Connectivity issues perhaps?

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Hello again folks:) It’s me, and if I’m here that means yet another problem. This time, though, I don’t know if it’s trouble with my PC or with my new cable modem. Recently I’ve been getting letters from Comcast informing me that my cable modem needed to be upgraded. I was reluctant as my modem seemed to be working fine. Then, about the beginning of this year, I started experiencing problems with my PC, which I assumed was related to issues mentioned in the warning letters. So I gave in and ordered a new modem, a Wireless Gateway. So I got faster Internet, the speed test was impressive, everything apparently connected and active according to Comcast but still trouble. Going from site to site, I keep running into “system not responding” warnings. Watching Youtube or Hulu I sometimes get pauses and frozen screens. I get “Firefox has encountered a problem”, quite often. I get “flash has crashed” constantly so I have to reload. Oh, and “High disc usage” from my Norton. Now my PC is new, at least fairly new, much newer than my old one. It’s a COMPAQ with Windows 7. Everything was hunky dory until a few months ago, and the new modem seems to have improved some things and kept others just as bad or made them worse. So, obviously I’m missing something. Trouble with the connections? Something to clean out from my computer? A hard drive issue? I don’t want to talk to Comcast just yet. Any suggestions?

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Also, I keep getting “unresponsive script” warnings. Grrrr!

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First thing to check are your browser add ons. Corrupt or out of date add ons could easily be at the root of your problem.

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tiger4,
I get some of the same things you’ve described, but only occasionally. Most of the time things work okay for me on my 2012 super fast Win 7 64 bit computer. It is frustrating though when it happens and I don’t know what’s causing it. Sometimes an update here or there fixes things and everything is fine. Then other times an update will cause problems. It’s just one of the many frustrating things about using a computer these days. Hopefully the more knowledgeable people here on this site will have the answer(s) to your question. I’d be interested in the answers too!

Being 20 something in the 70's was far more fun than being 70 something in the insane 20's

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And now a message from Belkin: Your internet connection has failed. Please verify that your modem is on, connected to the router, and to the wall jack, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Trying to get on the Internet is getting more difficult. Something’s wrong with the connection I think.

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Are you able to re-connect the old modem to eliminate the new one as the problem?

cheers, Paul

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The old modem had issues as well. Comcast mentioned that they were upping their speeds which is why they offered the new modem, free of charge. I waited until the old one began experiencing problems. Now I’m having problems with this one. I either connected it wrong or it’s my inexperience with Wireless Gateways or something. It’s frustrating having a new PC and modem acting like some old broken down one.

Are you able to re-connect the old modem to eliminate the new one as the problem?

cheers, Paul

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You need to determine whether it is the modem or PC. Are you able to borrow another PC to test on your internet connection?

cheers, Paul

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No, I could talk to Comcast and see what they have to say. I’m not used to Wireless Gateway. It’s connected to my PC by an ethernet cable. Maybe there’s something I have to turn on or off to make it work properly.

You need to determine whether it is the modem or PC. Are you able to borrow another PC to test on your internet connection?

cheers, Paul

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No, I could talk to Comcast and see what they have to say. I’m not used to Wireless Gateway. It’s connected to my PC by an ethernet cable. Maybe there’s something I have to turn on or off to make it work properly.

I would try to eliminate as many layers from your situation as possible, in hopes of finding the error by the process of elimination.

Try the following:
* If you are using wireless, I would instead plug the computer into the modem with an ethernet cable.
* If you are using a separate router, I would eliminate the router and plug the computer directly into the modem.

I’m guessing that Comcast gave you a router/modem combo unit. That seems to be the way they are going these days. If your old modem was just a modem, try using it with an ethernet cable, not wireless.

For either the old or new modem, it might help to do a reset on it and then reconfigure it. Comcast should be able to help you with reconfiguring it, but call them first to make sure, before you do the reset.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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My wireless is plugged into the computer with an ethernet cable. If the problem has to do with the configuration, something I don’t remember seeing in the manual or it needs a reset do you know if there’s a button or program to do it?

I would try to eliminate as many layers from your situation as possible, in hopes of finding the error by the process of elimination.

Try the following:
* If you are using wireless, I would instead plug the computer into the modem with an ethernet cable.
* If you are using a separate router, I would eliminate the router and plug the computer directly into the modem.

I’m guessing that Comcast gave you a router/modem combo unit. That seems to be the way they are going these days. If your old modem was just a modem, try using it with an ethernet cable, not wireless.

For either the old or new modem, it might help to do a reset on it and then reconfigure it. Comcast should be able to help you with reconfiguring it, but call them first to make sure, before you do the reset.

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Unlikely there is something you have to do, apart from plug an ethernet cable in.
Let us know what Comcast have to say.

cheers, Paul

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I’ll probably have to wait ’til Monday for that. Another weekend, at least, of this crap, unless there’s a better suggestion/solution. I mean, I don’t get it; everything looks fresh and new. The speed test didn’t show any problems but . . . I don’t know.

Unlikely there is something you have to do, apart from plug an ethernet cable in.
Let us know what Comcast have to say.

cheers, Paul

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If your Wireless Gateway is the same as in the following article and applicable model, you can download the Quick Start Guide which should get you up and running. http://customer.comcast.com/help-and-support/internet/wireless-gateway-1

Hope this helps.

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Yeah it’s the same thing. Comcast sent the model with the start guide and other instructions which I followed, or so I thought, but I may have missed something. I’m still having issues.

If your Wireless Gateway is the same as in the following article and applicable model, you can download the Quick Start Guide which should get you up and running. http://customer.comcast.com/help-and-support/internet/wireless-gateway-1

Hope this helps.

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A pop-up appeared that warned “This may void your warranty” so my overly cautious nature kicked in. Now I’m hesitant. I don’t want to screw up my computer with a fix that goes wrong.

If your Wireless Gateway is the same as in the following article and applicable model, you can download the Quick Start Guide which should get you up and running. http://customer.comcast.com/help-and-support/internet/wireless-gateway-1

Hope this helps.

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Does it connect and stay connected okay when you boot up into Safe Mode with Networking ?

Have a read through the manual steps for resolving this in the main browsers – leave the download fixit button alone and don’t go looking for any registry cleaners. http://allaboutregistry.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/how-to-fix-unresponsive-script-error-in.html

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Well, I haven’t booted it up in Safe Mode yet. With this new PC (or at least newer than what I had) I have to figure it out. I could try it soon. I’ll read the link, thanks.

Does it connect and stay connected okay when you boot up into Safe Mode with Networking ?

Have a read through the manual steps for resolving this in the main browsers – leave the download fixit button alone and don’t go looking for any registry cleaners. http://allaboutregistry.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/how-to-fix-unresponsive-script-error-in.html

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Well, I haven’t booted it up in Safe Mode yet. With this new PC (or at least newer than what I had) I have to figure it out. I could try it soon. I’ll read the link, thanks.

While key combos can differ with make & model of computer, generally tapping F8 as you switch on will give you the Advanced Boot options where you use the cursor keys to select the option you want.

