system hangs while on internet

[admin]

We have a small network using NT 4.0 workstation. We often have trouble with the system hanging when on the internet. We switched from Internet Explorer to Netscape and still had problem. We now occassionally have problem with Microsoft Outlook temporarily freezing up and not allowing us to delete emails.

The only way to recover from the internet hang is to reboot. Our DSL and email is provided through our DSL service provider. They could see no problems and suggested we enable ports on the firewall as a possible solution. We just did that and still have the trouble.

I am very non-technical and am at a loss as to how to clear this up. Sometimes it will be days between hangs for me and other days I will have to reboot a dozen times. There is one website we can count on to hang up everytime.

Thanks for any suggestions,

Clara

[scada]

First let me say that I feel your pain. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

DSL service in a "work enviroment" can be pure hell. Does your DSL service provider work with Covad? If so I would have them send someone out to check your bridge or router and possible replace it. (Covad calls the "box" connecting you to your DSL line different names depending on how your setup) Covad ( and there are a few of these middlemen but all should be able to provide this support) can also run test to check the DSL line for you.

Another possible problem is interference from a TI or other high "noise" line. A big problem with "bussiness" DSL service is that if the DSL line is placed to close to a T1 line. The interference from the T1 can disable your DSL. ( We had this problem and it took 3 weeks to fix. One reason we don't use DSL anymore.)


What kind of firewall do you use? and what ports did you "enable" or open?
Also are you connected directly to the DSL "box" or does your connection go thur another computer/box before reaching the DSL line.


Post back a few details and I'll try to help or point you in the right direction.

[admin]

Thanks for being so willing to help out, here are more details:

We currently use Verio who is partnered with Northpoint (will see how Northpoint fares…).

Each pc connects directly to a Netopia R7100 router which is connected to the DSL. Verio did ping our line while I was on the phone with them and had me unplug the router and then restart. When that did not fix the problem, he asked his coworkers and was given the suggestion that we investigate the firewall. It is the basic firewall protection through the router. I called netopia and we enabled ports 110 and 85. Port 25 was already enabled.


Our router only has 8 connections. If we just bought a new one (same make/model), could I simply unplug the old one and plug in the new one? I suppose a bigger router with more connections would require some set-up beyond being plugged in?

Thanks so much for your help, I am truly a beginner with this stuff and am not noticing a great affinity for rapid knowledge gain in this area.
http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[scada]

No problem I'm happy to help http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

The ports they had you enable are "mail" services (port 110 and 25) and I'm guessing you meant to type 80 instead of 85 so that would open up web browsing. So far so good.

If you buy another Router you will have to reconfigure it unless you have Verio send you another one. ( In which case it should come preconfigured for you.)I don't think the Netopia R series routers come any bigger than the 8 port model,But even if it did the setup would be the same. They come with a CD that installs the "configuration" software. The program has an easy setup option that walks you thur configuring the router.(easy as long as you have the DSL information from Verio) The hardest part would be configuring one workstation to communicate with the router before you ran the Netopia setup software.


Also have you had Northpoint check the Router and the cable that connects
it to the "wall" port? If I remember correctly that cable should be shielded and can cause problems if it's not. ( For us Covad did the install of the router and would also service it if needed. Hopefully Northpoint will do the same.)

Also check with Netopia and be certain you have the latest Firmware update.
The firmware is proably not the cause of your problems, but I would check anyway.


I'll do some further digging and post back anything I find that might help.




[This message has been edited by scada (edited 12-11-2000).]

[admin]

Scada,

Upon yet more investigations, it seems that this problem is only occuring with the desktops using NT 4.0.

We have a laptop on the network using windows 98. He says that he has never had either problem. I did some searches on google and found that something similar had been occuring and was apparently fixed with sp3. We have sp 5 and sp6 on the desktops.

I understand that Microsoft charges $200+ an hour for assistance, so I won't be calling them anytime soon.

Thanks again for your help.

[scada]

Service Pack 6 and 5 should contain any fixes from service pack 3.
I would reapply the service pack or download service pack 6a and apply it.