# My pc is just going off-line seemingly randomly.
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [May 2, 2006, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086 "2006-05-02T12:08:03Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2006, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086/1 "2006-05-02T12:08:03Z")
**System:** Windows XP SP2
HP Pavillion
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+
994 MHz 960 MB of RAM
**Connection:** Cable (Comcast)
**Backstory:** I had a Gateway computer and I just bought a new HP computer. The problem didn’t start until I got the new computer so I’m think it’s something in the new computer.
**Problem:** For no apparent reason, the connection to the internet just stops. IE/Firefox won’t connect, neither will trillian. I then have to reboot the computer (and I reboot the modem at the same time) and it works just fine after that until it does this again.
**Additional info:** I’ve run Norton AV, I’ve got the Windows Firewall on (but I have to manually turn it on after every reboot), and have run Ad-Aware as well. I’ve caled Comcast and they said “unplug and plug it back in” and they’re sending someone out on Friday, but if it’s my fault, they’ll charge me for it. I leave my computer on and internet connected pretty much 24/7 and it just randomly and without any warning or pop-ups goes down.
Any help is greatly appreciated 🙂
---
### Author:  [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2006, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086/2 "2006-05-02T12:20:36Z")
Sounds to me like signal strength or signal/noise ratio problems on the cable, or that the modem itself is on the way out.
If you reboot the modem without restarting the PC, then open Start\>Settings\>Network Connections and select ‘repair’ from the right-click menu on your connection to the modem, is connectivity restored?
---
### Author:  [@Racer1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Racer1)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2006, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086/3 "2006-05-02T12:22:54Z")
Is it possible the network card is going into “sleep” mode after a certain amount of idle time?
To check…
1. Right click on “My Computer” and select “Properties” from the list of options.
2. Click on the “Hardware” tab and then “Device Manager”.
3. Click the little “+” sign next to the “Network Adapters” listing.
4. Right click on your network card and select “Properties”.
5. The sleep settings are under the “Power Management” tab.
Aside from that it could be a number of things, including a fault with your modem. Have you noticed any patterns to the problem, such as timings, or it always happening soon after certain tasks?
> [@stpauler](#):
>
> **System:** Windows XP SP2
> HP Pavillion
> AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+
> 994 MHz 960 MB of RAM
>
> **Connection:** Cable (Comcast)
>
> **Backstory:** I had a Gateway computer and I just bought a new HP computer. The problem didn’t start until I got the new computer so I’m think it’s something in the new computer.
>
> **Problem:** For no apparent reason, the connection to the internet just stops. IE/Firefox won’t connect, neither will trillian. I then have to reboot the computer (and I reboot the modem at the same time) and it works just fine after that until it does this again.
>
> **Additional info:** I’ve run Norton AV, I’ve got the Windows Firewall on (but I have to manually turn it on after every reboot), and have run Ad-Aware as well. I’ve caled Comcast and they said “unplug and plug it back in” and they’re sending someone out on Friday, but if it’s my fault, they’ll charge me for it. I leave my computer on and internet connected pretty much 24/7 and it just randomly and without any warning or pop-ups goes down.
>
> Any help is greatly appreciated 🙂
---
### Author:  [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2006, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086/4 "2006-05-02T12:40:05Z")
> [@Racer1](#):
>
> Is it possible the network card is going into “sleep” mode after a certain amount of idle time?
>
> To check…
>
> 1. Right click on “My Computer” and select “Properties” from the list of options.
> 2. Click on the “Hardware” tab and then “Device Manager”.
> 3. Click the little “+” sign next to the “Network Adapters” listing.
> 4. Right click on your network card and select “Properties”.
> 5. The sleep settings are under the “Power Management” tab.
The “allow computer to turn off this device to save power” was ticked on and I switched it off. I have had it go off while I was using it (I was on for about 30 minutes this morning when it went off, for instance).
> [@Racer1](#):
>
> Aside from that it could be a number of things, including a fault with your modem. Have you noticed any patterns to the problem, such as timings, or it always happening soon after certain tasks?
It seems random. There’s nothing out of the ordinary or novel when it goes down. Sometimes it happens when I just have one webpage open and trillian going. Other times I’ve got a bunch of stuff running. There’s no one program that I launch that creates the crash right afterwards.
> [@mangetout](#):
>
> Sounds to me like signal strength or signal/noise ratio problems on the cable, or that the modem itself is on the way out.
>
> If you reboot the modem without restarting the PC, then open Start\>Settings\>Network Connections and select ‘repair’ from the right-click menu on your connection to the modem, is connectivity restored?
I rebooted the modem but didn’t need to repair it, it automatically came back on.