Alternatively, go Start – type msconfig – press enter and under the Boot tab check the box for Safe Boot and then the one for Network – Apply – OK and reboot.

You will need to undo those to boot normally when done in Safe Mode.

AV programs and other 3rd party programs which can block connectivity are isolated in this mode, so when having any connectivity problems, Safe Mode with Networking can be a troubleshooting step.

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I called Comcast and according to them there is no problem with the new modem, so it could be the PC. They mentioned it could be an issue with Windows 7. They mentioned something about a voucher update. I don’t know; I could barely understand what the lady was saying at the other end (heavy accent), but since the connection is apparently okay, it could be an issue with Windows or Firefox. I’d hate to think there’s something wrong with the hard drive.

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Have you tried booting up into Safe Mode with Networking yet to see if it makes any difference and the Anvi Browser Repair Tool may be able to do something with your Firefox. http://www.anvisoft.com/browser-repair-tool.html

Click on the FF icon in the left pane and you’ll see that it deals with a couple of Flash Player settings which could be the cause of Flash Player playing up.

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Have you tried running it with the add ons turned off yet?

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According to Firefox, I do not have very many add ons and what I do have look to be necessary, except maybe Silverlight. I don’t know much about it. Apparently it needs to be updated. Could this be the source of the problem? Hmmm.

Have you tried running it with the add ons turned off yet?

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Silverlight usually updates through Windows Update.

If you go Start type Silverlight and press enter, you will see which version you have.

As far as I know mine is up to date and is showing as v5.1.30514.0

Clicking on Update just gives you how you want to receive your WUs.

At one time you had to uninstall Silverlight and then download afresh but think WU would probably just overwrite it now.

I doubt if this would be your problem but have a look at my last post.

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While your symptoms don’t quite tally with what I would expect from this unless your router is working overtime, log into the router and check to see if the channel setting is set to Auto.

If it’s constantly switching it could disrupt your browsing and video streaming and I don’t think I’ve come across anyone who has had a good word to say about Belkin routers.

Download inSSIDer3 and check which could be the best channel for you with the lowest RSSI value together with the best Link Score.

The Link Score will be affected by the number of other users on the same or adjacent channels, so choose one that is least populated and if it has to be overlapped, choose any with the users who have the highest RSSI values as these will be the weaker signals and least likely to cause you any problems.

The highest values to look for will be in the 70s or greater.

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There are some issues with logging into the router. While the Comcast site offers some info, it doesn’t seem to offer a way to figure out the channel setting on my router. It doesn’t seem to have a place to input the username and password for the router. As for downloading the program you recommended, I hesitate to download something I don’t know about before exploring other options that may be more simple and obvious. Whenever I’ve had a problem and tackled it on this site, advisers sometimes led me down strange roads regarding programs and equipment before a solution was found that was fairly simple. I just want to make sure it isn’t a simple matter of me overlooking something. Since I’ve started typing this I’ve had multiple screen freezes and pop-ups regarding unresponsive scripts and plug-ins. It’s the worst so far.

While your symptoms don’t quite tally with what I would expect from this unless your router is working overtime, log into the router and check to see if the channel setting is set to Auto.

If it’s constantly switching it could disrupt your browsing and video streaming and I don’t think I’ve come across anyone who has had a good word to say about Belkin routers.

Download inSSIDer3 and check which could be the best channel for you with the lowest RSSI value together with the best Link Score.

The Link Score will be affected by the number of other users on the same or adjacent channels, so choose one that is least populated and if it has to be overlapped, choose any with the users who have the highest RSSI values as these will be the weaker signals and least likely to cause you any problems.

The highest values to look for will be in the 70s or greater.

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I was at the bookstore today and I met a friend and co-worker who was interested when I told her about my PC problems. She had this interesting theory; I’d like to see what you think. She suggested that my problems stem from Microsoft themselves. Apparently Microsoft may be attempting to make Windows 7, (my OS) incompatible with new modems or other programs to force the user to switch to Windows 8 or 9. It seems like a conspiracy theory but . . . Comcast says my modem’s okay. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with my PC beyond the screen freezes and script and plug-in issues. I’m still hesitant to try Sudo’s solution before exploring simpler options. The Microsoft angle seems interesting. What do you folks think?

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I was at the bookstore today and I met a friend and co-worker who was interested when I told her about my PC problems. She had this interesting theory; I’d like to see what you think. She suggested that my problems stem from Microsoft themselves. Apparently Microsoft may be attempting to make Windows 7, (my OS) incompatible with new modems or other programs to force the user to switch to Windows 8 or 9. It seems like a conspiracy theory but . . . Comcast says my modem’s okay. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with my PC beyond the screen freezes and script and plug-in issues. I’m still hesitant to try Sudo’s solution before exploring simpler options. The Microsoft angle seems interesting. What do you folks think?

I wouldn’t have thought so and setting up the router to broadcast on a specific channel is common place and sometimes a necessity because of interference from other users.

While you are in there, you could also see if changing the Channel Width from 20/40MHz to just 20MHz has any effect but try it set to a specific channel first to see what effect that has.

A couple of years ago there was a compatibility issue between Belkin routers and TP-Link Wireless adapter which they may have resolved by now.

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My modem, while wireless, is actually connected to the PC by ethernet cable. There’s no place in my studio apartment where I could put it to broadcast (too many places for interference) and I’ve never used wireless in broadcast format before, even though my PC is equipped for it. The connectivity issue came from the possibility that I connected the cable wrong. As it stands, besides frozen screens, unresponsive plug-ins and scripts, Firefox keeps crashing so it has to be restarted. That’s why I’m considering the Windows 7 angle. Considering how my modem is connected, when you say change the Channel Width do you mean broadcast only or does this also refer to the cable connection? If so, how? There’s nothing in the instruction manual that referred to this.

I wouldn’t have thought so and setting up the router to broadcast on a specific channel is common place and sometimes a necessity because of interference from other users.

While you are in there, you could also see if changing the Channel Width from 20/40MHz to just 20MHz has any effect but try it set to a specific channel first to see what effect that has.

A couple of years ago there was a compatibility issue between Belkin routers and TP-Link Wireless adapter which they may have resolved by now.

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Pure conspiracy theory! (No, we didn’t make it to the moon.)

cheers, Paul

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As you are not using wireless you can ignore that bit.

Have you tried Internet Explorer? Does it have the same issue?

cheers, Paul

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I’ve used Firefox for several years. The last time I used IE was with the old PC. I could look into that, though.

As you are not using wireless you can ignore that bit.

Have you tried Internet Explorer? Does it have the same issue?

cheers, Paul

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I use Netgear 7550 modem/router. Youse guys have any kwik-komments about Netgear? While not having the same problems as OP, I’d like to learn more via this thread.

"Take care of thy backups and thy restores shall take care of thee." Ben Franklin, revisted

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I use Netgear 7550 modem/router. Youse guys have any kwik-komments about Netgear? While not having the same problems as OP, I’d like to learn more via this thread.

Apologies if this has already been covered, but can’t remember if I saw this alert on this forum or another and while your router isn’t listed, it may be something that you should be aware of. http://betanews.com/2015/02/19/soap-vulnerability-leaves-netgear-routers-open-to-hackers/

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Netgear stuff is fine.

