[strate]

Hello.

I previously used a D-link router which died after an electric blackout. This was replaced by some unknown brand router ("Mici") which seems to be some cheap copy. On a 2mbit (A)DSL connection this new router gave me only 0.5mbit speed. Recently, this router has been giving me trouble, with difficulties to connect etc. I've had to restart it, the computer, and reset things in some random order. I've also had some issues with trojans and mal/spyware, on the main computer (there's 3 computers connected).

Yesterday, the router stopped cooperating at all, and refused to connect despite several attempts to reset it and reconfigure the settings to the default. So, again, it was replaced, this time with a D-Link DIR-100.

Using the main computer, I set the new D-Link up using the CD that came with it, but at the final stage (Verifying your internet connection) it gives me an error telling me to check my cables and internet settings.
Trying the same procedure on one of the other 2 computers worked however.

Issue: Computer number 2 and 3 can now connect to the internet through the new D-Link (though still only at 0.5 speed..!?). The main computer can't connect at all, and simply plugging it into the router makes all 3 computers unable to access the internet!? Plugging it out solves that problem. The main issue is the unability to connect, the reduced speed is not as big of a concern, although that has been bugging me for a long time now.

Since it seems the issue seems to be somewhere around the main computer, I'm close to desperately reinstalling the whole thing or doing a XP Repair, but I wont do that until there's no other resort..
Thanks in advance!

[JohnWill]

Well, since the reduced speed happens with multiple routers, my guess is that the speed issue is an ISP issue and not a router issue.

As far as the main computer not connecting, it sounds like clearly that main computer has the problem.

Let's try connecting the main computer to the router by itself and then posting the following information.


Try these simple tests.

Hold the Windows key and press R, then type CMD (COMMAND for W98/WME) to open a command prompt:

In the command prompt window that opens, type type the following commands one at a time, followed by the Enter key:

NOTE: For the items below in red surrounded with < >, see comments below for the actual information content, they are value substitutions from the previous IPCONFIG command output! Do NOT type <computer_IP_address> into the command, that won't work.

IPCONFIG /ALL

PING <computer_IP_address>

PING <default_gateway_address>

PING <dns_servers>

PING 209.131.36.159

PING yahoo.com

Right click in the command window and choose Select All, then hit Enter to copy the contents to the clipboard.
Paste the results in a message here.

<computer_IP_address> - The IP Address of your computer, obtained from the IPCONFIG command above.

<default_gateway_address> - The IP address of the Default Gateway, obtained from the IPCONFIG command above.

<dns_servers> - The IP address of the first (or only) address for DNS Servers, obtained from the IPCONFIG command above.

If you are on a machine with no network connection, use a floppy, USB disk, or a CD-RW disk to transfer a text file with the information to allow pasting it here.

[TerryNet]

Have you connected a computer directly to the modem (remember to power cycle it) and confirmed that you still get .5 Mbps download speed?

[strate]

I've attached the results from the ping commands, in a txt file.

Well, since the reduced speed happens with multiple routers, my guess is that the speed issue is an ISP issue and not a router issue.

Possibly, but wouldn't it then be pretty odd that the change in speed occured exactly when changing from router #1 to #2? Still paying for 2mbit after all...? Wouldn't be too surprised if there's some messed up setting somewhere - by me - to be honest.

Have you connected a computer directly to the modem (remember to power cycle it) and confirmed that you still get .5 Mbps download speed?

I have, but only with the main computer so far. This did not work even back when the connection worked on that computer, it only gave me a "limited connection" (aka none) message or such. I have yet to try connecting another computer straight through the modem however.

Thank you both, for the help so far.

[JohnWill]

TCP/IP stack repair options for use with Windows XP with SP2/SP3.

Start, Run, CMD to open a command prompt:

In the command prompt window that opens, type type the following commands:

Note: Type only the text in bold for the following commands.

Reset TCP/IP stack to installation defaults, type: netsh int ip reset reset.log

Reset WINSOCK entries to installation defaults, type: netsh winsock reset catalog

Reboot the machine.


Connect the main machine directly to the modem (and cycle power on the modem for 30 seconds), then do the ping tests again.

[strate]

Ping test #2 attached. There's no DNS...?

[TerryNet]

Really strange that a default Gateway was assigned an APIPA. Try ...

(From a JohnWill post)

TCP/IP stack repair options for use with Windows XP with SP2 or SP3.

Start, Run, CMD, OK to open a command prompt.

Reset WINSOCK entries to installation defaults: netsh winsock reset catalog

Reset TCP/IP stack to installation defaults. netsh int ip reset reset.log

Reboot the machine.

[strate]

Ok, I tried it again in the other order as suggested.
The computer is not supposed to be plugged into either the router or modem during the winsock/tcpip reset - correct? Also, upon plugging it into the modem after the "reset-reboot" and modem powercycle I still get the "limited connectivity" message at the taskbar.

Attached is the ping test #3 (no change?).

[JohnWill]

That's somewhat odd, you shouldn't be seeing a Default Gateway.

Please post a HijackThis 2.00.2 Log here.

[TerryNet]

I owe you a small apology--somehow I completely skipped over John's asking for the stack reset; I should not have asked for it again (although there have been occasional cases of it curing something the second time).

[strate]

I owe you a small apology--somehow I completely skipped over John's asking for the stack reset; I should not have asked for it again (although there have been occasional cases of it curing something the second time).

No worries!

Attached HJT log.
I know there's mal/spyware and virus issues on the computer in question, although I'm not sure whether this is for another thread or to be taken up here. For example, on some occasions there's a few CMD-windows upon startup, which are very brief. This is not something that has been there before - although none of these issues did directly interfere with internet connectivity (internet worked, after all) before the routerswap.

[TerryNet]

Do you get a good IP configuration from the router (as in your first results), or do you now get the APIPA (169.254.x.y) from that also?

[JohnWill]

What happens if you boot in Safe Mode with Networking and use a wired connection?

[strate]

Here's the ping test with the router, new version.
I'll try safe mode with network later today. Am I to try both the modem and router?

[TerryNet]

With the router you get a good IP configuration and can ping it, but cannot access the internet. With the modem you get an APIPA (not a good IP config). I suspect malware or a non-Windows firewall (or security suite) is the culprit here.

Definitely try Safe Mode with Networking with the router, and doing so with the modem could also give useful results.