Browser stops working but Internet still connected

I'm having this problem on a Vista 64 bit machine, but it also happens on a
machine using plain old 32-bit XP (though the processor is a single core,
AMD 64-bit).

I sometimes have problems connecting to websites using the browser. But at
the same time, I can still check email and participate in NGs (as I am now).
I can download data from financial institutions using Quicken. Instant
messenger programs work.

So, while the browser has trouble connecting, the Internet connection is
obviously still there and working because these other programs show that to
be the case. I tried installing the Opera browser, and it can't connect
either during these periods either. So it's not just an IE problem.

Both the Vista 64 and the XP 32 machines go through the same DSL modem. The
Vista machine is connected wirelessly to the DSL modem.

Both are using IE7. The Vista machine is using the version that came on the
Vista Ultimate 64-bit OEM disk. The 32-bit machine is using a version I
downloaded several months earlier.

While I was in the process of writing this, a box popped up in the corner of
my screen telling me that Avast AV has been updated. Usually that box pops
up at bootup. But just now the machine had been on for several minutes when
it popped up. Once that happened, I figured whatever had been the problem
had ended, so I fired up Opera and it connected. (Before anyone says the
problem was caused by the AV update, I can assure you that's not the case.
The problem happens on two machines and I have that AV only loaded on one.
I've also had the AV update on bootup, but then have this connectivity
problem show up later.)

Two more things:

1) When this problem happens, if I put my cursor over the internet
connection icon in the system tray (on the Vista machine), it will show the
connection and say "local access only." When I'm not having problems with
the browser, it will show "Local and Internet."

2) When this problem occurs, I usually can still access my company's email
website. I'm not sure, but I assume my company's email server is in the same
city as my home, which is why I can access it. But I can't access any other
internet sites.

So, I guess my questions are:

1) What is "local access only"? Is it a problem with my ISP? With my DSL
modem?

2) And why, when in "local access" mode, can I still get stuff from
non-local sources while using Windows Mail, Quicken and instant messenger?

 

Just to clarify: As I point out near the end of the message, I can check
email and newsgroups using Windows Mail in Vista. So while the browsers
won't connect, Windows Mail can still connect (as can Quicken and instant
messaging).

 

Sounds almost exactly like the problem I had several weeks ago. None of the
few ideas helped and I resorted to a system restore. You can check my
postings and replies from 3/19 and earlier. My find isn't working for some
reason, maybe yours will. Both had IE7 in the subject

 

Thanks, John.
Since my problem is occurring on two machines, I don't think that anything
you do to a specific machine is really a solution. I'm thinking it must be
from the DSL modem and out; not from anything that happens between the DSL
modem and anything connected to it in the house.
Curious: Is that your real email address or a spam trap? I'm on Bellsouth
DSL. Was just checking to make sure you're not as well, cause if you are,
that could be an explanation. Also note that BellSouth and ATT just merged,
so if you're on any provider somehow connected with AT&T, that may be a
common point as well.
Also, I'm in southeastern Louisiana. Are you anywhere close to that?
I'm just trying to see if we can narrow down commonalities between our two
situations.

The problem for me is intermittent. It may happen several times in the
course of a few hours.
I have sometimes disconnected the power from the modem, waited at least 30
seconds and reconnected and then restarted the 32-bit machine that's
hard-wired to the modem. Sometimes that seems to fix the problem. But it's
also possible the problem fixed itself during the time when the computer was
shut down and the modem powered down.

 

I'm in eastern Washington. I have a satellite connection thought it was a
problem on the dial-up backup also. My connections lasted approximately 1
1/2 hours before the internet connection stopped. OE Vista Mail, a Java app
and streaming audio continued to work. I tried Firefox and it had the exact
same problem. Rebooting solved the problem each time for me, for about 1
1/2 hours, then after about 4-5 reboots in a day, it would seem to clear up
for the rest of the day most days.

 

I also had the same connection bubble you did, with local - internet and
then only local. Also tried all the ipconfig options I knew of and that
were suggested.

 

And it's strange that I can get to my company's email website -- USING
internet explorer -- while I can't get to any other websites. I guess
that's what local access means.

 

Have u tried updating drivers for your nic card?

 

Try this test for your router.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/using/tools/igd/default.mspx

 

http://www.fiddlertool.com/

Is the Microsoft HTTP debugger

This will list conversations between you and the web site.