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bookmarked! thanks Sudo15 🙂

"Take care of thy backups and thy restores shall take care of thee." Ben Franklin, revisted

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Thanks Sudo. I had not heard, I have the WNDR3700:(

🍻

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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It is probably not a configuration issue.
Please test Internet Explorer to see if that is OK. If so, then the issue is Firefox.
You also need to test connectivity in safe mode.
Until you have done these two things we can’t help further.

cheers, Paul

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Which safe mode are you talking about? Firefox or Windows?

It is probably not a configuration issue.
Please test Internet Explorer to see if that is OK. If so, then the issue is Firefox.
You also need to test connectivity in safe mode.
Until you have done these two things we can’t help further.

cheers, Paul

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Windows.

cheers, Paul

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While you may be wired up to the router, the router will still be broadcasting the SSID.

Unless you’ve disconnected the SSID connection which will still connect on reboot or disabled the Wireless adapter in Device Manager/Network adapters, it will still have been assigned a DHCP IP address and the router will be bouncing between Ethernet and Wireless by acknowledging each unless your router is designed to disable Wireless when wired up, as Win 7 doesn’t do this auto as Win 8/8.1 does.

To check if your Wifi is active, do you have the Wifi icon in the Taskbar showing any bars ?

Can you also open a command prompt and enter ipconfig /all

Right click in the text area and click on Select all – press enter then paste into your reply.

I’ve already posted how you can boot up into Safe Mode with Networking.

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Here’s what I found. See if you can make sense of it.

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:UsersTony>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Bertha-PC
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.wa.comcast.net.

Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection 3:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1A-EF-0C-CF-A1
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection 2:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : Belkin
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Ralink RT61 Turbo Wireless LAN Card
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1A-EF-0C-CF-A0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.wa.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : NVIDIA nForce 10/100 Mbps Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : E0-CB-4E-31-C9-DB
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 2601:8:b200:758:2cfa:1f14:7d50:9428(Prefe
rred)
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . : 2601:8:b200:758:95c9:ffb6:c3ff:c2d4(Prefe
rred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::2cfa:1f14:7d50:9428%10(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 10.0.0.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, March 03, 2015 9:17:20 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Thursday, March 12, 2015 3:26:50 PM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : fe80::92c7:92ff:fe31:1d61%10
10.0.0.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 10.0.0.1
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 182504270
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-12-C6-84-C5-E0-CB-4E-31-C9-DB

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 2001:558:feed::1
2001:558:feed::2
75.75.75.75
75.75.76.76
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter isatap.{F9604C51-4480-4DEB-93DC-E7FCF12C8571}:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #5
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter isatap.Belkin:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #3
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 12:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 2001:0:9d38:90d7:cea:6ce:f5ff:fffd(Prefer
red)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::cea:6ce:f5ff:fffd%17(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter isatap.hsd1.wa.comcast.net.:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.wa.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #4
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

C:UsersTony>

While you may be wired up to the router, the router will still be broadcasting the SSID.

Unless you’ve disconnected the SSID connection which will still connect on reboot or disabled the Wireless adapter in Device Manager/Network adapters, it will still have been assigned a DHCP IP address and the router will be bouncing between Ethernet and Wireless by acknowledging each unless your router is designed to disable Wireless when wired up, as Win 7 doesn’t do this auto as Win 8/8.1 does.

To check if your Wifi is active, do you have the Wifi icon in the Taskbar showing any bars ?

Can you also open a command prompt and enter ipconfig /all

Right click in the text area and click on Select all – press enter then paste into your reply.

I’ve already posted how you can boot up into Safe Mode with Networking.

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Also, my PC is second hand from my mother; just in case that fact needs to be taken into account.

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Unless you’ve disconnected the SSID connection which will still connect on reboot or disabled the Wireless adapter in Device Manager/Network adapters, it will still have been assigned a DHCP IP address and the router will be bouncing between Ethernet and Wireless by acknowledging each unless your router is designed to disable Wireless when wired up, as Win 7 doesn’t do this auto as Win 8/8.1 does.

Windows 7 will prioritize Wired vs Wireless as well:

http://superuser.com/questions/247601/make-windows-7-ignore-wifi-when-ethernet-is-available

Jerry

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I’ve come across that procedure before and it can need a bit of tweaking, but thanks for the reminder Jerry, but as I’ve said – Win 7 doesn’t do it auto.

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It does for me on my desktop.

Jerry

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It does for me on my desktop.

Jerry

What – your Win 7 does it auto or prioritizing ?

My Win 7 laptop doesn’t do it auto and when I log into the router and view its logs, you can see it alternating between Ethernet and Wireless.

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The symptoms are varied enough

– “unresponsive script”
– “browser add ons”
– “Belkin: Your internet connection has failed”
– “old modem had issues as well”

that I don’t suspect the internet connections.

Because it has nothing to do with your internet connection problems – directly – this one interests me more:
“High disc usage” from Norton.

You know it is not true but Norton doesn’t?

That’s a flag.

In order for Windows to function properly, it must know how much free space is available and where it is. Not having that information accurately can cause it to lose track of knowing where every file is located on the disk. You will have problems of all sorts, usually giving no clear clue what’s wrong. It’s a big deal.

You are lucky because
1) Norton gave you a clear clue that the free space is not being reported correctly.

2) It’s a very easy and fast fix.

The chkdsk.exe command (check disk) fixes incorrect free space reporting, and other errors in the file structure.

Here’s what to do in Win7
– Shut down all running programs
– Start
– in the Search field type cmd (you may need to run it as an administrator)
– A command line (DOS) window opens up
– Type the following exactly – including spaces chkdsk c: /f
– Hit Enter
– You will be asked if you want to run checkdisk at the next reboot – type y enter
– Type “exit” and hit “enter” to close the command window
– reboot

Windows will reboot and run chkdsk. When it is finished, you can log in and hope I was right. Even if it doesn’t fix your connectivity, it will fix what Norton saw, and perhaps, other things.

If that doesn’t fix it, the only thing connection related thing you didn’t mention is the network card, which may or may not be built into your mother board.

By the way, I don’t think that “Safe Mode” will do much good. It just boots the PC with a very limited number of device drivers installed – video, sound, etc. So, “Safe Mode” allows a bit of device trouble shooting.

You’re welcome. :))

Good luck.

PS
In WinXP you do the same thing except begin thusly:
– Start
– Run
– type chkdsk c: /f
follow above instructions

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Tried it your way. Ran into some trouble. When I hit enter after typing chkdsk c: /f, I was denied access. There was another notice from Windows that I had not so exactly ignored as put off. When I finally read it, it said it detected a problem in my hard drive. A solution it recommended was a hard disk error-checking tool, I guess the same thing as your suggestion, so I ran that. Then I found an interesting about my PC: I have two hard disk drives. One is a COMPAQ, the name of my computer, the other is listed as a local disk titled FACTORY IMAGE. The COMPAQ disk has 413GB free of 455GB, the local disk has 1.46GB free of 9.71GB. I decided to run them both. The COMPAQ disk error check went okay; according to the check Window replaced some bad programs or bytes, I can’t quite remember, and I can’t figure how to get a summary of the error check. The local disk error check went okay, I guess. It went somewhat differently than the COMPAQ one, but apparently found nothing wrong with the files. I also tried a disc cleanup and defrag with the local disk. At first I ran into similar problems as chkdsk (access denied). Then I clicked ignore all and something happened, but I don’t know exactly. I hope I haven’t screwed up my PC or files. Meanwhile, I’ll see if this has cleared up my current problem.

