OT: A computer annoyance - help wanted!

capnq · #1 January 19th, 2008, 08:08 AM

My suggested solution is to look into upgrading to broadband. My new DSL account is actually cheaper than what I was paying for dialup.

Raapys · #2 January 19th, 2008, 11:37 AM

I've had some similar experiences, but how I solved it or even if I did is unknown to me. That said, a reinstallation of Windows usually fixes such things, although that's often not a fun thing to do. Suppose you could try to update the modem drivers, though.

Spoo · #3 January 19th, 2008, 11:56 AM

Open the task manager before dialing in with the modem. Watch to see what is using 100% cpu.

Xrati · #4 January 19th, 2008, 02:55 PM

Also, while you have the task manager open check to see what processes are running and how much 'K' they're using. Mainly watch explorer.exe (not IEXPLORER.EXE, two different programs) explorer is gennerally the program responsible for your problem. As Raapys says a reinstall may be what you need. Try updating the modem drives too...

narf poit chez BOOM · #5 January 19th, 2008, 02:57 PM

'Also, I've checked CPU performance while it's refusing to load any programs, and it's at minimal levels, with no processes running that aren't "usual".'

Atrocities · #6 January 19th, 2008, 03:19 PM

Sounds like a network reallocation of resources issue to me. When you go from say DSL to dial up, your system has to reconfigure everything for that connection. Depending on your system that could cause a period of delay as your CPU is taxed to deal with the redistribution of network resources. Additionally depending upon who the dial up provider is, say net zero, their software, when activated, takes over your system and for a lack of a better term, has a party. Those dial up bastards need to make money so they build in malware and other "proprietary" software into their dial up software that when activated, start a tone of other programs that in turn swamp the cpu with resource demands.

Renegade 13 · #7 January 19th, 2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

capnq said:
My suggested solution is to look into upgrading to broadband. My new DSL account is actually cheaper than what I was paying for dialup.

DSL isn't available in my area. Yep, I live in the stone ages.

Quote:

Open the task manager before dialing in with the modem. Watch to see what is using 100% cpu.

Also, while you have the task manager open check to see what processes are running and how much 'K' they're using. Mainly watch explorer.exe (not IEXPLORER.EXE, two different programs) explorer is gennerally the program responsible for your problem.

As mentioned in my original post (

) I have done this without noticing anything out of the ordinary.

Quote:

When you go from say DSL to dial up, your system has to reconfigure everything for that connection. Depending on your system that could cause a period of delay as your CPU is taxed to deal with the redistribution of network resources.

This might make sense if I was switching from DSL to dial-up, but I'm not; I'm always in dial-up, so nothing should need to be reconfigured. Also, I would presume that if this was the issue, it would take a roughly equivalent time each time to resolve its issues, whereas in reality it takes anywhere from a couple minutes to a few hours.

I will first off take a look at upgrading the modem drivers, thanks for the suggestion... shoulda thought of that myself!! I will also take another look at the processes running when the problem occurs, just in case I missed something last time. Thanks guy, and I'll keep you apprised