---
### Author:  [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2006, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086/5 "2006-05-02T12:57:46Z")
Are you running wireless or wired? Are you running direct connect or through a router?
If you’re running a router I’d check your router settings (where and what they are depends on the router and, where applicable, the software you’ve installed on your router) and see if Connection Keep-Alive is checked. Probably won’t make a difference but you never know.
If you’re running wireless I’d check your signal strength and, if possible, try running wired for a bit to see if the problem recurs. I’ve had wireless connections inexplicably go dead from time to time where switching to wireless has proved flawless, so there can be issues with WiFi.
If you’re running wired, check your RJ45 cabling to make sure it’s sound. Try a different cable if you have one handy. If rebooting your modem (and nothing else) solves the problem I would check the coax cable, splitter junction(s) and wall outlet to make sure connections are tight.
---
### Author:  [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2006, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086/6 "2006-05-02T13:07:59Z")
> [@stpauler](#):
>
> I rebooted the modem but didn’t need to repair it, it automatically came back on.
That, I think, tends to indicate a problem outside of your PC; that is, with your router (if you have one; you didn’t say, so I’m guessing you don’t), cable modem, or with the cable connection itself.
---
### Author:  [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2006, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086/7 "2006-05-02T13:08:48Z")
> [@Mindfield](#):
>
> Are you running wireless or wired? Are you running direct connect or through a router?
>
> If you’re running a router I’d check your router settings (where and what they are depends on the router and, where applicable, the software you’ve installed on your router) and see if Connection Keep-Alive is checked. Probably won’t make a difference but you never know.
>
> If you’re running wireless I’d check your signal strength and, if possible, try running wired for a bit to see if the problem recurs. I’ve had wireless connections inexplicably go dead from time to time where switching to wireless has proved flawless, so there can be issues with WiFi.
>
> If you’re running wired, check your RJ45 cabling to make sure it’s sound. Try a different cable if you have one handy. If rebooting your modem (and nothing else) solves the problem I would check the coax cable, splitter junction(s) and wall outlet to make sure connections are tight.
I’m running wired straight from the modem to my computer. Everything is tight and checked (but no extra cable here).
Whenever I unplugged or turned off the modem on my Gateway, it would give me a notice that the modem was disconnected, I don’t get that on this one.
---
### Author:  [@PaperBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaperBlob)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2006, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086/8 "2006-05-02T13:24:53Z")
Sounds like the problem we had after we got our cable modem and Comcast service. The Comcast guy fixed it by changing out all of our splitters. I think the new ones are all rated (is that the right term?) for 900 Mhz. Didn’t cost us a penny, though the repairman looked like this :dubious: when he saw how many times our cable was split.
---
### Author:  [@PaperBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaperBlob)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2006, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086/9 "2006-05-02T13:29:22Z")
I forgot to say that our problems didn’t start until a couple of months after we got our service. I guess one or more of the splitters just decided to go bad at that point.
---
### Author:  [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2006, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086/10 "2006-05-02T13:46:08Z")
> [@stpauler](#):
>
> I’m running wired straight from the modem to my computer. Everything is tight and checked (but no extra cable here).
>
> Whenever I unplugged or turned off the modem on my Gateway, it would give me a notice that the modem was disconnected, I don’t get that on this one.
Is the modem connected to the computer via USB or RJ45 ethernet cable?
---
### Author:  [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2006, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086/11 "2006-05-02T15:41:38Z")
> [@Mindfield](#):
>
> Is the modem connected to the computer via USB or RJ45 ethernet cable?
It’s not USB, it’s that big phone plug lookin’ thing.
Thanks for all the responses so far by the way.
---
### Author:  [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2006, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086/12 "2006-05-02T17:20:42Z")
Long shot here; when you look at the network connection in Start\>Settings\>Network Connections, is it just called ‘Local Area Network Connection’, or is it ‘Local Area Network Connection #6’ or some such?
---
### Author:  [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2006, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086/13 "2006-05-02T18:15:37Z")
Does rebooting your PC alone clear the problem?
How about just using ‘repair’ on the connection?
Does your modem indicate different lights when the connection drops than otherwise? (Just out of curiosity, what make/model modem do you have?)
Do you have another PC you can connect and test the connection with (you _would_ have to power cycle the modem in this case).
If you end up getting charged and you really don’t want to be, a CSR will reverse the charge if you call and ask nicely. (Well, also if you call and ask not-nicely too, but then they’ll think you’re a dink).
---
### Author:  [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2006, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086/14 "2006-05-02T20:02:52Z")
I just bought a Dell and I’m having the exact same problem! I use Comcast and had a Gateway with Win98. I haven’t called Comcast yet.