The symptoms are varied enough

– “unresponsive script”
– “browser add ons”
– “Belkin: Your internet connection has failed”
– “old modem had issues as well”

that I don’t suspect the internet connections.

Because it has nothing to do with your internet connection problems – directly – this one interests me more:
“High disc usage” from Norton.

You know it is not true but Norton doesn’t?

That’s a flag.

In order for Windows to function properly, it must know how much free space is available and where it is. Not having that information accurately can cause it to lose track of knowing where every file is located on the disk. You will have problems of all sorts, usually giving no clear clue what’s wrong. It’s a big deal.

You are lucky because
1) Norton gave you a clear clue that the free space is not being reported correctly.

2) It’s a very easy and fast fix.

The chkdsk.exe command (check disk) fixes incorrect free space reporting, and other errors in the file structure.

Here’s what to do in Win7
– Shut down all running programs
– Start
– in the Search field type cmd (you may need to run it as an administrator)
– A command line (DOS) window opens up
– Type the following exactly – including spaces chkdsk c: /f
– Hit Enter
– You will be asked if you want to run checkdisk at the next reboot – type y enter
– Type “exit” and hit “enter” to close the command window
– reboot

Windows will reboot and run chkdsk. When it is finished, you can log in and hope I was right. Even if it doesn’t fix your connectivity, it will fix what Norton saw, and perhaps, other things.

If that doesn’t fix it, the only thing connection related thing you didn’t mention is the network card, which may or may not be built into your mother board.

By the way, I don’t think that “Safe Mode” will do much good. It just boots the PC with a very limited number of device drivers installed – video, sound, etc. So, “Safe Mode” allows a bit of device trouble shooting.

You’re welcome. :))

Good luck.

PS
In WinXP you do the same thing except begin thusly:
– Start
– Run
– type chkdsk c: /f
follow above instructions

Reply | Quote

It could be multiple problems – UncleStu’s chkdisk suggestion is a good one; it never hurts to check the disk drive when activity seems excessively high.

When you replaced the old modem with the new one, did you also replace the Ethernet cable with a new one or did you use the old one? (The old cable may have gone bad.)

[My old Navy electronics training told me #1: check power, #2: check cables.]

Reply | Quote

tiger, you have one network connection via ethernet, there is no wireless connection.

Being a second had PC makes no difference.

cheers, Paul

Reply | Quote

This article may help with resetting permissions to default if it recognizes the subinaci command. http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/509474/reset-all-user-permissions-to-default/

Some have had problems with these steps in Win 7 but some of these posters comments may help as workarounds. http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-security/how-to-reset-all-user-permissions-to-default/9da312d2-c99b-4283-a275-e74d93dcc366

To view the chkdsk report go Start – type eventvwr and press enter.

When it has read the logs expand Windows Logs – click on Applications – Action – Find – type either chkdsk or wininit into the Find box and press enter or click OK.

Close the Find box and then read its report.

To post its report click on Copy/Copy details as text in the lower right pane – right click in the Reply box and select Paste.

Safe Mode with Networking isolates 3rd party programs as well as your AV program which can cause connectivity issues and is a common elimination step.

Reply | Quote

Well, here’s what I think is a copy of one of the error checks, from the local disk. Maybe you can make sense of it.

Log Name: Application
Source: Chkdsk
Date: 3/6/2015 4:59:32 AM
Event ID: 26214
Task Category: None
Level: Information
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: Bertha-PC
Description:
Chkdsk was executed in read/write mode.

Checking file system on D:
Volume label is FACTORY_IMAGE.

CHKDSK is verifying files (stage 1 of 5)…
6912 file records processed.

File verification completed.
0 large file records processed.

0 bad file records processed.

0 EA records processed.

0 reparse records processed.

CHKDSK is verifying indexes (stage 2 of 5)…
7924 index entries processed.

Index verification completed.

CHKDSK is verifying security descriptors (stage 3 of 5)…
6912 file SDs/SIDs processed.

Security descriptor verification completed.
507 data files processed.

CHKDSK is verifying Usn Journal…
1228112 USN bytes processed.

Usn Journal verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying file data (stage 4 of 5)…
6896 files processed.

File data verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying free space (stage 5 of 5)…
384372 free clusters processed.

Free space verification is complete.
Windows has checked the file system and found no problems.

10191871 KB total disk space.
8590496 KB in 6137 files.
1960 KB in 508 indexes.
61927 KB in use by the system.
53008 KB occupied by the log file.
1537488 KB available on disk.

4096 bytes in each allocation unit.
2547967 total allocation units on disk.
384372 allocation units available on disk.

Event Xml:

26214
4
0
0x80000000000000

61772
Application
Bertha-PC

Checking file system on D:
Volume label is FACTORY_IMAGE.

CHKDSK is verifying files (stage 1 of 5)…
6912 file records processed.

File verification completed.
0 large file records processed.

0 bad file records processed.

0 EA records processed.

0 reparse records processed.

CHKDSK is verifying indexes (stage 2 of 5)…
7924 index entries processed.

Index verification completed.

CHKDSK is verifying security descriptors (stage 3 of 5)…
6912 file SDs/SIDs processed.

Security descriptor verification completed.
507 data files processed.

CHKDSK is verifying Usn Journal…
1228112 USN bytes processed.

Usn Journal verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying file data (stage 4 of 5)…
6896 files processed.

File data verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying free space (stage 5 of 5)…
384372 free clusters processed.

Free space verification is complete.
Windows has checked the file system and found no problems.

10191871 KB total disk space.
8590496 KB in 6137 files.
1960 KB in 508 indexes.
61927 KB in use by the system.
53008 KB occupied by the log file.
1537488 KB available on disk.

4096 bytes in each allocation unit.
2547967 total allocation units on disk.
384372 allocation units available on disk.

001B0000011A00001F2400000000000001000000000000000000000000000000

This article may help with resetting permissions to default if it recognizes the subinaci command. http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/509474/reset-all-user-permissions-to-default/

Some have had problems with these steps in Win 7 but some of these posters comments may help as workarounds. http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-security/how-to-reset-all-user-permissions-to-default/9da312d2-c99b-4283-a275-e74d93dcc366

To view the chkdsk report go Start – type eventvwr and press enter.

When it has read the logs expand Windows Logs – click on Applications – Action – Find – type either chkdsk or wininit into the Find box and press enter or click OK.

Close the Find box and then read its report.

To post its report click on Copy/Copy details as text in the lower right pane – right click in the Reply box and select Paste.

