BleepingComputer.com: Similar problem with two different browsers

I recently replaced my old desktop pc with a Medion Akoya laptop running Vista Home Premium and IE7. I have an ADSL broadband connection and connect wirelessly via a Linksys 'n' router (my laptop has a wlan 'n' facility).
After browsing for some 45 minutes I find that IE7 grinds to a halt and I can no longer access web-sites. Closing and re-opening IE7 makes no difference. Re-booting the pc resolves the issue and I can then resume browsing. One significant factor is that when I reach this 'bottleneck' a restart takes much longer than normal with the hdd light flickering away madly while I'm waiting for the pc to shut down.

I have Zonealarm, Netmeter, and Avast installed - but I used all three of these progs with IE7 on my last pc without problem.

I have tried various things to resolve the issue, including disabling the phishing filter - but nothing works. It's as though some software in the background is permitting a certain amount of download, and then blocking the connection.

I have installed Firefox to see if a different browser will resolve the issue - but it doesn't. Exactly the same problem arises with Firefox!

Any suggestions would be most welcome!

Kev

Is it possible that you moved outside the range of your router?

Nope. Being an 'n' router - the range coverage is excellent and the problem occurs in different locations in the house. I've also tried relocating the router - but it makes no difference!

Checked your HOSTS file?

I've now resolved the issue by uninstalling Zone Alarm. I've been using this firewall for several years without problem, but on my new laptop with Vista it caused the problems I outlined in the initial post. Simply relying on Vista Firewall for the time being!
Thanks for your suggestions however.

Kev

Your Linksys router has a built in firewall that is far more effictive than anything you could impliment in software on your PC. It is unlikely you need even the Vista firewall but it likely won't hurt.

A hardware firewall like the router acts as a screen. The world knows all PCs on your LAN as the IP address that is assigned to your router by your ISP. The actual IP address of your PC is assigned by the router and is known only to the router. Your only problem might be when you pick up your laptop and walk outside your LAN.

Uno-Hoo!, on Nov 19 2008, 12:11 PM, said:

thanks for informing us