Timeout errors (I think)

[tomntmj]

I have spent hours on the phone with MS about this (escalted to top level). I have also spent hours with two hardware Vendors (NetGear and SOHO).

I am on Earthlink DSL (non PPPOE). If I have my "router/firewall" in place (either Netgear or SOHO NBG800). I cannot complete a session on WINDOWS UPDATE, HOTMAIL (inbox), and some other non MS sites (like for registration of a new product). I get all the way to "Install Updates" or "Submit Registration" and XP-PRO times out and the process fails (the error messages are pretty meaningless).

I bypass the router and everything works fine, even if I activate ZoneAlarm or BlackIce (which I do NOT run when the hardware router/firewall is in place). I/We (MS and other Vendors) have tried alls sorts of configuration changes (MTU, SSL, etc) all to no avail.

To make matters worse, I have diconnected and reconnected my router enough times that XP has asked me (once so far) to "reactivate" my license, because it thinks I have added all sorts of "new" hardware to my system.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Tom Nefeldt, Chicago, IL USA

[DA Master]

Very interesting, have you tried updating to WinXP SP1

[tomntmj]

Actually I was unable to get SP1 via the Update page becasue of the problem. So I downloaded the whole file from a different MS site, and installed it manually. Still had/have the problem. Thanks for the suggestion though, much appreciated.

Tom Nefeldt

[DA Master]

Have you got a third-party download manager such as Download Accelerator or GetRight. If so then Microsoft says that you should deactivate them or the connection will timeout.

[tomntmj]

During my couple of weeks with MS on the phone every night (and email), we disabled everything at one time or another. MS did tell me they had a couple of others with the same problem before, but had gotten them resolved. They said it appeard to be the router, and I should deal with the MFG, which is when I changed routers, only to still have the same problem.

I don't know what changed along the way, but it did work at one time with the original router, and basically the same software components installed. It's really baffeling.

Thanks,
Tom

[DA Master]

Have you tried updating you router drivers and things like that.

[tomntmj]

Yep, did a firmware upgrade, then a downgrade then back to the upgrade. Turned off all security on IE6, and setup trusted "companies".

Tom

[DA Master]

How about IE6 SP1?

[tomntmj]

Yep, every patch I can find.

Thanks,
Tom

[DA Master]

How about your Anti-Virus software. Might be blocking something if it guards Internet Sites.