do not think that it the problem. It is a Thinkpad T40p, and AIM still works fine, just nothing else.

 

[Erasmus-X]

You might have a damaged Winsock stack. Try repairing it with this tool.

 

[Slikkster]

Have you contacted the college's IT department? Very well could be a physical issue (cabling, switch, hub, etc.). I'm having the same issue at work; intermittent loss of connectivity that affects several pc's in my workspace. The only *fix* for me so far is to switch between the default gateway and a proxy that I know about.

 

[rastaman]

It has gotten a bit better but for reasons that elude me.
It will stop working.
I will run a port scanner and a packet sniffer just to check things out, and will start working again after that.