Problems loading websites in IE and FireFox

abbas5001

Hey all,

I've noticed over the past few weeks that I've been having some Internet access problems. The problem was especially bad last week when in both IE and Firefox I'd try and access sites and they wouldn't fully load, with the 'Opening page....' or 'Downloading image...' in the bottom left corner of IE, it would stay like this meaning pages would be missing images and of those that did load they would take longer and load very slowly bit by bit. I noticed when i deactivated Zonealarm Internet Security the problem would ease but would remain. I also noticed when i would click a link some sites would not load at all or would initiate downloading but then do nothing so if was left with the blank screen and would have to hit the back button and try again. I ran a virus scan and actually found a virus which i deleted and the problem seemed to be fixed.

However, past few days and today i have the same problem. Scanned for a virus with Zonealarm and Trendscan but both have found nothing. I would have thought it was a firewall problem as my browser doesn't seem to be downloading then suddenly does but stops a few seconds later, however disabling Zonealarm helped the problem but not significantly, as would be expected with disabling any firewall as its one less obstacle for the connection.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

wacko911

Could be about 20 things of the top of my head.

I would start with checking for spyware, use 2 or 3 good scanners, not always detected by antivirus programs, and the 'virus' you had prob, installed a load of spyware (it was a trojan downloader). Use hijack this and post a log of what it finds.

Remove ZA, install something lite like Kerio personal firewall v2.15 (the last free version).

Disable windows firewall (you can enable it again if that isnt it)

Are you using wireless - if so that may be your problem - weak signal or your router needs rebooted or your neighbour is using all your bandwidth?

Are you using a wired router - again reboot it

ISP problems, check you ISP website for 'Status' maybe they have been having service outages. Go to thinkbroadband.com and do a speedtest. Check what speed your modem/router is syncing at, could be a faulty extension lead at your end giving you slow speeds, are all your micro-filters still in place, disconnect your house phones (and skybox) and try your connection - does it make a difference?

DNS, switch over to OPENDNS.COM its free, its faster and it blocks nastys like spyware sites or optionally !!!!!! and stuff if you have kids.

Do you have limewire, or bittorrent software running? This could consume all your bandwidth

Go Start, Run Type 'CMD' and then'netstat' with nothing loaded (ie or firefox) this will show all the connections to the Internet your computer is making, if there is loads something is running in the background.

Still loads of things it could be, post back your findings.