Safe Mode with Networking isolates 3rd party programs as well as your AV program which can cause connectivity issues and is a common elimination step.

Reply | Quote

Here’s the other error check from COMPAQ.

Log Name: Application
Source: Microsoft-Windows-Wininit
Date: 3/6/2015 4:01:05 AM
Event ID: 1001
Task Category: None
Level: Information
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: Bertha-PC
Description:

Checking file system on C:
The type of the file system is NTFS.
Volume label is COMPAQ.

A disk check has been scheduled.
Windows will now check the disk.

CHKDSK is verifying files (stage 1 of 5)…
202496 file records processed.

File verification completed.
1037 large file records processed.

0 bad file records processed.

0 EA records processed.

60 reparse records processed.

CHKDSK is verifying indexes (stage 2 of 5)…
258404 index entries processed.

Index verification completed.
0 unindexed files scanned.

0 unindexed files recovered.

CHKDSK is verifying security descriptors (stage 3 of 5)…
202496 file SDs/SIDs processed.

Cleaning up 2304 unused index entries from index $SII of file 0x9.
Cleaning up 2304 unused index entries from index $SDH of file 0x9.
Cleaning up 2304 unused security descriptors.
Security descriptor verification completed.
27955 data files processed.

CHKDSK is verifying Usn Journal…
35224056 USN bytes processed.

Usn Journal verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying file data (stage 4 of 5)…
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a4dc000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a4e2000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a4e3000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a4ea000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a4eb000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a4ec000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a4ed000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a4f8000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a599000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5a1000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5a2000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5a2000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5a3000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5a4000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5b5000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5b5000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5b6000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5bd000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5be000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5bf000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c0000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c0000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c1000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c1000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c2000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c2000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c3000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c3000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c4000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c4000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c5000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c6000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c7000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c7000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c8000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c8000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c9000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c9000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5ca000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5ca000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5db000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5db000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Windows replaced bad clusters in file 60256
of name WindowsSystem32DRIVER~1FILERE~1HDXCPC~2.INFRtlUpd64.exe.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x3973e19000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x3973e28000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x3973e29000 for 0xe000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x3973e29000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x3973e2a000 for 0xd000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x3973e2c000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Windows replaced bad clusters in file 197741
of name WindowswinsxsX82DBA~1.175license.rtf.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x3974197000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x39741a3000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Windows replaced bad clusters in file 197899
of name WindowswinsxsAMF4D9~1.175Amd64PCL5ERES.DLL.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x39746f3000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x39746ff000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x3974700000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x3974700000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Windows replaced bad clusters in file 197922
of name WindowsSystem32MANIFE~1advapi32.amx.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x39747d2000 for 0x10000 bytes.
202480 files processed.

File data verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying free space (stage 5 of 5)…
108399703 free clusters processed.

Free space verification is complete.
Adding 261 bad clusters to the Bad Clusters File.
Correcting errors in the Volume Bitmap.
Windows has made corrections to the file system.

478090239 KB total disk space.
44064204 KB in 140125 files.
106720 KB in 27956 indexes.
1044 KB in bad sectors.
320391 KB in use by the system.
65536 KB occupied by the log file.
433597880 KB available on disk.

4096 bytes in each allocation unit.
119522559 total allocation units on disk.
108399470 allocation units available on disk.

Internal Info:
00 17 03 00 9d 90 02 00 a5 c8 04 00 00 00 00 00 …………….
47 02 00 00 3c 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 G…<………..
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 …………….

Windows has finished checking your disk.
Please wait while your computer restarts.

Event Xml:

1001
0
4
0
0
0x80000000000000

61721

Application
Bertha-PC

Checking file system on C:
The type of the file system is NTFS.
Volume label is COMPAQ.

A disk check has been scheduled.
Windows will now check the disk.

CHKDSK is verifying files (stage 1 of 5)…
202496 file records processed.

File verification completed.
1037 large file records processed.

0 bad file records processed.

0 EA records processed.

60 reparse records processed.

CHKDSK is verifying indexes (stage 2 of 5)…
258404 index entries processed.

Index verification completed.
0 unindexed files scanned.

0 unindexed files recovered.

CHKDSK is verifying security descriptors (stage 3 of 5)…
202496 file SDs/SIDs processed.

Cleaning up 2304 unused index entries from index $SII of file 0x9.
Cleaning up 2304 unused index entries from index $SDH of file 0x9.
Cleaning up 2304 unused security descriptors.
Security descriptor verification completed.
27955 data files processed.

CHKDSK is verifying Usn Journal…
35224056 USN bytes processed.

Usn Journal verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying file data (stage 4 of 5)…
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a4dc000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a4e2000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a4e3000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a4ea000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a4eb000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a4ec000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a4ed000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a4f8000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a599000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5a1000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5a2000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5a2000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5a3000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5a4000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5b5000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5b5000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5b6000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5bd000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5be000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5bf000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c0000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c0000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c1000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c1000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c2000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c2000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c3000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c3000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c4000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c4000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c5000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c6000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c7000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c7000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c8000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c8000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c9000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5c9000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5ca000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5ca000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5db000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x395a5db000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Windows replaced bad clusters in file 60256
of name WindowsSystem32DRIVER~1FILERE~1HDXCPC~2.INFRtlUpd64.exe.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x3973e19000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x3973e28000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x3973e29000 for 0xe000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x3973e29000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x3973e2a000 for 0xd000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x3973e2c000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Windows replaced bad clusters in file 197741
of name WindowswinsxsX82DBA~1.175license.rtf.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x3974197000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x39741a3000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Windows replaced bad clusters in file 197899
of name WindowswinsxsAMF4D9~1.175Amd64PCL5ERES.DLL.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x39746f3000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x39746ff000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x3974700000 for 0x10000 bytes.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x3974700000 for 0x1000 bytes.
Windows replaced bad clusters in file 197922
of name WindowsSystem32MANIFE~1advapi32.amx.
Read failure with status 0xc000009c at offset 0x39747d2000 for 0x10000 bytes.
202480 files processed.

File data verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying free space (stage 5 of 5)…
108399703 free clusters processed.

Free space verification is complete.
Adding 261 bad clusters to the Bad Clusters File.
Correcting errors in the Volume Bitmap.
Windows has made corrections to the file system.

478090239 KB total disk space.
44064204 KB in 140125 files.
106720 KB in 27956 indexes.
1044 KB in bad sectors.
320391 KB in use by the system.
65536 KB occupied by the log file.
433597880 KB available on disk.

4096 bytes in each allocation unit.
119522559 total allocation units on disk.
108399470 allocation units available on disk.

Internal Info:
00 17 03 00 9d 90 02 00 a5 c8 04 00 00 00 00 00 …………….
47 02 00 00 3c 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 G…<………..
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 …………….

Windows has finished checking your disk.
Please wait while your computer restarts.

This article may help with resetting permissions to default if it recognizes the subinaci command. http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/509474/reset-all-user-permissions-to-default/

Some have had problems with these steps in Win 7 but some of these posters comments may help as workarounds. http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-security/how-to-reset-all-user-permissions-to-default/9da312d2-c99b-4283-a275-e74d93dcc366

To view the chkdsk report go Start – type eventvwr and press enter.

