Got a new computer recently after a component on the old motherboard went pop, its running Vista. I've connected to the internet using my old modem which worked perfectly for ages, and am using the same ISP etc., I have updated the drivers to the Vista version. The problem is that practically all programs which are using the internet stop responding and cannot be ended after a couple of hours, particularly Torrent Clients and Browsers. Alternatively, the browsers will tell me the connection has been refused on every website. If I then disconnect from the internet and try to reconnect, I cannot, it is always solved by restarting though.

I've already tried uninstalling/reinstalling drivers, Anti-Virus software, Firewalls etc., Anyone got any ideas?

perhaps a publicly viewable forum would be better for this one? Such as general chatter?

True enough, just used to clicking on Rants, more interesting threads tend to be in here. Be grateful if a mod would move it.

done.

Kietotheworld wrote:Got a new computer recently after a component on the old motherboard went pop, ...

I've already tried uninstalling/reinstalling drivers, Anti-Virus software, Firewalls etc., Anyone got any ideas?

If you've got a Live CD of some Linux distro(I'd reccomend Kubuntu) I'd boot on that, and if it recognizes a modem, and can use it, see if you can connect to the internet, and also run torrents (many distros come with software for that default, without any installing of anything). If it works, then you know vista has issues, and you didn't even need to install anything to do it.

I'd also consult google and see if anyone has had similar issues, and possible ways to fix it.

d3jake wrote: If you've got a Live CD of some Linux distro(I'd reccomend Kubuntu) I'd boot on that, and if it recognizes a modem, and can use it, see if you can connect to the internet, and also run torrents (many distros come with software for that default, without any installing of anything). If it works, then you know vista has issues, and you didn't even need to install anything to do it.

I've never even seen another operating system apart from OSX. Would all I need to do be to insert the CD before the computer starts up? Also, how would the Linux react to the fact the modem needs drivers, and the only ones I can get are for Vista?

I'd also consult google and see if anyone has had similar issues, and possible ways to fix it.

Tried it, was of no help.

When the internet connection goes "pop", what shows up if you go to "my network"? Can you see the modem?

Also, what kind of modem is it, are you using a router, etc. etc.

Kietotheworld wrote:Also, how would the Linux react to the fact the modem needs drivers, and the only ones I can get are for Vista?

Hmmmm. I'd assumed we were talking about an ADSL modem when you first started but that shouldn't require drivers. So you mean a 56k modem, right?

Either way, modem drivers really do sound like the culprits for this one to me.

Not if it's a USB ADSL modem. Also the motherboard could need Ethernet drivers in the case of a router (or a USB Wifi adapter, of course).

I've had this problem (inexplicably) with Zonealarm, which necessitated moving to another firewall. But I presume you've tried that. I'm also presuming theres no problems with the modem config, like port-blocking etc (as I think that'd block all traffic).

What's your ipconfig? (command line - ipconfig /all)

What type of modem is it?

Also, if you do try Linux (drivers aside), try DSL (Damn Small Linux) - http://damnsmalllinux.org/. It's like Knoppix, but small enough to fit in a >50MB USB stick. I'd recommend it in any case, as it's a very handy recovery OS.

Matthew wrote:When the internet connection goes "pop", what shows up if you go to "my network"? Can you see the modem?

Yes, it says it is connected

Also, what kind of modem is it,

Speedtouch USB 330.

are you using a router, etc. etc.

No

Hmmmm. I'd assumed we were talking about an ADSL modem when you first started but that shouldn't require drivers. So you mean a 56k modem, right?

USB Modem

karajorma wrote: Either way, modem drivers really do sound like the culprits for this one to me.

Its what I assumed but no-one else has had any issues with it as far as I can tell from Google.

aldo wrote:Not if it's a USB ADSL modem. Also the motherboard could need Ethernet drivers in the case of a router (or a USB Wifi adapter, of course).

I've had this problem (inexplicably) with Zonealarm, which necessitated moving to another firewall. But I presume you've tried that. I'm also presuming theres no problems with the modem config, like port-blocking etc (as I think that'd block all traffic).

What's your ipconfig? (command line - ipconfig /all)

What type of modem is it?

Also, if you do try Linux (drivers aside), try DSL (Damn Small Linux) - http://damnsmalllinux.org/. It's like Knoppix, but small enough to fit in a >50MB USB stick. I'd recommend it in any case, as it's a very handy recovery OS.

Kietotheworld wrote:Speedtouch USB 330.

Well that explains a lot.

Furthermore, the Speedtouch 330 was one of the last DSL modems to be supported by Microsoft Windows Vista, and many ISPs are still having problems with the modem.

F**k me I cannot believe I didn't see that. Thanks.

Kietotheworld wrote:I've never even seen another operating system apart from OSX. Would all I need to do be to insert the CD before the computer starts up? Also, how would the Linux react to the fact the modem needs drivers, and the only ones I can get are for Vista?

Yes, boot into it, so make sure your BIOS is set to check your circular plastic media drive (CD\DVD) for boot media.

As for drivers, there's a chance that SOMEONE out there has that modem and doesn't want to use vista, and at the very least there might be some general drivers that may work with your modem as a sort of "blanket driver to get it working on some capacity".