Can internet connection crash a pc?

Soldato
Joined
13 Oct 2006
Posts
8,155
Location
Surrey
I have a problem in that my pc keeps locking up in games (see my million other posts), so i took it to a mates to test his gfx card etc. I started up my pc and gave it a test before we took things apart. It worked beautifully, never crashed at all, even after a few rounds of BF2 which normally crashes after 1 round.
I get it home tonight, play 10 mins of BF2 and wham, it happens again.
Im at my wits end here, i cannot work it out!
 
First I'd test it several more times to check that it really is dependant on the PC's location - it's the sort of thing that it's easy to imagine.

If you're sure it's correct, then it's much more likely to be your electricity supply than your internet connection - if the voltage fluctuates it could cause crashes.
 
If your just on desktop I'd say no, but if you mean your game is locking up, like you said BF2, then you may be losing internet connectivity?
To check this, enable your internet connection, and watch the little icon in the system tray for 5mins to see if it disconnects at all.
 
tried running stock, swapping psu with your friend, swapping ram with friend - those would be ym first bets.

yes, internet conenction an crash a pc - if you include "connecton" to me "vunerable to the right virus's" eg, the blaster worm...
 
I suppose an internet connection has the potential to crash a PC in a few ways


1) If the PC is connected to the modem via USB, and the modem's USB drivers are flakey.

2) If the PC is connected to a router or directly to the modem via an ethernet connection, and the ethernet's card drivers are flakey or not installed correctly.

3) If the modem is connected to a router, and the router is flakey or not installed correctly.

4) A decent firewall is not installed and/or configured correctly, and is letting attacks through.

5) A firewall is not installed, the latest Windows Updates are not installed, and the PC is being attacked by somebody exploiting vulnerabilites otherwise unexplotable when a specific Windows Update is installed.


So, in short, update the machine's drivers - not just the network card's or USB drivers (as applicable), but any other drivers you can think of too. Such as chipset, graphics, sound.

Once the drivers are installed, install a good firewall if one is not already installed. I would be content with Sygate (which I use), or maybe Zone Alarm.

After a good firewall is installed, check http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ for the latest Windows Updates.
 
Cheers guys, i think i've narrowed it down to power. We worked out that the only differences in the two locations was the power supply and the internet. My pc is plugged into an extension lead thing, so i unplugged that and plugged it straight into the wall. This meant i got through 2 rounds before it crashed, a definite improvement.
Then i changed the kettle lead and managed to get through more rounds and it hasnt crashed yet *fingers crossed*
Im hoping its the cable as thats a simple fix. My router is running latest firmware etc, and im using onboard LAN with no vista drivers so i cant update them. Im just going to have to hope that its the cable :)
 
Back
Top Bottom