Weird, intermittent browsing issues

FlimsyFeet · 25-06-2007, 11:55

When I click on an http link (from favourites, address bar or a link on a webpage) 90% of the time the new page opens up fine with no problems.

However, occasionally I get some weird things going on:
Sometimes the browser will just sit there, waiting indefinitely.
Sometimes the page will load, but will be missing formatting, fonts or images.
Sometimes I'll get the wrong page displayed - one that I've viewed a few moments ago at a different url, or a single image from a previously-viewed page.
Sometimes I'll get a HTTP 400 bad request error.
Sometimes I'll get an error saying "there is no webpage configured at this address".

If I click refresh, or click the link again, then much of the time the page will then load up correctly.

This behaviour started about 3 weeks ago. Formerly ntl, Nottingham area.

I normally use a router, but I tested it with the PC plugged directly into the cable modem and I get the same behaviour.

This stuff happens all day, it's not limited to peak times.

It's not restricted to a particular site, can happen with any.

IE6 and Firefox 2 exhibit the same behaviour.

VM technical support tell me there's nothing wrong with my internet connection or cable modem.

Tried flushing the dns cache, did not help.

What else can I try?

25-06-2007, 12:04

install adwatch to firefox and see if it still does the same. This could explain the hanging as I often get it with things like googleads loading (pain in the backside) not sure about it loading a cached page have you cleaned all your temp files? maybe run ccleaner and reset browser defaults

FlimsyFeet · 26-06-2007, 15:37

I don't know what you mean by "install adwatch to firefox". Is that a firefox add-on? Where can I find it?

I installed CCleaner and used it to clean out all temporary files, but I'm still getting the weird browsing behaviour described above.

Vorbis · 02-07-2007, 00:05

I'm getting pretty much exactly the same symptoms, I'm from Leeds LS27 (ex C&W) area. I've tried different NIC's, with and without firewall/router, unplugging cablemodem and leaving for 10 mins etc.

One peculiar problem I've noticed is that http://192.168.100.1/ for cablemodem and a similar page for my router also sometimes fail to load or load very slowly.

The only things I can think that have changed on my pc recently are a driver for my NIC via Window's Update (which is why i tried a different NIC) and the virgin media webproxy removal.

If anyone has any insight into this I'd be very much appreciative.

FlimsyFeet · 02-07-2007, 14:35

My issue is still present, but I've noticed something interesting. I've now plugged my router back in; there is a wireless access point plugged into the router's port #2. The internet connection on the scond PC in another room that connects through this point seems to be working OK. This suggests that it is something corrupt on PC #1 that is causing the problems. Could it be Winsock corruption? Does that cause intermittent problems as described above, or just a general loss of connectivity?

Anyway, I'm going to try repairing Winsock first; if that doesn't work, I think I'm going to have to reinstall Windows XP.

FlimsyFeet · 25-07-2007, 14:09

Well, I did eventually reinstall Windows - but the problem remians!

All I've installed are m/board + video card dirvers, firewall (Kerio) and antivirus (AVG).

I again tried pluggin the PC directly into the cablemodem, and also tried a different ethernet cable - still problems. Assuming that the internet connection is OK (because the second PC didn't have any problems - or could that have been a lucky result? Probably need to test it out for a longer stretch of time to make sure) the only other thing to try is a new NIC (currently using the LAN port bulit in to the motherbaord).

Is there any free diagnostic software that can "stress test" your network adapter to find out if there's no hardware problem?

jkat · 25-07-2007, 16:47

u mentioned wireless connection, maybe there is another in your area (neighbour) and u are trying to connect or are connected through their unprotected connection??

FlimsyFeet · 25-07-2007, 21:04

No, the second PC is definitely connecting through my wireless access point.

FlimsyFeet · 26-07-2007, 20:59

I think it may have been Sunbelt/Kerio that was causing the problems!

I uninstalled it - so I'm using the windows xp sp2 firewall (and the router blocks incoming traffic) and browsing seems to be back to normal!

Shame really, as I'ved used Kerio for years and always liked it (even remeber when it was Tiny personal firewall).

jkat · 26-07-2007, 21:08

glad u got it sorted

m0rris0n · 08-08-2007, 22:27

Hi there, im having exactly the same problem since removal of proxies, its driving me mad!!! only thing is ive never heard of sunbelt kerio:S

davedefeet · 21-08-2007, 00:13

If you use win 2000/XP/Vista try this

go to RUN (windows key and R)
type cmd and click OK
type ipconfig /flushdns then press ENTER
wait until it finishes

try browsing..

If it works, it's because the previous DNS cache was via a Proxy server, which may still be there, but you are no longer automatically being forced to use it.

If you try using a "VALID" proxy, by adding it via LAN Settings, you will probably see a VM page that tells you to remove the Proxy from LAN settings, you won't be able to browse until you remove the proxy.

There is "rare" logic in the reasoning behind VM removing the proxies from broadband connections. The Proxies were overloaded and prone to issues with secure sites etc, many of them were designed for dial-up 56k connections originally, ntl:/VM tech support used to take many calls from customers with browsing issues due to bad proxies.

I'm afraid that without Proxies, browsing to sites that you visit for the first time may be slow, but the temp internet files on you PC will help alot, try keeping the temp internet file settings to < 100 MB or you'll end up with problems later.

Oh and if sites don't load first time, try ctrl and F5 which will refresh the page from the original server and then refresh your temp internet files for that page properly.

I used to work for Virgin Media, but I'm K Now

simbr · 21-08-2007, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by davedefeet

The Proxies were overloaded and prone to issues with secure sites etc, many of them were designed for dial-up 56k connections originally, ntl:/VM tech support used to take many calls from customers with browsing issues due to bad proxies.

The proxies have never directly caused problems with secure sites since they only intercept traffic on port 80, not port 443. The only issues I've ever seen that they have caused was when remote sites blocked a particular proxy, the ebay/yahoo login issue that existed at one point. The only proxies I've ever known to become overloaded at peak times was the edin set.

davedefeet · 22-08-2007, 01:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by simbr

The proxies have never directly caused problems with secure sites since they only intercept traffic on port 80, not port 443. The only issues I've ever seen that they have caused was when remote sites blocked a particular proxy, the ebay/yahoo login issue that existed at one point. The only proxies I've ever known to become overloaded at peak times was the edin set.

Believe me and many ntl:/Virgin Media customers, whether as an indirect (or otherwise) cause, when Cable Modem connections were passed through a local Cache Server, it caused some or "ALL" secure sites not to allow the user to get past the login screen. More often, whole areas had no browsing at all; Now the proxies are (mostly) by-passed, it's not going to happen..... oooerrr let me qualify that, it won't to be due to a PROXY/CACHE issue, which was the USUAL cause!

The negatives are slightly slower browsing or more importantly no automatic back-up cache if a DNS server goes down.

I used to work for Virgin Media, but I'm K Now