If this doesn't give hints you can use Netmon3 to see exactly what is
happening. But you may not be technical enough.

http://www.download3k.com/Install-MISPBO-Network-Monitor.html


And don't forget that Network diaganostics are built into Windows. But in
Vista they nobbled it to prevent you from using it. There is only a stupid
dialog (previously typing

Netsh Diag GUI

would start a GUI diaganostic session). Even command line access has been
nobbled. I did some web searching and many people mustn't try typing before
putting up a web page about it. Even Netsh Connect has disappeared. Also
useless without help AND it's a stupid program that is stateful like an FTP
commandline program,

You have a GUI access to it somewhere in Help and Support. Use Network
Diagnostics as the search term. What a surprise Netdiag isn't in help or
even on the computer. But the functions are built into windows in a user
unfriendly way. (you can also waste time by accessing it in Networking and
Sharing Centre)
http://technet2.microsoft.com/Windo...87ea-4f7a-9806-0b54e1c00a771033.mspx?mfr=true


I can only reccommend going bavk to a working OS with help files and proper
tools like XP or 2000.

 

Is your Email server on your network?

Remember to use tracert (which help is completely unable to give help on - I
couldn't remember the name as it's been years since I last had network
problems - so I tried route in Help and got lots of useless hits - I had to
go look at the files to find the name.)

PathPing, if Microsoft hasn't destroyed this too combines tracert with Ping.
Every stage on the Route gets pinged so if your ISP router (or your ISP's
ISP's Router) is not working properly this will show. But due to DoS attacks
a lot of things refuse pings - so it's less useful these days for public
internet troubleshooting.

IE should, on the page where it says whatever give you a pathetic message
but also allow diagnostics. I have trouble connecting to a handfull of
Americian site - basically the three War Colleges in the US - and it's been
this way for years. After not working (Naval War College) all week I go to
try out Diags on it so it works. So I'm off to download a copy of the review
while I can (if you want to read
http://www.nwc.navy.mil/press/Review/2006/autumn/rtoc-a06.htm)
..

 

I solved the very same problem on a friends laptop yesterday. Exact same
symptoms. Turned out to be the McAfee Security Center. Uninstalled all the
McAfee stuff, installed Avast, Windows Defender, CCleaner and problems were
solved. He had two other machines on the same router, but neither of them
had similar symptoms. One thing I noticed on his laptop was when I
attempted to open a web page, it appeared to go to the site for an instant
and then gave the 404 error and IE7 would show the url as http:// in the
address bar instead of the full url. BTW, I did a thorough investigation
for malware, but nothing showed up.

BullDawg

 

Just a thought...
On the XP machine...uninstall IE7 go back to IE6.
I did that on my XP system and stopped what you are disscribing.
It won't hurt to try you can always go back to IE7.
Another thought...
What firewall are you useing?
Windows firewall blocks sites.for some reason, without you telling it to.
Have you tried browsing with the firewall turned off?
I got a third party firewall and have windows firewall completely dissabled.
A lot smoother web surfing now.

 

So, exactly what do you have to lose by doing a system restore and seeing if
it fixes your problem on one machine, before you get too far away and have
good reasons for not wanting to do it. You can always undo it 24 hours
later if it doesn't help.

 

Just for the sake of clarification, when this occurs it's both machines that
have no internet (read that browsing) capabilities? When one gets it back
the other does as well?

 

I'm not using McAfee, Bill. But thanks for trying.

 

Yes, that is correct, Dshai. Which is why I think the problem must be from
the DSL modem outward.

 

You're asking about my company email server? No. This problem happens when
I'm at home, but I am able to access the web page from which i read my
company emails. Unable to access any other websites that I know of. If I can
find a website that I know for sure is on a server in my city, I would go
looking for it next time I get the local access only problem. (Meanwhile, I
can access my personal email account using Windows Mail.)

Meanwhile, . , thanks for all your other suggestions in your two emails.
It's a lot to digest, but I will try to give one or more of your suggestions
a try.

 

Try the network diagnostics as well. Type it in Help and you'll find it.

 

DP:
Sorry for jumping in rather late.
How about trying to set the MTU default value from 1492 to a lower one?
That once worked for me on another OS.
Don't know how it is done in Vista (the MTU value change).
Carlos