Random Network Slowdown

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I’m installing Win 7 on a Dell Dimension E520 that is equipped with a built-in Intel 82562V 10/100 NIC. I’ve experienced the same problem with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Win 7. I’ve installed the latest driver from Intel for each version.

The problem is a random slowdown/stop of all network traffic. The system will work fine for hours, then suddenly a download stops right in the middle. The only solution seems to be rebooting. After a reboot it will probably be fine and sometimes (like tonight) I can go several hours and never have a problem.

This problem also occurred in the 32 bit version when I installed a 3Com 3c905 NIC and disabled the onboard Intel NIC. So I’m really puzzled and the event logs contain no entries that provide a clue.

How can I pin down if this is a hardware problem (and what component it is) or if it is a Windows problem?

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I’m installing Win 7 on a Dell Dimension E520 that is equipped with a built-in Intel 82562V 10/100 NIC. I’ve experienced the same problem with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Win 7. I’ve installed the latest driver from Intel for each version.

The problem is a random slowdown/stop of all network traffic. The system will work fine for hours, then suddenly a download stops right in the middle. The only solution seems to be rebooting. After a reboot it will probably be fine and sometimes (like tonight) I can go several hours and never have a problem.

This problem also occurred in the 32 bit version when I installed a 3Com 3c905 NIC and disabled the onboard Intel NIC. So I’m really puzzled and the event logs contain no entries that provide a clue.

How can I pin down if this is a hardware problem (and what component it is) or if it is a Windows problem?

I know you are saying this is a network problem – and yes it probably is related to a NIC or ethernet cable with intermittent and hard to diagnose problems – but I wouldnt go there first after reading what you have said. I would be looking at possible hard drive issues. Can you slave the C drive to another computer and do a chkdsk /r on it that way? If not go into Computer and right click on C drive, go to Properties then Tools and do a disk check making sure each box is ticked. When it says it has to schedule for next reboot, say yes and reboot straight away and let it check. The reason I say to slave it to another computer is that if you arent watching at the right 10 seconds if you dont slave it, you dont get to see the report straight away where slaving it, you can see it as soon as it is finished and you notice that it has done so.

I would also be looking at overheating of the drive or CPU and also at dud ram sticks. You might also check your virtual memory is set adequately.

Lastly, if all the above is OK, start the machine in safe mode with networking and download something large. Does it happen then? If not then it could be a Windows or infection issue. If it DOES happen then and all hardware issues above have been checked, then start looking for the culprit being on another machine or device connected to the network. Spurious rubbish from a malfunctioning NIC elsewhere on the network CAN lead to this happening if the network overloads and for some reason that confuses your computer. Personally, I am leaning towards the hard drive right now.

Greg.

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Thanks, Greg. Although I figured that the network behavior might be the symptom of something else, I would never have thought of checking the disk. This is a brand new drive and a fresh installation of Win 7 that included formatting the disk. I was able to slave it and chkdsk did find some unused areas that were marked as in use, but no problems with data areas.

I’ll see what it does and try cables & ram sticks (one at a time). Of course since it’s random, this could take awhile

Ernie

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