When it has read the logs expand Windows Logs – click on Applications – Action – Find – type either chkdsk or wininit into the Find box and press enter or click OK.

Close the Find box and then read its report.

To post its report click on Copy/Copy details as text in the lower right pane – right click in the Reply box and select Paste.

Safe Mode with Networking isolates 3rd party programs as well as your AV program which can cause connectivity issues and is a common elimination step.

Reply | Quote

Now, with all this junk maybe somebody can make sense of it. Furthermore, the Belkin icon has informed me my internet connection has failed. It’s glowing yellow instead of its usual blue. I’m going to go through it to see what this is about since I’m on the internet. It does this constantly. The error check seems to have sped up my internet connection. So far I’ve gotten just one failed script notification plus a couple of delays in site loading but overall it seems faster. So, what does everybody have to say about all these numbers?

Reply | Quote

CHKDSK has reported and fixed some problems. This could be the issue as hard disk errors are never good.
It is possible that your hard disk is not well which has caused the errors in the first place. Make regular backups until you are sure it is OK (then keep making regular backups because that is always a good idea).

You don’t have 2 hard disks, you have 2 partitions on one physical hard disk. This is normal for a Windows installation.

cheers, Paul

Reply | Quote

Paul T was correct, it was the bad sectors on your HDD that was causing some problems but as it has reported 1044KB in bad sectors it’s time you were looking for a new HDD.

As for the modem, I think it’s time you asked your ISP to send you out a new one if just for testing purposes.

Generally when a wired connection fails it’s usually because of a ropey broadband connection coming down the line because of errors/voltage on the line, the modem or your AV program.

There’s an outside chance it could be the Nvidia Ethernet driver so updating/reinstalling that will be something else to eliminate.

Booting up into Safe Mode with Networking will isolate the AV program to check if you still get the disconnects then.

Are any of the lights on the modem not on ?

Reply | Quote

I’m not about to ask Comcast to send me a new modem just yet. If the problem is the HDD then that’s where I’ll concentrate. The AV program is Norton and I just renewed it in January. Which lights are you talking about? The ones in front or the ones in back. The back ones surrounding the ethernet plug are all on. The front ones, the power, US/DS, online, and WiFi are on, but Tel 1 and 2 (telephones?) are not. Does anyone know if Target or Office Depot sell HDD’s?

Paul T was correct, it was the bad sectors on your HDD that was causing some problems but as it has reported 1044KB in bad sectors it’s time you were looking for a new HDD.

As for the modem, I think it’s time you asked your ISP to send you out a new one if just for testing purposes.

Generally when a wired connection fails it’s usually because of a ropey broadband connection coming down the line because of errors/voltage on the line, the modem or your AV program.

There’s an outside chance it could be the Nvidia Ethernet driver so updating/reinstalling that will be something else to eliminate.

Booting up into Safe Mode with Networking will isolate the AV program to check if you still get the disconnects then.

Are any of the lights on the modem not on ?

Reply | Quote

The main lights are usually on the front of a modem/router and when Ethernet connected you would have 5 but if the Ethernet one is on the back of yours then you would have just the 4 – not necessarily in this order –

Power, Wireless, DSL and Internet.

I should think your Online light equates to Internet, so was it the Online light that was orange ?

Was it a chkdsk /f or /r you ran ?

While data can be lost when Windows moves data to good sectors of the disk, if any related to your Network adapters/services you would have a permanent connectivity problem and not just intermittent and I think I would still ask Comcast for a replacement modem.

I use an ISP supplied modem/router which has just given up the ghost and I’ve that less than a year which they are replacing – fortunately I have my own which I’m using until I get the replacement.

My ISP once it has taken you through its troubleshooting steps will send you out another router for test purposes because electronics can go at any time.

Reply | Quote

I couldn’t say about the type of chkdsk; it was a Windows program I ran. Maybe the answer’s up there in those hieroglyphics I posted. I only just got this modem about two weeks ago, I’m reluctant to ask for another. I’m thinking the problem is the hard drive at the moment. Oh, and all the lights are blue.

The main lights are usually on the front of a modem/router and when Ethernet connected you would have 5 but if the Ethernet one is on the back of yours then you would have just the 4 – not necessarily in this order –

Power, Wireless, DSL and Internet.

I should think your Online light equates to Internet, so was it the Online light that was orange ?

Was it a chkdsk /f or /r you ran ?

While data can be lost when Windows moves data to good sectors of the disk, if any related to your Network adapters/services you would have a permanent connectivity problem and not just intermittent and I think I would still ask Comcast for a replacement modem.

I use an ISP supplied modem/router which has just given up the ghost and I’ve that less than a year which they are replacing – fortunately I have my own which I’m using until I get the replacement.

My ISP once it has taken you through its troubleshooting steps will send you out another router for test purposes because electronics can go at any time.

Reply | Quote

While a chkdsk /r can move data and rope off the bad sectors you would still need something to check the S.M.A.R.T. status of the disk http://www.howtogeek.com/134735/how-to-see-if-your-hard-drive-is-dying/ but it wouldn’t be the first time that an electronic item has been goosed out of the box – I think you still need to eliminate the modem as a cause.

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According to the status displayed in the command prompt, the PC is OK.

While a chkdsk /r can move data and rope off the bad sectors you would still need something to check the S.M.A.R.T. status of the disk http://www.howtogeek.com/134735/how-to-see-if-your-hard-drive-is-dying/ but it wouldn’t be the first time that an electronic item has been goosed out of the box – I think you still need to eliminate the modem as a cause.

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Also, the Crystal Disk Info looks promising but I don’t know exactly which version to download.

While a chkdsk /r can move data and rope off the bad sectors you would still need something to check the S.M.A.R.T. status of the disk http://www.howtogeek.com/134735/how-to-see-if-your-hard-drive-is-dying/ but it wouldn’t be the first time that an electronic item has been goosed out of the box – I think you still need to eliminate the modem as a cause.

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Also, the Crystal Disk Info looks promising but I don’t know exactly which version to download.

