Wireless Connection Dropping

[eli_pwnd]

I have a Zyxel M-302 PCI wireless care in my computer. Everything had been hunky dory with it and uTorrent downloading. It worked perfectly through two motherboards, different locations throughout the house and even on other networks. And then, about two Windows installs ago, our perfect relationship was ruined.

I used nLite to create a Windows XP SP3 custom install disk with my wireless drivers packaged inside of it. It was all good until I fired up uTorrent. A couple of minutes later, all internet activity stopped and Windows gave me an error message saying "Wireless network 2 not available" or something along those lines. So I just shrugged it off and restarted the computer and everything was fine until I fired up uTorrent again and shortly thereafter, I get the same error message. So after a few weeks of dealing with it, I created a nLite'd XP SP2 disk with drivers. Same problem. Then a SP3 disk with no drivers. Same problem.

I have also started noticing that the same thing happens when I try to upload to Youtube or download a huge file.

System specs: AMD AthlonX2 4800+, Asus M2R32-MVP (AMD 580 chipset), ATI 2600 HD, 2 GB Corsair XMS2+ DDR2 800. And my CPU is overclocked to 2.9 ghz. Running the uTorrent 1.8 beta. I get the same problem with the stable build.

[Firon]

You're probably crashing your router.

[eli_pwnd]

That's not it, cause we have at any given time 2-4 computer hooked up to the wireless router. And when I lose the connections, they experience no problems.

[Firon]

Well, easiest way to find out is swap the NIC with another one.

[eli_pwnd]

Have. Sister has same card. Switched. Same problem on my computer, not on hers.

Edit

Could disabling UPNP and NAT-PMP fix this problem?

[Firon]

Not likely, though you could give it a try.

Are you using the latest version of utorrent? 1.7.7 is the latest stable. You can also try the 1.8 beta (see the Announcements subforum).

[eli_pwnd]

I've used both, but I am currently using the 1.8 beta (awesome, btw).

Edit:

Just updated my BIOS. No dice. Did fix my soundcard though...

[Firon]

Well, it certainly couldn't hurt to try the stuff here. http://forum.utorrent.com/viewtopic.php?id=15992#p258231

You may also wanna post a HijackThis log. Could be something as dumb as a firewall freaking out.

[eli_pwnd]

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2

Scan saved at 9:52:55 PM, on 6/15/2008

Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)

MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16674)

Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:

C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe

C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\acs.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe

C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgwdsvc.exe

C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe

C:\Program Files\Google\Update\1.1.25.0\GoogleUpdate.exe

C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgrsx.exe

C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgemc.exe

C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE

C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgtray.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe

C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\MOM.exe

C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock\ObjectDock.exe

C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\ccc.exe

C:\Program Files\Last.fm\LastFM.exe

C:\Program Files\Pidgin\pidgin.exe

C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCleaner.exe

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe

C:\Program Files\Winamp\winamp.exe

C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896

R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157

R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=74005

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Internet Explorer 7

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local

O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgssie.dll

O2 - BHO: Google Update Class - {6F282C89-3BD3-4387-92D9-C76428B07E07} - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\1.1.25.0\GoopdateBho.dll

O2 - BHO: Google Gears Helper - {E0FEFE40-FBF9-42AE-BA58-794CA7E3FB53} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Gears\Internet Explorer\0.3.24.0\gears.dll

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG8_TRAY] C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgtray.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [startCCC] "C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe"

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [bluetoothAuthenticationAgent] rundll32.exe bthprops.cpl,,BluetoothAuthenticationAgent

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe

O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\RunOnce: [nltide_2] regsvr32 /s /n /i:U shell32 (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')

O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\RunOnce: [nltide_3] rundll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSectionEx nLite.inf,C,,4,N (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')

O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\RunOnce: [nltide_2] regsvr32 /s /n /i:U shell32 (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')

O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\RunOnce: [nltide_2] regsvr32 /s /n /i:U shell32 (User 'SYSTEM')

O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\RunOnce: [nltide_2] regsvr32 /s /n /i:U shell32 (User 'Default user')

O4 - Startup: Stardock ObjectDock.lnk = C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock\ObjectDock.exe

O4 - Global Startup: AutorunsDisabled

O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions present

O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present

O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {09C04DA7-5B76-4EBC-BBEE-B25EAC5965F5} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Gears\Internet Explorer\0.3.24.0\gears.dll

O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &Google Gears Settings - {09C04DA7-5B76-4EBC-BBEE-B25EAC5965F5} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Gears\Internet Explorer\0.3.24.0\gears.dll

O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe

O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe

O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgpp.dll

O20 - AppInit_DLLs: avgrsstx.dll

O23 - Service: Atheros Configuration Service (ACS) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\acs.exe

O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe

O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe

O23 - Service: AVG8 E-mail Scanner (avg8emc) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgemc.exe

O23 - Service: AVG8 WatchDog (avg8wd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgwdsvc.exe

O23 - Service: ##Id_String1.6844F930_1628_4223_B5CC_5BB94B879762## (Bonjour Service) - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe

O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Macrovision Europe Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe

O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate1c8cda8d3616c5a) (gupdate1c8cda8d3616c5a) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\1.1.25.0\GoogleUpdate.exe

--

End of file - 5357 bytes

Tried all of those suggestions, except for the tcpip.sys patch (too many bad experiences with tweaking system files.)

[Firon]

Have you tried a Windows install that has NOT been touched by nLite?

And I'd give uninstalling AVG a try

[eli_pwnd]

Actually, after poking around on the TCPIP patching site, I think I know what my problem is. It says XP pre-SP2 had unlimited connections. And after some reflecting, all the operating systems I had before nLite were SP1 or before. Might this be a solution?

And I ran that patch thing and it was working nicely. And then I restarted. And now the problem is back.

[GTHK]

The patch shouldn't take effect till restart. How many network enabled programs are you running? Did you click cancel on the system file replacement? Did you try repatching? Did you try uninstalling AVG? What is µTorrents max half open setting on?

When setting up unattended on nLite, does that remove the already embedded Windows key?

[eli_pwnd]

Well, the other day, my DSL router was fried in a thunderstorm. So in the downtime, I took out my old XP disk that predates SP1 and installed it manually on my computer with a clean install. Got everything running really good. uTorrent was running at 150+ kpbs. Until I installed AVG 8. After it was installed, my wireless connection was hopelessly lost.

I'm about to install avast, cause AVG 8 has given me nothing but trouble. Question: Has AVG 8 been giving other people problems?

[Ultima]

I've seen lots of complaints about AVG 8 scattered across the Internet. IIRC, people mostly complained about the Internet filter included in it.

[eli_pwnd]

At any given moment, I usually have uTorrent, Firefox, Pidgin, Last.Fm and possibly more accessing the internet. This hasn't been a problem in the past, but I'm starting to fear this might be causing the problems. Which is odd, cause I didn't use to have these problems.

Running avast 4 right now and so far no problems...

***Update:Problem Solved***

The problem was not with uTorrent, operating system, anti-virus, or wireless card, but with my semi-recently installed Creative Sound card. Apparently, my PCI bandwidth couldn't handle both the wireless card and the sound card. The removal of the sound card and reverting to the use of onboard sound now allows my wireless card to work fantastically and makes popping noises when playing music.

Thank you for your help.