I can add a little data to this. [ul][li]The modem lights are normal.[_]There doesn’t seem to be any pattern to the time or length of the problem. [_]During this the task manager networking tab shows that I’m still receiving about 2k bytes per second. [_]I can open a command prompt and ping and tracert just fine. [_]Sometimes pages will load, but extremely slowly.[/ul]I have not tried the “repair” function.[/li]
I seem to remember I had a somewhat similar problem a while back, although I’m unsure if it’s related. All of my memories are extremely vague. A rep told me to run winipcfg and release and renew the IP address for the connection. I don’t remember how it was resolved, but a service visit was not needed.
In the last few weeks with my old computer, once or twice I couldn’t get a connection when I first powered on the machine. Modem power-cycling didn’t work. A reboot did. I have had this occur occasionally before, but not for some time.
---
### Author:  [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2006, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086/15 "2006-05-02T22:47:44Z")
> [@Mangetout](#):
>
> Long shot here; when you look at the network connection in Start\>Settings\>Network Connections, is it just called ‘Local Area Network Connection’, or is it ‘Local Area Network Connection #6’ or some such?
It’s the ‘Local Area Network Connection’.
I did just run a Network Diagnostic and this came up (but I’m still online right now):
Network Adapters FAILED
[00000001] Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC (FAILED)
Caption = [00000001] Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC
DatabasePath = %SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\etc
DefaultIPGateway = 24.245.4.1(Same Subnet) (PASSED)
Pinging 24.245.4.1 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 24.245.4.1: bytes=32 time=8ms TTL=8
Reply from 24.245.4.1: bytes=32 time=7ms TTL=7
Reply from 24.245.4.1: bytes=32 time=7ms TTL=7
Reply from 24.245.4.1: bytes=32 time=9ms TTL=9
Ping statistics for 24.245.4.1:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss)
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 7ms, Maximum = 9ms, Average = 7ms
Description = Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC - Packet Scheduler Miniport
DHCPEnabled = TRUE
DHCPLeaseExpires = 10:59:06 AM 6/7/2005
DHCPLeaseObtained = 10:49:06 AM 6/7/2005
DHCPServer = 10.1.1.1 (FAILED)
Pinging 10.1.1.1 with 32 bytes of data:
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Ping statistics for 10.1.1.1:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 0, Lost = 4 (100% loss)
DNSDomain = [sgt.cpqcorp.net](http://sgt.cpqcorp.net)
DNSEnabledForWINSResolution = FALSE
DNSHostName = \_
DomainDNSRegistrationEnabled = FALSE
FullDNSRegistrationEnabled = TRUE
GatewayCostMetric = 20
Index = 1
IPAddress = 24.245.6.218 (FAILED)
Pinging 24.245.6.218 with 32 bytes of data:
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Ping statistics for 24.245.6.218:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 0, Lost = 4 (100% loss)
IPConnectionMetric = 20
IPEnabled = TRUE
IPFilterSecurityEnabled = FALSE
IPSecPermitIPProtocols = 0
IPSecPermitTCPPorts = 0
IPSecPermitUDPPorts = 0
IPSubnet = 255.255.252.0
IPXEnabled = FALSE
MACAddress = 00:13:D3:BB:B8:CC
ServiceName = RTL8139
SettingID = {24C35E9D-43DE-47B3-8C8D-C6AC403DF807}
TcpipNetbiosOptions = 0
WINSEnableLMHostsLookup = TRUE
[00000002] Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC (FAILED)
Caption = [00000002] Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC
DatabasePath = %SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\etc
DefaultIPGateway = 24.245.4.1(Same Subnet) (PASSED)
Pinging 24.245.4.1 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 24.245.4.1: bytes=32 time=7ms TTL=7
Reply from 24.245.4.1: bytes=32 time=5ms TTL=5
Reply from 24.245.4.1: bytes=32 time=10ms TTL=10
Reply from 24.245.4.1: bytes=32 time=6ms TTL=6
Ping statistics for 24.245.4.1:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss)
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 5ms, Maximum = 10ms, Average = 7ms
Description = Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC - Packet Scheduler Miniport
DHCPEnabled = TRUE
DHCPLeaseExpires = 10:01:45 AM 5/4/2006
DHCPLeaseObtained = 6:29:29 AM 5/2/2006
DHCPServer = 68.87.77.10 (PASSED)
Pinging 68.87.77.10 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 68.87.77.10: bytes=32 time=30ms TTL=30
Reply from 68.87.77.10: bytes=32 time=31ms TTL=31
Reply from 68.87.77.10: bytes=32 time=32ms TTL=32
Reply from 68.87.77.10: bytes=32 time=33ms TTL=33
Ping statistics for 68.87.77.10:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss)
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 30ms, Maximum = 33ms, Average = 31ms
DNSDomain = [hsd1.mn.comcast.net](http://hsd1.mn.comcast.net).
