IE6 takes minutes to load per page if it loads at all 1

[RuralCS]

Hi All,
I've searched about the last 12 pages of related topics, and still no luck...
Running W2K SP4 on a Gateway E-3200 PIII 550, 384MB.
IE 6.0.2800.1106CO.
When I connect to the Internet, I see "Downloading <page>", and 1 of 3 things happens:
1) It takes 3 to 5 minutes for the page (and each subsequent page) to load.
2) The page only partially loads, then stops while the status bar and globe keep moving, or
3) The page fails to load and IE times out.

I can ping fine, tracert turns up no problems. Ad-aware turned up no spyware; Norton shows no viruses; I have no firewall installed and NAV is disabled; I've tried reinstalling IE (can't find a way to repair it in W2K); I've verified IE settings per other users' recommendations; checked network adapter settings; repaired winsock; swapped NICs; power-cycled modem (Comcast cable)--Nothing seems to work. (I was unsuccessful at using system file checker--it prompted me for the 2K disc, which I didn't have).

I don't have the W2K disc, unfortunately, or I would have tried to repair/reinstall it. I can't think of anything else that may be causing this. I see no error messages, no problem devices in device mgr, nothing that leads me to a specific cause. The only thing questionable is that on IE's Help screen, it says "This is a customized version of Internet Explorer"--I'm not sure how it was customized. I've tried uninstalling IE6 (thru Add/Remove Windows components), and reinstalling a fresh one from disc, but this description still shows up.

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[RuralCS]

UPDATE:
After much playing around, I've discovered that if I disconnect the network cable and reboot with the cable still disconnected, when I log in and then plug the cable back in, I can connect to the Internet without error 100% of the time.

Anyone have any ideas why this occurs? Perhaps an IP address/lease not being renewed or something similar?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[PAndersen]

An idea to run Fred Langa's BrowserTune (?)

http://www.browsertune.com/bt2kfast/

 

[bcastner]

1. Do an Ipconfig /all with your current workaround, and record the results.

2. Reboot (cable attached, your non-workaround setup) and do an Ipconfig /all and record the results.

Are they identical?

 

[RuralCS]

I ran the Browser Tune (1 & 2), and nothing significant turned up except fluctuating cable speeds.

I compared ipconfigs between the non-working configuration and the working configuration--they are identical. The only thing I can see worth mentioning is that the clock is set 12 hours off. Please don't tell me that this is the cause...

Here's both ipconfigs if interested:

*****************************************************
ORIGINAL IPCONFIG (NON-WORKING INTERNET CONNECTION)
*****************************************************

Windows 2000 IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : wkl-jlw-t000348
Primary DNS Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : comcast.net

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : comcast.net
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 3Com 3C918 Integrated Fast Ethernet
Controller (3C905B-TX Compatible)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-E0-B8-16-D9-1D
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.101
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 204.127.204.8
216.148.227.204
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, March 26, 2004 7:37:32 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 27, 2004 7:37:32 PM




************************************************
UNPLUGGED IPCONFIG (WORKING INTERNET CONNECTION)
************************************************

Windows 2000 IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : wkl-jlw-t000348
Primary DNS Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : comcast.net

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : comcast.net
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 3Com 3C918 Integrated Fast Ethernet
Controller (3C905B-TX Compatible)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-E0-B8-16-D9-1D
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.101
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 204.127.204.8
216.148.227.204
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, March 26, 2004 7:37:32 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 27, 2004 7:37:32 PM

 

[RuralCS]

I reset the time and ran the tests. Unfortunately, and thankfully, this didn't fix the problem.

Also, I tried modifying the test a bit. Instead of rebooting w/cable unplugged, I released the IP addresses, unplugged the cable, waited a bit, plugged the cable back in and renewed, and this DID NOT fix the problem. So, as I understand it, it is something that occurs during bootup that is causing the problem.

 

[bcastner]

1. Does it boot noticably faster with the cable unplugged?

2. How old are your 3Com 3C918 Integrated Fast Ethernet
drivers? If there is an adapter bonding feature, is this disabled?

3. Is the modem acting as the DHCP server / router, or do you have a router appliance connected to the modem? If the latter, how old is the firmware?

 

[RuralCS]

1. Does it boot noticably faster with the cable unplugged?
No noticeable difference.


2. How old are your 3Com 3C918 Integrated Fast Ethernet
drivers? If there is an adapter bonding feature, is this disabled?
Drivers are dated 8/16/2002 (version 5.0.2195.6601). I searched for updated drivers both thru Windows Update as well as from 3com.com, but no new drivers found. I'm not sure about an adapter bonding feature; any advice on how to find out? The advanced settings I see, as well as their current settings, are:

802.1p Support - Disable
Duplex Mode - Hardware Default
Flow Control - Enable
Media Type - Hardware Default
Network Address - Not Present
RX Checksum Offload - Enable
TX Checksum Offload - Enable


3. Is the modem acting as the DHCP server / router, or do you have a router appliance connected to the modem? If the latter, how old is the firmware?
Right now, I'm only using the cable modem. I've had it set up both with just the modem, and with a modem and Linksys router.

Thanks for your responses.

 

[RuralCS]

Well, I think my problem is resolved. A friend suggested that Win2K has problems determining network speed, and that I change the adapter from "Auto" or "Hardware Default" (which it was set to) to the correct speed. I changed the Media Type setting to 10BaseT and rebooted (with the network cable attached), and was able to connect to the Internet instantly.

Thanks for your help along the way bcastner[/color blue]