Weird 'puter problems - help!

[TorzJohnson]

A few months ago I noticed that when our computer is booted up, or goes into system standby and then is "re-awakened", we can't browse any websites for about 15 minutes, either with Firefox or IE. We're using DSL and I notice that the DSL light doesn't go out so we're not losing the signal. We recently got a new computer and the same problem is still happening. Is it some DSL modem setting that somehow got turned on? Or is the modem starting to die after only a couple of years?

 

[Andrew Taylor]

I have exactly the same problem. Is it an Alcatel Speedtouch modem? Ours does it if you boot the computer and connect first and then try an open any program. If you boot the computer, open Outlook Express, any programs you want and then Internet Explorer and click the connect button it is OK. This PC is heading for a new hard drive and re-install anyway.

 

[neosporin]

try going to
start >control panel >power options >power schemes
-turn off hard disks: never
-system hibernates: never
-press OK

now right click My Computer
hardware >device manager >network adapters
-right click the adapter you use to connect to the internet. c
-click properties >power management
-un check "allow the computer to turn off this device to save power"
press ok untill exited

see if this works, if not post back

 

[cosine]

Are you on a LAN in your house? I get DSL to my computer through the LAN in our house, and after startup or awakening after system standby my computer takes 5-10 seconds to connected to the LAN.

Would your computer by trying to do that, but having trouble doing so, thus explaining the fifteen minutes it takes before you can browse the Internet?

 

[TLM]

15 minutes is a time constant of a lot of things lost and found on Window$ concerning LAN or some other connections, so I would look for the fault there.

TLM

 

[TorzJohnson]

Thanks for the replies so far! I never set up a LAN and in fact I have no idea how this XP machine connects to the internet. When I got it, I just plugged the DSL modem into the RJ-45 jack on the back and it worked. The Modem is a Westell 2200.

Neosporin, I checked the power management and it was already set to never hibernate or turn off the hard disk. I then checked the network adapters and - having no idea which one we're using (1934 net adapter / Realtek RTL8139/810X family fast ethernet NIC) I checked them both. Only the Realtek had a power management tab so I disabled "allow the computer to turn off this device to save power".

I tested by rebooting but it didn't resolve the problem. Thanks for the suggestions guys - any other ideas what it might be?

 

[Cougar Allen]

when our computer is booted up, or goes into system standby and then is "re-awakened", we can't browse any websites for about 15 minutes

The easy solution is don't turn it off or let it go into standby. Just turn off the monitor; that's the only part of a computer that uses much electricity anyway.

 

[TorzJohnson]

Cougar, your solution may be the best one. We usually have it on all day from when my wife gets up at 5:00 am until I shut it off at 10:00 or 11:00 pm. Those extra 6 hrs won't make much difference especially if the monitor is off.