Why after 4 years is Windows 7 such a pain with networking

dipper17 · 23 Feb 2013 at 14:08

Hi

Why after all this time is Windows 7 such a pain with networking. My system goes on for long periods connecting to the BTHomeHub and to the outside world, then periodically it decides it can't trust anyone and blocks all connection to the internet with a RED X between the network and the outside world. Anybody any ideas on why and how I can stop it.

I know the obvious answer is "buy a Mac" but I need Windows for Flight Sim :mad:

Orcvader · 23 Feb 2013 at 14:25

Surely if the red x is between the network and the internet, the problem lies with the BT home hub?

dipper17 · 23 Feb 2013 at 14:27

you would have thought that but it is Windows problem. I've seen the same with other people's machine with different hubs, different providers. Looks like it's Bill's problem! See Google Thanks

Orcvader · 23 Feb 2013 at 14:29

Have you tried updating your network drivers?

On Windows 7 here with the BT Home Hub 3 (although recently replaced for better wireless) and it's been fine for all the PCs in the house.

Destination · 23 Feb 2013 at 14:39

Utterly fine on a hh3, with win7 on two computers and several wireless devices connecting.

nightmare99 · 23 Feb 2013 at 14:40

Are you running any third part firewall?

dipper17 · 23 Feb 2013 at 14:44

Just like this with No Firewall, No AV software, all updates done. Latest drivers for network card. Windows has just decided that it has an untrusted network and will not connect anymore. Still able to see things on my side of the network such as the hub, the Apple MacBook and printers, just does not like the outside world.

Thanks

dipper17 · 23 Feb 2013 at 14:45

HomeHub has worked fine since May and works fine with the Mac's (2x macbook, iPad, iPod) just seems to be a wndows issue. Doing all this on my Mac.

Orcvader · 23 Feb 2013 at 14:47

What network card is it? I had a PC with an Nvidia based one, and it kept randomly deciding the network was a new network every now and then. Shoved in an Intel network card and solved the problem.

dipper17 · 23 Feb 2013 at 15:19

Hi

It's the Atheros AR8151 built in to the motherboard (Gigabyte)

Cheers

Destination · 23 Feb 2013 at 15:57

Have you a second port on that mobo?

dipper17 · 23 Feb 2013 at 16:22

No afraid not, only the one!

Thanks

linktoinsanity · 23 Feb 2013 at 16:42

Is the Windows firewall disabled as well?

If so and you have no antivirus software or third party firewall then there is a chance you have a virus on your PC. Download some free antivirus software, such as Avast Free Edition, make sure it is updated and run a virus scan.

Also, check you DCHP and networking settings.

mattyg · 23 Feb 2013 at 16:47

Mine does that regularly but I reboot my modem. Never once thought it was windows

chaparral · 23 Feb 2013 at 17:07

dipper17 said:
then periodically it decides it can't trust anyone and blocks all connection to the internet with a RED X between the network and the outside world. Anybody any ideas on why and how I can stop it.:

windows 7 use to always be loosing my internet connection and coming up with a red cross whenever I had to many browser windows or tabs open..

I.E
When I opened say somewhere around 30 internet browser windows it would loose the connection and put a Red X on the network icon..
Windows 8 doesn't do this,It locks up or auto restarts instead..

dipper17 · 23 Feb 2013 at 17:20

Hi

It was doing this with shields up, more firewalls than you can shake a stick at. I have AVG firewall and AV going. When I take everything down it is just the same. I'll try switching everything off and booting again. The only trouble is BT will see the modem off on as a line drop and therefore will slow my line down thinking I have problems. XP never used to do this with the same type of setup!

pepp77 · 23 Feb 2013 at 17:43

Never had this problem whilst using 100s of Win7 machines over the years.

On Holiday · 23 Feb 2013 at 17:50

dipper17 said:
The only trouble is BT will see the modem off on as a line drop and therefore will slow my line down thinking I have problems

Quite the opposite for me, if they see no usage they increase speeds.

My downstream connection is usually 1000~ kbps, but if I leave the router unplugged for a weekend then it'll get up to 1800~ kbps.

Sin_Chase · 23 Feb 2013 at 18:33

dipper17 said:
you would have thought that but it is Windows problem. I've seen the same with other people's machine with different hubs, different providers. Looks like it's Bill's problem! See Google Thanks

How do you know it's a Windows problem when you do not know what is causing it?

It's more likely to be your hardware/installed software or a configuration problem.

edscdk · 23 Feb 2013 at 18:39

Sin_Chase said:
How do you know it's a Windows problem when you do not know what is causing it?

It's more likely to be your hardware/installed software or a configuration problem.

I do a lot of windows 7 home user support, its not likely to be windows fault.. probably a firewall tahts been installed on windows / user error / legi internet issue..

infact i dont think i have seen one screwed windows install that had this issue