Windows ME loses internet connection after several minutes

[Hork]

An oldie but a goodie... I'm trying to help a friend troubleshoot this.

I start up Windows ME and can browse in either IE or Firefox for several minutes, and then I start getting "Page not found" errors in the browser. Any updates or downloads also stop.

I've disabled all startup programs, and even the antivirus program, but it is still happening.

I installed a wireless adapter to make sure it wasn't the network card, but it still happens even though the wireless adapter indicates the signal is strong.

It sounds like a virus or spyware... but I've scanned with a few different spyware and adware and virus scanners and it is still happening.

Any ideas? It is an old DELL Dimension 8100 with 256MB Ram. It seems to be running find until the internet connection goes... everything else still runs fine.

 

[John]

[*]If you reboot does it start working again?
[*]If you let the system sit for a period of time does it start working again?
[*]If you go to start > run > winipcfg does your nic still have a valid IP?
[*]Run this: http://www.elitekiller.com/files/WinsockFix.exe

 

[Hork]

Originally posted by: John
[*]If you reboot does it start working again? -- Yes, but then fails several minutes later
[*]If you let the system sit for a period of time does it start working again? -- No
[*]If you go to start > run > winipcfg does your nic still have a valid IP? -- Yes, and I've also installed a wireless adapter, and it still has connection. Just all requests to the internet to load a page or download something are not working.
[*]Run this: http://www.elitekiller.com/files/WinsockFix.exe -- I was really hoping this would work, but it didn't.

I appreciate your help.... what can I try next?

 

[Zolty]

Originally posted by: Hork

Originally posted by: John
[*]If you reboot does it start working again? -- Yes, but then fails several minutes later
[*]If you let the system sit for a period of time does it start working again? -- No
[*]If you go to start > run > winipcfg does your nic still have a valid IP? -- Yes, and I've also installed a wireless adapter, and it still has connection. Just all requests to the internet to load a page or download something are not working.
[*]Run this: http://www.elitekiller.com/files/WinsockFix.exe -- I was really hoping this would work, but it didn't.

I appreciate your help.... what can I try next?

replace the ME system, upgrade to xp/2k, if it wont run xp then upgrade to 98se

 

[Hork]

Originally posted by: Zolty

Originally posted by: Hork

Originally posted by: John
[*]If you reboot does it start working again? -- Yes, but then fails several minutes later
[*]If you let the system sit for a period of time does it start working again? -- No
[*]If you go to start > run > winipcfg does your nic still have a valid IP? -- Yes, and I've also installed a wireless adapter, and it still has connection. Just all requests to the internet to load a page or download something are not working.
[*]Run this: http://www.elitekiller.com/files/WinsockFix.exe -- I was really hoping this would work, but it didn't.

I appreciate your help.... what can I try next?

replace the ME system, upgrade to xp/2k, if it wont run xp then upgrade to 98se

ROFL!

Any other ideas about why the internet connection seems to die after a few minutes?

 

[Hork]

Found it! Looks like it was a problem with Zone Alarm Free Edition... after I uninstalled it, I haven't had any trouble with the internet shutting off after several minutes.

Anyone have a good recommendation for an Windows ME-compatible firewall?

 

[John]

Originally posted by: Hork
Found it! Looks like it was a problem with Zone Alarm Free Edition... after I uninstalled it, I haven't had any trouble with the internet shutting off after several minutes.

Anyone have a good recommendation for an Windows ME-compatible firewall?

Use a cable/dsl router and skip a software firewall.

 

[Hork]

I have one... but I was troubleshooting this for a friend. Nothing indicated the firewall was running... it had just been installed, which seems to have been causing the issue.