Surfing Hangup

[Bill Lane]

Hi All:

I wonder if anyone can tell me why when I'm surfing the internet that it
changes to the next page just like it should for five or six times, then
it will hang up (not go to the next page) for about 40 to 60 seconds,then
it will change just fine for another five or six pages.

System: Pentium 400MHZ MMX, 393Mb Ram, OS:Win98 with all updates, Browser:
IE 5.50, 56K Modem logs on at 37333, Also using: Zone Alarm, McAfee Virus-Scan
v 5.15, Pop-up Killer 1.45.2, MSN Messenger, and RamBooster 1.6.

ISP: Worldnet, and I use mostly Google as a search engine.

I've tried surfing with the add-on's disabled, but no change.

Any thoughts on this problem will be very much appreciated, and thanks ahead
of time.

Bill Lane

[glc]

What KIND of 56k modem? If it's a software controlled modem, this is common, especially on impaired lines which a 37333 connect is indicative of. Your best shot on lousy lines for a good stable connection is a US Robotics external 5686 or internal ISA hardware controlled 5687 modem.

[Bill Lane]

Hi glc:

Here's the info I have on my modem:

"56K Data Fax Voice Modem Non PnP ISA Slot

CMV 1456 VQH - X V.90

FCC ID: 200V23300350131

Firmware Upgrade Program 2.0, Rev. 11.1.10

56VQH-X.exe

tix2v90.exe

Modem on Com: 4 IRQ: 3 I/O: 02E8 - 02EF"

I guess it a software controlled modem, so I guess my next step is to keep
my eye out for the one like you suggested.

Thanks for your help, it's really appreciated !!!

Bill Lane

[glc]

Too bad - that's a hardware modem but it has a TI chipset - those aren't very good. You should be able to find a USR 5687 for less than $50 if you look around - that's what I use on my crapola line here - 37333 but stable as a rock.

[Bill Lane]

Thanks glc:

I'm already looking around for one

Bill Lane

[glc]

STOP THE PRESSES!

Computer Geeks has internal Supra Express ISA 2720's for $14!

[Bill Lane]

Hi again glc:

Thanks for the info !!!, that's the first place I went (Computer Geeks),
but I was looking for a US Robotics internal ISA hardware controlled 5687
modem.

I guess this internal Supra Express ISA 2720's is just as good or you
wouldn't have recommended it .

Anyway, I ordered it, should receive it soon,(UPS 2nd. Day).

Want to thank you again, I'll let you know how it works out when I get it
installed.

Bill Lane

[Bill Lane]

Hi glc:

Well I installed the modem, all went well, but I still have the same problem, hangs for a very long time every 5-6 pages.

The new modem logs on at 45333 now, and that's a lot better.

Any more thoughts on this problem? I'm wondering if I've got my
Virtual Memory set right.

I specified my own settings, it's on the same drive in a separate
parition G:\1799mb free

My System: Pentium II 400MHz MMX, 393Mb Ram, OS:Win98 with all updates, IE 5.5, Outlook Express 5.

I've cleared all cache, temp files, recycle bin, and all hidden files with Evidence Eliminator. I've even tried shutting all applications like McAfee, Zone Alarm, Popup Killer, and MS Messenger, but still no help.

Any thoughts on what to try next will sure be appreciated !!!

Thanks again,

Bill Lane

[glc]

For troubleshooting purposes, go into the modem's advanced properties, find the Extra Settings box, and put the following entry in it:

+MS=V34

This will disable V.90, you will connect at 28800, but will rule out modem issues. If you no longer have the problem, you can remove the string and we can work on finding a compromise speed.

[Bill Lane]

Hi glc:

Well it logged on at 31200, I went to Google, and typed in Rose Buds, and started clicking Next, the pages seemed to change quickly, but a little slower in loading, then it hung up trying to go to page 7, then 17, then 20, then at page 25, it changed ok, but loaded the first two images, then hung for 55 sec. before starting to finish loading.

I can't really say if it's any better or not, but it seems that the problem is still there.

Does this tell you anything? :-)

Bill Lane

[glc]

It tells me that it's not modem or phone line related - it's an ISP problem or some kind of configuration issue in your computer.

[Bill Lane]

Hi Again glc:

What do you think I should look for as far as configurations go?

My ISP is AT&T Worldnet, haven't heard anyone complain about them, have you?

Should I take out this ( +MS=V34 )?

Thanks again,

Bill Lane

[glc]

Yes, take that out now, you might as well get the speed that you can. AT&T is supposed to be one of the best.

I would uninstall all your 3rd party utilities that you mentioned - and to completely uninstall ZA, you need to look on their website. I do suspect one of those utilities highly, when ZA gets corrupted it has to be completely removed, not just disabled. Same goes for Mcafee, I have personally seen it wreak havoc on a computer. PUK could be causing it - its possible - and what do you need Ram Booster for?

[Bill Lane]

Okay glc:

I'll get started on it, as fas as Ram Booster, I just thought I'd try it to see if it would with this problem.

I'll let you know what happens,

Bill Lane

[Sauron]

My "winmodem" connect at 48,000 to 50,000...hehe...

[Sauron]

And AT&T was the best till they were broken up...now they are in the top 10, but they aren't at the top anymore And my winmodem is a Creative Labs...it works great for me And I got bad lines I think.

[Sauron]

You might also just try installing and/or getting a new line from your modem to your phone jack.

