ME + Router = Explorer hangs

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clsturgeon@talk21.com - 07 Sep 2005 23:58 GMT

I have seen other posts that are very related to this issue, but
without resolution.

I have a DLink router and when connected to my ancient WinME machine
(which I refuse to upgrade at this time) via the proper patch ethernet
cable, Explorer continuously hangs the computer. IE is basically
useless do to this, however, I can navigate very successfully with
Firefox (but I must "end task" explorer every few minutes).

If I connect the ME machine directly to the cable modem the machine
works just fine... this connection can be via ethernet or USB... both
work okay.

The ethernet card has been replaced--same issue. Ethernet cables have
also moved around to ensure cables are okay.

I also have three other machines... 2 XP machines (one wireless) and a
win98 machine. They all work just fine on the router.

Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks,

Craig

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Gary Goodings - 08 Sep 2005 03:24 GMT

Are you directly wired in or using wireless?
Gary

> I have seen other posts that are very related to this issue, but
> without resolution.
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
> Craig

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clsturgeon@talk21.com - 08 Sep 2005 14:20 GMT

Directly wired.

Craig

> Are you directly wired in or using wireless?
> Gary
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> >
> > Craig

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Steve Winograd [MVP] - 08 Sep 2005 07:50 GMT

>I have seen other posts that are very related to this issue, but
>without resolution.
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
>Craig

I'm not sure from your description whether it's Windows Explorer
(explorer.exe) or Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) that's hanging.

With the computer connected to the router, go to this site and see if
it recommends any TCP/IP tweaks:

http://www.dslreports.com/tweaks

Go to Windows Update and install all critical patches.

Have you tried different ports on the router?

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Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
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clsturgeon@talk21.com - 08 Sep 2005 14:45 GMT

I am refering to Explorer (not IE), though IE when launched does cause
Explorer to hang; just as launching Control Panel and any other service
using Explorer components.

The machine is using IE 6 (SP1). I have reviewed the ME critical
patches and have applied them to the system.

I have tried all the ports... no help, same results.

Explorer starts to hang shortly after the network cable is plugged into
the ethernet card. i.e. the system acts up immediately if the cable is
connected during boot--and the system runs fine without the cable
attached.

I had to use Firefox (for obvious reasons) and tried the
dslreports.com... and all comments were "looking good".

Thanks,

Craig

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Noel Paton - 08 Sep 2005 14:50 GMT

That magical word ME - and Explorer....

Have you by any chance reinstalled ME over itself after installing IE6??

Such symptoms are frequently the result of mistakenly attempting to
reinstall ME over itself without first reverting back to IE5.5 - the
resulting 'Version Soup' is almost impossible to repair, and the only sure
way known is to completely remove IE and then reinstall whichever version
you require.

Instructions for this process are here
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/ReInIE.htm

Please post back if you need more details - preferably before attempting the
process!!<g>

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Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

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>I am refering to Explorer (not IE), though IE when launched does cause
> Explorer to hang; just as launching Control Panel and any other service
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> Craig

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clsturgeon@talk21.com - 08 Sep 2005 16:21 GMT

Hi Noel,

Thanks for the quick reply. I have not reinstalled ME as the machine
is an e-machine, which came with ME. To do so would mean reinstalling
the system image.

I have seen a few posts here and elsewhere on the web with similar (if
not the exact same issue)... eg.

http://www.computing.net/windowsme/wwwboard/forum/45014.html

Thanks,

Craig

> That magical word ME - and Explorer....
>
[quoted text clipped - 42 lines]
> >
> > Craig

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Noel Paton - 08 Sep 2005 16:40 GMT

(it doesn't necessarily mean that at all. It can be done from the in-disk
backup files - but that's a whole different ballgame)

you may have spyware
Such errors may be caused by spyware - download AdAware from
www.lavasoftusa.com, install, update, and run it to remove spyware, adware,
and other such nasties from your system.

also run the LSPFix from here
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm

Signature

> Hi Noel,
>
[quoted text clipped - 59 lines]
>> >
>> > Craig

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clsturgeon@talk21.com - 08 Sep 2005 18:19 GMT

I could list everything I have tried... but this machine has been in
this state for weeks now and I have tried so many things.

I have used a few adware software components in an attempt to remove
any nasty components. Norton Anti-virus 2005, ad-aware and spybot have
all been used. A few minor things were found and removed. Removing
them were no help.

I just tried LSP-Fix.. it did not find any registry issues.

During the hangs I have monitored Explorer with Regmon and Filemon. I
have not been able see any unusal activities. But, I can rerun the
monitors and identify what the last activity is before the hang. But,
I think that will be of little help to anyone.

I'd like to know if anyone who has had this issue has ever solved it.

Thanks,

Craig

> (it doesn't necessarily mean that at all. It can be done from the in-disk
> backup files - but that's a whole different ballgame)
[quoted text clipped - 80 lines]
> >> >
> >> > Craig

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Noel Paton - 08 Sep 2005 19:28 GMT

Norton -the magic word!! You may well find that if you get rid of that POS,
you'll get back to normal!

Signature

>I could list everything I have tried... but this machine has been in
> this state for weeks now and I have tried so many things.
[quoted text clipped - 110 lines]
>> >> >
>> >> > Craig

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clsturgeon@talk21.com - 08 Sep 2005 20:14 GMT

Noel,

I already did... it was installed to see if it could locate any issues.
It was then uninstalled.

> Norton -the magic word!! You may well find that if you get rid of that POS,
> you'll get back to normal!
[quoted text clipped - 123 lines]
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Craig

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Noel Paton - 08 Sep 2005 20:30 GMT

Just uninstalling Norton Anti-Virus is not enough - you then have to
Uninstall the rest of the Symantec malware.... and run the manual Removal
tool that they provide... and then do a manual registry clean... and then...
and then.....

Signature

> Noel,
>
[quoted text clipped - 139 lines]
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Craig

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Noel Paton - 08 Sep 2005 08:58 GMT

Make sure that the TCP/IP settings are correct for the ME box - and that you
do not have Proxy settings configured

Signature

>I have seen other posts that are very related to this issue, but
> without resolution.
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
> Craig

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clsturgeon@talk21.com - 08 Sep 2005 14:31 GMT

TCP/IP settings appear okay to me. And no, there are no proxy settings
configured. Thanks, Craig.

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