I use the Standard Edition zip, 2.7MB.

cheers, Paul

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Downloaded the Standard Edition. This is what I got:

—————————————————————————-
CrystalDiskInfo 6.3.0 (C) 2008-2015 hiyohiyo
Crystal Dew World : http://crystalmark.info/
—————————————————————————-

OS : Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 [6.1 Build 7601] (x64)
Date : 2015/03/12 1:26:02

— Controller Map ———————————————————-
+ NVIDIA nForce Serial ATA Controller [ATA]
– WDC WD50 00AAKS-65V0A SCSI Disk Device
– hp DVD A DH16AAL SCSI CdRom Device
– NVIDIA nForce Serial ATA Controller [ATA]

— Disk List —————————————————————
(1) WDC WD5000AAKS-65V0A0 : 500.1 GB [0/0/0, sm] – wd

—————————————————————————-
(1) WDC WD5000AAKS-65V0A0
—————————————————————————-
Model : WDC WD5000AAKS-65V0A0
Firmware : 05.01D05
Serial Number : WD-WCAWF0287382
Disk Size : 500.1 GB (8.4/137.4/500.1/500.1)
Buffer Size : 16384 KB
Queue Depth : 32
# of Sectors : 976773168
Rotation Rate : Unknown
Interface : Serial ATA
Major Version : ATA8-ACS
Minor Version : —-
Transfer Mode : —- | SATA/300
Power On Hours : 9000 hours
Power On Count : 2624 count
Temperature : 43 C (109 F)
Health Status : Caution
Features : S.M.A.R.T., AAM, 48bit LBA, NCQ
APM Level : —-
AAM Level : 8080h [ON]

— S.M.A.R.T. ————————————————————–
ID Cur Wor Thr RawValues(6) Attribute Name
01 200 200 _51 000000001F3B Read Error Rate
03 141 139 _21 000000000F55 Spin-Up Time
04 _98 _98 __0 000000000A47 Start/Stop Count
05 200 200 140 000000000000 Reallocated Sectors Count
07 200 200 __0 000000000000 Seek Error Rate
09 _88 _88 __0 000000002328 Power-On Hours
0A 100 100 __0 000000000000 Spin Retry Count
0B 100 100 __0 000000000000 Recalibration Retries
0C _98 _98 __0 000000000A40 Power Cycle Count
C0 200 200 __0 000000000058 Power-off Retract Count
C1 200 200 __0 0000000009EE Load/Unload Cycle Count
C2 100 _87 __0 00000000002B Temperature
C4 200 200 __0 000000000000 Reallocation Event Count
C5 196 196 __0 00000000014E Current Pending Sector Count
C6 200 200 __0 000000000000 Uncorrectable Sector Count
C7 200 200 __0 000000000000 UltraDMA CRC Error Count
C8 200 200 __0 000000000000 Write Error Rate

— IDENTIFY_DEVICE ———————————————————
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
000: 427A 3FFF C837 0010 0000 0000 003F 0000 0000 0000
010: 2020 2020 2057 442D 5743 4157 4630 3238 3733 3832
020: 0000 8000 0032 3035 2E30 3144 3035 5744 4320 5744
030: 3530 3030 4141 4B53 2D36 3556 3041 3020 2020 2020
040: 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 8010 0000 2F00
050: 4001 0000 0000 0007 3FFF 0010 003F FC10 00FB 0110
060: FFFF 0FFF 0000 0007 0003 0078 0078 0078 0078 0000
070: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 001F 1506 0000 004C 0040
080: 01FE 0000 7069 7E61 4123 7069 BE41 4123 407F 0000
090: 0000 0000 0000 0000 8080 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
100: 6030 3A38 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 5001 4EE1
110: 579B 7D54 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 4018
120: 4018 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
130: 0000 0000 0000 16EC 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
140: 0000 0000 0004 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
150: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
160: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
170: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
180: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
190: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
200: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 303F 0000 0000 0000
210: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
220: 0000 0000 101E 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
230: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0001 1000 0000 0000 0000 0000
240: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
250: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 E2A5

— SMART_READ_DATA ———————————————————
+0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 +7 +8 +9 +A +B +C +D +E +F
000: 10 00 01 2F 00 C8 C8 3B 1F 00 00 00 00 00 03 27
010: 00 8D 8B 55 0F 00 00 00 00 00 04 32 00 62 62 47
020: 0A 00 00 00 00 00 05 33 00 C8 C8 00 00 00 00 00
030: 00 00 07 2E 00 C8 C8 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 09 32
040: 00 58 58 28 23 00 00 00 00 00 0A 32 00 64 64 00
050: 00 00 00 00 00 00 0B 32 00 64 64 00 00 00 00 00
060: 00 00 0C 32 00 62 62 40 0A 00 00 00 00 00 C0 32
070: 00 C8 C8 58 00 00 00 00 00 00 C1 32 00 C8 C8 EE
080: 09 00 00 00 00 00 C2 22 00 64 57 2B 00 00 00 00
090: 00 00 C4 32 00 C8 C8 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 C5 32
0A0: 00 C4 C4 4E 01 00 00 00 00 00 C6 30 00 C8 C8 00
0B0: 00 00 00 00 00 00 C7 32 00 C8 C8 00 00 00 00 00
0C0: 00 00 C8 08 00 C8 C8 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
0D0: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
0E0: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
0F0: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
100: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
110: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
120: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
130: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
140: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
150: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
160: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 84 00 78 1E 01 7B
170: 03 00 01 00 02 5D 05 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
180: 00 00 01 02 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
190: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
1A0: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
1B0: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
1C0: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
1D0: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
1E0: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
1F0: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 EB

— SMART_READ_THRESHOLD —————————————————-
+0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 +7 +8 +9 +A +B +C +D +E +F
000: 10 00 01 33 C8 C8 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 03 15
010: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 04 00 00 00 00 00
020: 00 00 00 00 00 00 05 8C 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
030: 00 00 07 00 C8 C8 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 09 00
040: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0A 00 00 00 00 00
050: 00 00 00 00 00 00 0B 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
060: 00 00 0C 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 C0 00
070: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 C1 00 00 00 00 00
080: 00 00 00 00 00 00 C2 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
090: 00 00 C4 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 C5 00
0A0: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 C6 00 00 00 00 00
0B0: 00 00 00 00 00 00 C7 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
0C0: 00 00 C8 00 C8 C8 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
0D0: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
0E0: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
0F0: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
100: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
110: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
120: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
130: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
140: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
150: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
160: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
170: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
180: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
190: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
1A0: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
1B0: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
1C0: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
1D0: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
1E0: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
1F0: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0D

Maybe you can make sense of it.

I use the Standard Edition zip, 2.7MB.

cheers, Paul

Reply | Quote

Can you run the HP diagnostics on your hard disk?
http://www8.hp.com/us/en/campaigns/hpsupportassistant/pc-diags.html

cheers, Paul

Reply | Quote

I downloaded the HP diagnostics program. I might try it out tonight.

Can you run the HP diagnostics on your hard disk?
http://www8.hp.com/us/en/campaigns/hpsupportassistant/pc-diags.html

cheers, Paul

Reply | Quote

I wasn’t sure which version would be downloaded after hitting the Download link either.

I have HDDScan 3.3 installed but only use the S.M.A.R.T. bit – haven’t a clue about the Test Selection, but it should give all green lights. http://hddscan.com/

You can right click in its window – click on Select all – right click and select Copy then paste its output into the reply box for the hardware gurus to analyse for you.

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I don’t know exactly how to use this. It opens into some sort of zip file. How do you get it to work?

I wasn’t sure which version would be downloaded after hitting the Download link either.

I have HDDScan 3.3 installed but only use the S.M.A.R.T. bit – haven’t a clue about the Test Selection, but it should give all green lights. http://hddscan.com/

You can right click in its window – click on Select all – right click and select Copy then paste its output into the reply box for the hardware gurus to analyse for you.

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When you click on the .zip where it was downloaded to, click on Open in the top menu bar – click on the next one then on Extract all files – Extract – click on the next one then on Open then click on the one that is listed as Application.

