I have a Dell Optiplex 320 running Windows XP Pro SP3 with, as of tonight, all critical updates installed. I'm using a Perle PCI-RAS 8 modem card for OUTBOUND dialing that I updated to the latest drivers via Perle's website (2.6.11.0). I use these modem connections to dial out to multiple Linux-based servers for remote administration via a PPP connection.
Recently, I've developed a two-fold problem. The first problem to develop was my connections would hang at the "verifying username and password" stage. They just do nothing until the connection times out. If I try again, usually it would go through just fine. Sometimes it will hang a second time, but connect fine on the third try. This has been going on for months, but seems to be getting worse.
The second problem to develop is that I lose IP connectivity at seemingly random times AFTER my call is established. I'll get connected and I'll have IP connectivity to the remote PC for anywhere from 2 seconds to 20 minutes, but then it just abruptly stops. I don't get disconnected from the modem and my IP connectivity appears to be functional, but no IP traffic goes across the connection. If I hangup and try it again, it's fine for another random interval. My LAN connection stays working fine.
This happens with dozens of different machines that are all running different versions of OS and are on different platforms so I know it's my computer.
I haven’t installed any software recently. I have reset my TCP/IP stack via the ‘netsh’ command. I have removed and reinstalled the software for the Perle PCI-RAS card. I’ve removed all components from the Device Manager and rebooted my PC. I’ve even tried different phone lines. Same results. I’m baffled.
Does anyone have any ideas as to what the problem may be? Thanks in advance.
-Richard
Recently, I've developed a two-fold problem. The first problem to develop was my connections would hang at the "verifying username and password" stage. They just do nothing until the connection times out. If I try again, usually it would go through just fine. Sometimes it will hang a second time, but connect fine on the third try. This has been going on for months, but seems to be getting worse.
The second problem to develop is that I lose IP connectivity at seemingly random times AFTER my call is established. I'll get connected and I'll have IP connectivity to the remote PC for anywhere from 2 seconds to 20 minutes, but then it just abruptly stops. I don't get disconnected from the modem and my IP connectivity appears to be functional, but no IP traffic goes across the connection. If I hangup and try it again, it's fine for another random interval. My LAN connection stays working fine.
This happens with dozens of different machines that are all running different versions of OS and are on different platforms so I know it's my computer.
I haven’t installed any software recently. I have reset my TCP/IP stack via the ‘netsh’ command. I have removed and reinstalled the software for the Perle PCI-RAS card. I’ve removed all components from the Device Manager and rebooted my PC. I’ve even tried different phone lines. Same results. I’m baffled.
Does anyone have any ideas as to what the problem may be? Thanks in advance.
-Richard