[Bill Lane]

Hi Again glc:

Okay, I removed McAfee anti-virus, Popup Killer, RamBooster, Zone Alarm, I did it in stages, each time I removed a utility, I rebooted and logged on to see what the results were, when I took the McAfee out I thought we had found the problem area, it seemed like the pages would snap right to the next page, the pages loaded about the same speed as it normally does, but after about 15 pages it hung up again for about 55 sec. then it was okay for about another 15-20 pages, so, I removed Zone Alarm, rebooted, logged on, and as far as I can tell it seemed like it was a little worse, hung up more often, pages didn't load as fast as they did when Zone Alarm was installed, I guess that sounds crazy, but that's the way it looked to me.

I still have MS Messenger installed, and Rain running in the StartUp folder.

I hope this may have told you something, let me know if you think I should remove MS Messenger, and Rain, and try again.

Thank,

Bill Lane

[Bill Lane]

Thanks Sauron:

A new phone line came with the new modem.

I'm logging on at 41333 now.

Bill Lane

[glc]

Rain..........you shouldn't need that with your processor unless you only have a passive heatsink.......kill it. Did you look at the ZA website for complete manual removal instructions?

I really doubt that MS Mess would do it, but stranger things have happened. What else is running in the tasklist?

[Bill Lane]

Hi glc:

I couldn't find anything about removing Zone Alarm at their site, but when I removed it from Add / Remove Files, I went with the option to remove all files.

I have a dual fan cooler on my slot 1 CPU .

Tasklist: Task Schedular= paused, Volum Control, Logitech Cordless Mouse, Adaptech CD-Wizard, RealAudioPlayer 8 Basic,
Evidence Eliminator, Adaptec Create CD, MS Messenger= not signed in, Rain.

I installed Rain if I can remember that far back, because I got a message (popped up) that my CPU was over the limit, but I will disable it, we'll see what happens. I'm not sure if I can set the
limit in the Bios if I get that message again.

Thanks again,

Bill Lane

[peterd]

Bill,
Could I ask you a question? I think that I am having similar problems like you, but want to make sure its the same thing.
When I am connected and surfing around, when I click on a link on a page (it doesn't matter which website I'm on) it will work normally for me for about 5 links or clicks, then if I try to click on a link nothing will happen, the cursor doesn't even change to the hourglass thing. I will just keep clicking until it does work, which for me has taken up to maybe 1/2 minute.
Is this what you are experiencing?
I'm using a 56K supra express serial external modem.
Pete

[Bill Lane]

Hi peterd:

It sounds like the same problem to me.

Stay tuned, we are looking for the problem :-)

Bill Lane

[peterd]

Ok great. I was going to post the same question and then saw yours first. Let me know if I can help at all on my side.
Pete

[mark70]

Bill did you say your swap file(virtual memory) was on the G partition?? If so where is your op system located ?On C drive? I was always under the impression that the swap file had to at least be on the same or next partition to the op system (D). Just for SH*** and GIGGLES try to move this file to the D partion or even let Mickeysoft manage it again and see what happens. Also , how much ram do you have-could be a too little or too much problem there also(win me??) Reguards Mark

[glc]

http://www.zonelabs.com/services/support_install_98.htm

[Bill Lane]

Hi Again glc:

Okay, I copied ZoneLab's instruction, and followed it to the letter, the only problem was some of the files were already gone, I guess as a result of me removing Zone Alarm from the Add and Remove Programs, anyway that was a real chore there in the registry, but I checked off each step as I completed it, and my computer seems to work okay, so I guess I didn't screw anything up.

I also let Windows manage my virtual memory now.

I logged on tonight at 41333, but it seems like it seems like it's different every time I log on.

Anyway, still have the same problem, I went to Google, selected images, typed in Plastic, and the second page hung for 55 sec.
Pages seem to load okay once they start, but about every 15-20 pages it will hang for about 55 sec. Then I changed my search to Chrome, same thing.

The pages really snap to the next page when it don't hang.

So? What do you think ? Also I disabled Task Scheduler, and MS Messenger, after logging on.

I hope this gives you a clue as to what to look at next :-) because I sure don't have one:-(

Thanks,

Bill Lane

[Bill Lane]

Hi glc:

I don't know if this helps in diagnosing my problem, but my connection drops, mostly right after logging on, but sometimes after being on line for some time.

I have my "Disconnect If Idle For More Than" left unchecked.

And my connection is hardly ever the same, for example today I logged on at 42667, but could be anything up to 45333.

Bill Lane

[TheOldMan]

Hi Bill,

You may have a problem with your temp files or the cookies. Check this link.
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/answers3.htm#freezing

Also note at the end, they discuss the "Tracker.class" installed as spyware on many sites. THis can also account for the behavior and is worth looking for.

Good luck.
The Old Man

[Bill Lane]

Hi Old Man:

I copied that artical on freezing, and checked the things it said to do. And I didn't have "Tracker Class" file.

But I guess somehow during the removal of the Zone Alarm I must have goofed, I started gettina blue screen discribing a problem that I couldn't understand, and it told me to run the Windows Setup disk to correct it.

So I did just that, but then I started getting notices of VXD files missing, and blue screen again, so I formatted my C:\ drive, and ran my MS Backup, and I'm back to normal, I think :-)

I'm gonna leave things alone for a while, but thanks to everyone for all the input, I really appreciated it !!!

Bill Lane