It will auto recognise your HDD, so just click on the S.M.A.R.T. button.

When you want to use it again, just click on the one in Downloads listed as File folder then on Open.

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Well, I clicked on the buttons. I got nothing but a bunch of files and this:

HDDScan SCSI Log Pages Report
Model: ATA WDC WD5000AAKS-6
Firmware: 1D05
Serial:
LBA: 976773168

Report By: HDDScan for Windows version 3.3
Report Date: 3/12/2015 12:59:03 AM

Page Num Param Num Description Value

Don’t really know what it means but it doesn’t look like much, and it looks like that’s all there is.

When you click on the .zip where it was downloaded to, click on Open in the top menu bar – click on the next one then on Extract all files – Extract – click on the next one then on Open then click on the one that is listed as Application.

It will auto recognise your HDD, so just click on the S.M.A.R.T. button.

When you want to use it again, just click on the one in Downloads listed as File folder then on Open.

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HDSentinel is a much easier program to understand – it tells you if any action is required in the Overview. http://www.hdsentinel.com/download.php

It’s a paid for program normally but they have trial versions which you can download and open the same way as HDDScan 3.3 but hope you have better luck in running this one.

Download the first of the Limited Trial / Free Versions.

When you have the info you require, uninstall it and then if you want to use it again, just open the Application again in your Downloads folder.

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Nah, I”ll pass on this one. Crystal Disk Info might work better if I can make sense of the numbers. I tend to stay away from trial versions of anything.

HDSentinel is a much easier program to understand – it tells you if any action is required in the Overview. http://www.hdsentinel.com/download.php

It’s a paid for program normally but they have trial versions which you can download and open the same way as HDDScan 3.3 but hope you have better luck in running this one.

Download the first of the Limited Trial / Free Versions.

When you have the info you require, uninstall it and then if you want to use it again, just open the Application again in your Downloads folder.

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I have it sitting on mine to use as and when.

HDDScan 3.3 snagged 200 UltraDMA CRC errors on my HDD which is a communications problem, so I ran HDSentinel and it reported I’d had 193 of them but no further action was required, so it’s handy to have something that gives a report instead of just numbers.

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Health Status : Caution means your disk is not happy.
000000001F3B Read Error Rate: should be zero so you have lots of read errors.
00000000014E Current Pending Sector Count is sectors listed as bad by the disk drive but not yet fixed. Should be zero.

Your disk needs replacing now.
You need to make sure your backup is up to date, including a full image and recovery CD so you can restore to the new disk.

cheers, Paul

Reply | Quote

I have two image and recovery CDs so I’m okay with that. All I need is to find a store that sells HDDs.

Health Status : Caution means your disk is not happy.
000000001F3B Read Error Rate: should be zero so you have lots of read errors.
00000000014E Current Pending Sector Count is sectors listed as bad by the disk drive but not yet fixed. Should be zero.

Your disk needs replacing now.
You need to make sure your backup is up to date, including a full image and recovery CD so you can restore to the new disk.

cheers, Paul

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Bought a new HDD. 2TB; the old one had 500GB. Its label is simple, Desktop, WD. Its minimum requirements are a SATA host adapter card or SATA interface connector in motherboard. You think my PC already has that? I hope I don’t have to buy a new one on top of this. Also, a SATA cable (sold separately). Maybe my PC has that too? If so would it work with the new drive? Or do I have to buy a new one also?

Health Status : Caution means your disk is not happy.
000000001F3B Read Error Rate: should be zero so you have lots of read errors.
00000000014E Current Pending Sector Count is sectors listed as bad by the disk drive but not yet fixed. Should be zero.

Your disk needs replacing now.
You need to make sure your backup is up to date, including a full image and recovery CD so you can restore to the new disk.

cheers, Paul

Reply | Quote

Also, your disk temperature is too high:
Temperature : 43 C (109 F)

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

Reply | Quote

Yeah, it looked too high. That was worrying. Is it related to the disk itself or the PC in general?

Also, your disk temperature is too high:
Temperature : 43 C (109 F)

Reply | Quote

Yeah, it looked too high. That was worrying. Is it related to the disk itself or the PC in general?

Likely the disk itself.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

Reply | Quote

The salesman at Office Depot suggested either dust or a bad fan. I hope I won’t have to buy a new fan.

Also, your disk temperature is too high:
Temperature : 43 C (109 F)

Reply | Quote

All you need is a SATA hard disk, all cables already exist in your PC.
If the fan is unwell you will see high CPU temperatures. You can check this with HWMonitor – the free edition.
If your PC is dusty you can clean it with a vacuum cleaner on low power.

cheers, Paul

Reply | Quote

…If your PC is dusty you can clean it with a vacuum cleaner on low power…

I have a 16CFM air-compressor regulated to 120PSI. Blows out dust & fluff really well. Vacuum cleaners suck!:)

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Installed it. Didn’t see much of anything on it. Couldn’t figure it out. So I uninstalled it.

All you need is a SATA hard disk, all cables already exist in your PC.
If the fan is unwell you will see high CPU temperatures. You can check this with HWMonitor – the free edition.
If your PC is dusty you can clean it with a vacuum cleaner on low power.

cheers, Paul

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I wouldn’t blow dust out of a PC because it may also blow dust into places I don’t want, not to mention bits in my eyes.

cheers, Paul

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I wouldn’t blow dust out of a PC because it may also blow dust into places I don’t want, not to mention bits in my eyes.

cheers, Paul

I’ve cleaned PCs including my own for years by blowing them out with compressed air with only positive effects. The only other option would be to use vacuum which is much less effective in the small nooks and crannies of a PC>

Jerry

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You just scroll down a bit to the CPU temperatures.

cheers, Paul

39822-Capture

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Well, I installed the new hard drive. Everything is performing at a much better level. Loading speeds are far better, no freezes or plug-in and script issues. Thanks everybody for your help. I probably wouldn’t have been able to track down the problem without it. This site’s terrific and so are you 🙂

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Now you can hit the old disk with something very big to show it who’s boss! And to make sure the data is not recovered by someone when you throw the disk away.

cheers, Paul

Reply | Quote

Now’s your chance to take the old disk apart, so you can see what is in it.

The platters make good coasters.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

Reply | Quote

Well, I don’t think I have the right equipment for it. Maybe I can borrow a sledgehammer from the CONSTRUCTION THAT’S GOING ON RIGHT OUTSIDE MY WINDOW, AAAARRRRGH! Now I seem to be having issues with my Windows and HP updates. Something seems to be blocking them. I tell you, the software gods hate me. Grrrrr!

Now’s your chance to take the old disk apart, so you can see what is in it.

The platters make good coasters.

Reply | Quote

The platters make good coasters.

And don’t forget those wonderful magnets!!

🍻

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

Reply | Quote

Did this ever get resolved?

Reply | Quote

Did this ever get resolved?

Apparently the problems tiger4 described in his #1 post turned out to be caused by his hard drive failing.

See tiger4’s #88 post.

Seems to match the problem you describe at: http://windowssecrets.com/forums/showthread//168642-Myriad-of-connectivity-issues

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