malke

The only way to figure this out is by very methodical troubleshooting of
both the software and hardware.

Software - Start by doing clean-boot troubleshooting:

Clean boot in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353
Clean-boot advanced troubleshooting in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316434
and How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560

You have to make one change at a time and test extensively after making
each change. Make notes about what you do.

Another good way to determine if the problem is caused by software
(Windows) or hardware is to boot with Knoppix, a Linux distro that runs
from cd. If the networking stays fine under Knoppix, then you know that
something you've got running in Windows is causing the problem. If the
problem persists under a different operating system, then you know the
problem is hardware.

You can get Knoppix from www.knoppix.net. You need a fast Internet
connection and third-party burning software to burn the .iso.

Hardware - If doing a clean-boot doesn't help and the problems continue
under Knoppix, then you need to start swapping out hardware. You say
you've already swapped cables, so you need to start with the NIC. Swap
it out for a known-working one. If doing that doesn't help, swap out
the router. I don't care if the other computer works with the router;
if you've eliminated everything else but the router and still have the
problem, you've Sherlocked the answer.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

nishant shah6+!j{r…¨]Šç.²è¨žé¢rº,¡û\¢

Does IPCONFIG /release and IPCONFIG /RENEW work? or the only way is to
restart the PC?
I am trying to figure out if the NIC card is dropping the connection.
--
Regards,
Nishant Shah

king blah*)àv¡v+ºË¢{&‰Ê貇ír‰

Hi! Thanks for the help so far, I'll give those things a try when I next can.
Just a quick update:

Firstly I can't swap out NIC's as they are built into my motherboard.
Secondly, the problem just occured and I was on MSN messenger talking to
someone and also downloading the Knoppix ISO. When the problem occured, I
could continue talking to my friend on MSN messenger and the download for the
Knoppix ISO continued, but i couldn't connect to any websites or initaite any
new conversations (my messages didn't get through).
This makes the problem even more odd as I have no idea what is causing it.
Any ideas?

malke

You can't swap out NIC's built into a motherboard but you can disable
them and put in a PCI NIC and use it. Get Knoppix from a different
computer.

It sounds like any time you are trying to pull a fair amount of data you
lose connectivity. This points to hardware. I'm afraid I don't have any
more ideas for you except to do the methodical troubleshooting I
already suggested. Perhaps having a computer professional come on-site
would be better for you; only you can make that decision.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

king blah*)àv¡v+ºË¢{&‰Ê貇ír‰

Hi. It's a shame this problem hasn't been resolved. I will try the methodical
troubleshooting, but in the end I think a reinstall of Windows XP will just
be quicker and easier than having to pay for NIC's and Computer professionals
to come (which i, as a student, can't afford).
I can continue downloading Knoppix on this computer as I said when the
internet stalls, downloads continue and conversations continue, it just seems
to be new connections that are refused.

Thanks for all your help anyway.

malke

If the problem is hardware, a reinstall of Windows will not solve
anything. A NIC can be purchased for as little as $5USD; a decent one
costs $10. Finding out what is wrong takes time, patience, luck, and
skill.

Good luck and I hope you solve your problem.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User