DNSEnabledForWINSResolution = FALSE
DNSHostName = \_
DNSServerSearchOrder (PASSED)
68.87.77.130 (PASSED)
Pinging 68.87.77.130 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 68.87.77.130: bytes=32 time=31ms TTL=31
Reply from 68.87.77.130: bytes=32 time=34ms TTL=34
Reply from 68.87.77.130: bytes=32 time=35ms TTL=35
Reply from 68.87.77.130: bytes=32 time=31ms TTL=31
Ping statistics for 68.87.77.130:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss)
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 31ms, Maximum = 35ms, Average = 32ms
68.87.72.130 (PASSED)
Pinging 68.87.72.130 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 68.87.72.130: bytes=32 time=30ms TTL=30
Reply from 68.87.72.130: bytes=32 time=35ms TTL=35
Reply from 68.87.72.130: bytes=32 time=33ms TTL=33
Reply from 68.87.72.130: bytes=32 time=31ms TTL=31
Ping statistics for 68.87.72.130:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss)
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 30ms, Maximum = 35ms, Average = 32ms
DomainDNSRegistrationEnabled = FALSE
FullDNSRegistrationEnabled = TRUE
GatewayCostMetric = 20
Index = 2
IPAddress = 24.245.6.218 (FAILED)
Pinging 24.245.6.218 with 32 bytes of data:
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Ping statistics for 24.245.6.218:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 0, Lost = 4 (100% loss)
IPConnectionMetric = 20
IPEnabled = TRUE
IPFilterSecurityEnabled = FALSE
IPSecPermitIPProtocols = 0
IPSecPermitTCPPorts = 0
IPSecPermitUDPPorts = 0
IPSubnet = 255.255.252.0
IPXEnabled = FALSE
MACAddress = 00:13:D3:BB:B8:CC
ServiceName = RTL8023xp
SettingID = {D75D2718-5DCA-445B-9EAD-3C0C5C338238}
TcpipNetbiosOptions = 0
WINSEnableLMHostsLookup = TRUE
[00000012] SiS 900-Based PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter (FAILED)
---
### Author:  [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2006, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086/16 "2006-05-02T23:30:04Z")
> [@rowrrbazzle](#):
>
> I just bought a Dell and I’m having the exact same problem! I use Comcast and had a Gateway with Win98. I haven’t called Comcast yet.
>
> I can add a little data to this. [ul][li]The modem lights are normal.[_]There doesn’t seem to be any pattern to the time or length of the problem. [_]During this the task manager networking tab shows that I’m still receiving about 2k bytes per second. [_]I can open a command prompt and ping and tracert just fine. [_]Sometimes pages will load, but extremely slowly.[/ul]I have not tried the “repair” function.[/li]
> I seem to remember I had a somewhat similar problem a while back, although I’m unsure if it’s related. All of my memories are extremely vague. A rep told me to run winipcfg and release and renew the IP address for the connection. I don’t remember how it was resolved, but a service visit was not needed.
>
> In the last few weeks with my old computer, once or twice I couldn’t get a connection when I first powered on the machine. Modem power-cycling didn’t work. A reboot did. I have had this occur occasionally before, but not for some time.
IIRC it has to be at least 98SE
---
### Author:  [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2006, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086/17 "2006-05-02T23:33:47Z")
> [@stpauler](#):
>
> It’s the ‘Local Area Network Connection’.
>
> I did just run a Network Diagnostic and this came up (but I’m still online right now):
> Network Adapters FAILED
> [00000001] Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC (FAILED)
>
> [00000012] SiS 900-Based PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter (FAILED)
Do you have 2 NIC’s or a motherboard integrated NIC and another plugged in NIC? If so you might want to try disabling one.
---
### Author:  [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2006, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086/18 "2006-05-02T23:38:34Z")
> [@drachillix](#):
>
> Do you have 2 NIC’s or a motherboard integrated NIC and another plugged in NIC? If so you might want to try disabling one.
Sorry, I have no idea what that means. How do I go about figuring that out?
---
### Author:  [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)
#### Post date: [May 3, 2006, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086/19 "2006-05-03T00:24:53Z")
Alright, a friend suggested switching the speed/duplex thing to force 10 and he thinks that might cure it.
---
### Author:  [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)
#### Post date: [May 3, 2006, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-is-just-going-off-line-seemingly-randomly/355086/20 "2006-05-03T06:07:06Z")
> [@stpauler](#):
>
> Sorry, I have no idea what that means. How do I go about figuring that out?
From the item I quoted it looked like ther might be two network adapters. Sometimes having two different network adapters can make for a bit of chaos.