[foot-loose]

Ok, there are some folks on here that seem to enjoy a good technical problem so here's a humdinger for ya.

When I access certain sites for a length of time (this appears to be random), eventually the computer freezes and I cant get into the site. Now the various things I don't get about this problem are:

1)Its not every website. The main ones I have noticed it being are this site, bebo and ebay. It also appears to affect me getting onto my own webspace as well. However, I can still get into and search Google and the BBC etc - listen again keeps playing away quite happily as does MSN. If it was an internet problem, surely it would affect all websites?
2)To get around this problem, all I need to do is restart my router. The problem happens on every computer connected to the router, so I can't trace it to one PC.
3)If I leave it for a few minutes it seems to sort itself of its own accord.

Now, this leads me to think that it must be a problem with the router, but having spent ages looking through all the settings on it, there is nothing that sticks out as a potential issue. Its not something that has always happened, its only been for the past few months - I can't think of anything that has been done that would affect the connection.

Im on a Virgin (formally NTL) cable connection and using a Belkin router.

Anyone got any thoughts?

[Ballbag]

Stop looking at porn.

[Console]

...eventually the computer freezes...

...this leads me to think that it must be a problem with the router...

If your computer is freezing it is unlikely to be an external piece of hardware. It's more likely to be a piece of hardware within your computer, or your operating system (which I assume to be Windows).

[foot-loose]

...eventually the computer freezes...

...this leads me to think that it must be a problem with the router...

If your computer is freezing it is unlikely to be an external piece of hardware. It's more likely to be a piece of hardware within your computer, or your operating system (which I assume to be Windows).

Sorry, poor phrasing on my part - the computer doesnt freeze, the internet does - it takes ages tryong to open a website, then comes up with the classic "This page cannot be displayed".

I'm using Internet Explorer.

[Yudster]

Sounds like a network issue.

[MK Chris]

Don't use Belkin.

[foot-loose]

Belkin has been fine for a couple of years now though - why would it give up now?

[Console]

Ah, in that case then it's because there's a router somewhere (I'm not sure if it's NTL/Virgin owned, or slightly more upstream), that's on the blink and needs replacing, which seems to lock up on occasions. Usually the internet would route around such problems, but technically the router is still online and accepting connections so all the other routers still send it data.

[Yudster]

It sounds exactly like the issue we had with our home network last year -if I can find out more, like how we solved it, I will let you know.

[Console]

Well, there's no local fix, the only option would be to ring up NTL/Virgin tech. support and get them onto it, but I don't really feel like spending a couple of weeks on hold, so I haven't bothered yet.

Actually, thinking about it, using a non-NTL/Virgin proxy could help route around the problem, although finding a decent reliable one may be a bit difficult.

[DemonHorse]

Well, there's no local fix, the only option would be to ring up NTL/Virgin tech. support and get them onto it, but I don't really feel like spending a couple of weeks on hold, so I haven't bothered yet.

or paying for that as you have to now.

[foot-loose]

Ah, in that case then it's because there's a router somewhere (I'm not sure if it's NTL/Virgin owned, or slightly more upstream), that's on the blink and needs replacing, which seems to lock up on occasions. Usually the internet would route around such problems, but technically the router is still online and accepting connections so all the other routers still send it data.

So you think its a problem at their end rather than mine?

Why does resetting my router solve the problem temporarily though?

[Console]

Do you have to pay for tech. support now? I thought that the three-digit number from NTL/Virgin phones was free? At least it used to be.

[Console]

So you think its a problem at their end rather than mine?

Yeah, it's happens to me sometimes, as well as a few of my friends.

Why does resetting my router solve the problem temporarily though?

It only generally lasts a minute or two, so by the time you've gone and reset your router it's probably self-repaired anyway.

[foot-loose]

So you think its a problem at their end rather than mine?

Yeah, it's happens to me sometimes, as well as a few of my friends.

Why does resetting my router solve the problem temporarily though?

It only generally lasts a minute or two, so by the time you've gone and reset your router it's probably self-repaired anyway.

Gahh - it just happened there.

Its been doing it for months now, and it can happen every ten minutes now - it gets bloody frustrating after a while. Plus, im not sure if it self repairing itself coz if i leave it be, it can take a while for it to sort itself out (ten mins or so) but if i reset the router (takes about 30 seconds) its back up and running straight away?

I don't really fancy phoning them and going through the rigmarole of "have you turned off your modem and left it for 30 seconds and unplugged it from the computer?". And that will invariably be said by someone which doesn't have english as their native tounge.

[MK Chris]

Is it not possible it could be his router causing the pauses? In which case, it could be worth checking for a firmware update?

[foot-loose]

i updated the firmware about two weeks ago - it made no difference.

[Console]

It is possible that it's something his end as well, but as other has experienced the same problem (with and without their own routers) it's unlikely.

[DemonHorse]

Do you have to pay for tech. support now? I thought that the three-digit number from NTL/Virgin phones was free? At least it used to be.

They changed it when they changed to Virgin Media, or possibly more recently. I have a BT line though so not sure about NTL phones etc.

[MK Chris]

Come to think of it, I have a similar problem at work and our network (the WAN and internet side) is handled by Telewest/NTL/Virgin.

I tend to find it happens on the one request; if I click in the address bar and press enter again, it's fine. Obviously you could click 'submit' again if you are posting, but you run the risk of double-posting, if it's just a slow connection.

*copies post before clicking submit just in case*

[fish heads]

The 3 digit number still exists, but you can't actually talk to a human on it - as I found out when I rung it last week.

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

Ohh can you talk to the animals?

I'd like to talk to a Camel.

[DemonHorse]

Thats the Doctor Dolittle Hotline you're thinking of Gaspode, NTL only allow you to speak to robots, and not even cool ones like Cyberman or Autons.

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

The Dolittle Hotline? Isn't that Fujitsu?

[foot-loose]

Ahh well, ill let it be at the moment.

Thanks for the help though, people.